Shorties Or Long Tube?

billison said:

It took me several days plus lifting the motor to remove the long tubes

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Several days bro? Working 15 minutes each day are we?

I'm not going to say LT's are an easy install for everyone but they're not that difficult. Driver side gets installed from underneath and I didn't have to remove the steering shaft, only had to remove the clutch fork cover. Passenger side requires more effort but maybe takes an hour to unbolt two engine mount bolts, push engine toward drivers side a little, drop LT down, tighten engine mounts. I've done this 3 times in the last 3 years, it's not that difficult. Each time i've used copper RTV gasket maker with zero issues with the supplied BBK header bolts. A dab of RTV on the header bolts and things are all good.

FoxMustangLvr said:

Several days bro? Working 15 minutes each day are we?

I'm not going to say LT's are an easy install for everyone but they're not that difficult. Driver side gets installed from underneath and I didn't have to remove the steering shaft, only had to remove the clutch fork cover. Passenger side requires more effort but maybe takes an hour to unbolt two engine mount bolts, push engine toward drivers side a little, drop LT down, tighten engine mounts. I've done this 3 times in the last 3 years, it's not that difficult. Each time i've used copper RTV gasket maker with zero issues with the supplied BBK header bolts. A dab of RTV on the header bolts and things are all good.

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Basically yeah. I'd head out for a double hours a day. The size and type of header makes a huge difference. My steering shaft went through the headers and had to be removed. On the passenger side, even with the mounts removed I had to both lift and shift the motor to remove them. Still needed up removing the starter for clearance. Mine also still had the full size starter. It's not end of the world. Just a lot of hassle.

Had 1 5/8" BBK ceramic coated LTs. With a McLeod Scattershield, I needed a dremel to make a little room for the passenger header, and like already noted, access to a lift is a huge help so you can install from underneath. +1 for Copper RTV instead of gaskets. Just make sure the mating surfaces are good and flat. Last, on the BBK's I recommend opening up the flange and the ports as much as possible while still getting a good seal. Don't go too crazy on the ports or you might create a leak. Loved the sound, and ceramic BBK's look awesome. Also, never had any problems with bumps, even with FMS C-springs. Heat was less of an issue that with equal-length shorties. Those damn things melted plug wires like crazy. So, if you go shorty, I recommend unequal length. Good luck in your decision. -Chris