which headers will work

[buttersgt350]

hi guys im new on here and new to mustangs so i have a few questions. i bought a 1984 mustang gt350 and would like to do some exhaust work on it. i know i need a different crossmember with the dual hump in it. i was told i cant put dual exhaust on it because of a brake line and fuel pump interference. no big deal i will do the Mac dumps with a h-pipe. i want to put different headers on it but i see alot of places advertising 86-93 models. whats the difference to an 84 model for the headers. will the 86-93 fit. also want to pick up some different heads for it. what would you recommend. thanks guys for your help as i will need more of it in the future.

 

[LRSjmac]

The 86-93 headers will work as long as you run the corresponding mid pipe & catback. You are correct, you will need a new transmission crossmember. You will also need muffler hangers & tailpipe hangers. Use an 86-93 mid pipe of your choice. On the catback, there are a few guys up here that have used an off the shelf catback & had an exhaust shop lightly tweak the RH pipe to clear the brake line. Some required no tweaking of the pipe at all, only a minor tweaking of the line itself.

 

[Brian@PAR]

LRSjmac is right on the money but would you expect anything else from them!!

I had no issues doing a full dual exhaust in an 83 by following those steps.

Your head question depends on many things. You will get people that will tell you an AFR165 or TW170 head is perfect for a street car but the reality is you need to determine your goal for the motor, the intended use for the car and what you may want to do down the road. It's a money well spent to buy a head to grow into but there are some things to consider when doing this.

 

[347HO]

Your head question depends on many things..

Headers, Brian... Headers!! LOL.

The header you choose depends on the type of cylinder heads you have.
If you have OE 84' year specific, then yes, the 86' versions will work.

Keep in mind, OTS and OOTB headers normall don't bolt straight on. Some tweeking will need to be done at, near and around the steering shaft, bell housing and maybe a few other places.

If you stay with a shorty, IMO go with the largest diameter primary and collector as those already handycap you over longtubes. You will loose some clearance around stuff however using bigger tubes.

Know there are manual and automatic application specific headers.

 

[83T-top]

I thought 84 was the first year for dual exhaust? Also from the experience I had trying to put a H-pipe from an 86-93 onto the older ones, the hangers on the H-Pipe that slide into the brackets attached to the tranny sit at different angles. I tried putting one on my 83GT and couldn't figure out whyethe hangers weren't going into the brackets, finally I got underneath my 88 and I believe it was the bracket on the drivers side of the 88GT was up higher then the 83GT. I even tried flipping the bracket and also bending the hanger on the H-Pipe, finally gave up. I also had an 84GT and I got told the same thing as far as not being able to run exhaust all the way back, is yours an auto, if so it's because of the external fuel pump mounted on the frame rail right before the rearend, where you would put the mufflers. They were on the 84 and 85GT auto's with CFI. Just the experience I had, but maybe I was just stupid, who knows.

 

[buttersgt350]

wow guys thanks for all the info you all gave, its very useful. its nice knowing that being new to something there are people out there to help me. i will start saving some cash and order some headers, probably an h-pipe, and either a catback or the dumps. mine is an auto and i was told i couldnt do the duels because of the fuel pump. i will probably order from late model restoration, as i have heard good things about that site. thanks again.

 

[Brian@PAR]

Headers, Brian... Headers!! LOL.

He did ask about heads as well. I swear

Of course I have been harping on the big head little motor thing quite a bit so.............

buttersgt350,

You'll be happy with LRS. I've been buying from them for years and I never had a problem with anything I bought. They used to be 50 resto but have expanded thier line. Still they have parts there that you won't find other places.

It's actually funny everytime I go to thier site I type www.50resto.com. I can't seem to get my brain to use the "new" url.

 

[fly4spd]

I thought 84 was the first year for dual exhaust? Also from the experience I had trying to put a H-pipe from an 86-93 onto the older ones, the hangers on the H-Pipe that slide into the brackets attached to the tranny sit at different angles. I tried putting one on my 83GT and couldn't figure out whyethe hangers weren't going into the brackets, finally I got underneath my 88 and I believe it was the bracket on the drivers side of the 88GT was up higher then the 83GT. I even tried flipping the bracket and also bending the hanger on the H-Pipe, finally gave up. .

I installed my long tubes, then had the exhaust shop put in my x-pipe. I have dumps so I have any experience with the cat back. As far as the cross memeber is concerned, I pulled one out of an 87 and then had the shop bend the cross member so it would fit properly.