Header Hell ! ! !

blackstallion · 09-05-2005, 06:33 PM

I was wondering what is the easiest way to go when trying to install headers. I have the BBK SHorties but they are still a bitch to get on. Also i'm goign to be runnin a BBK off-road X-pipe after the headers and i was wondering what cat back would sound the best with that set up.... THanks Kris

*madmatt* · 09-05-2005, 07:08 PM

Hmm, Id say a straight through muffler would sound the best with that midpipe. Flows tend to sound like ass with that x pipe. It just has a different crossover than most other x pipes, so Id say something like SLP or magnaflow.

ColoradoStang · 09-05-2005, 07:40 PM

havent done it myself, but i hear horror stories about dropping the K-member to fit the headers, when i did my catback, i checked it out and that looks like the only good way to do it. also, just in my opinion, i would do more research on x-pipes before you buy the BBK catless pipe. lets consider what the BBK pipe against, say, a SLP x-pipe

BBK: Pros: - cheap ($150-ish)
- name-brand, possible warranty

BBK: Cons: - some say cat-less are "raspy"
- questionable emissions legality (if applicable)
- down the road, you'll have to buy a nex x-pipe if you go long-tube headers

SLP: Pros: - name-brand, possible warranty
- versatility....you can switch from the provided high flow cats to race pipes in minutes, and it shortens to accept long-tubes
- you could run around cat-less but slip on the cats for emissions

SLP: Cons: - expensive! ($400-ish)

i dont mean to bash on your choice i just wanna show you there are a lot of great x-pipes out there, the SLP being my choice. but you also have MAC, Flowtech, Dr. Gas, MT, UTP, and etc. either way good luck!

blackstallion · 09-05-2005, 08:44 PM

i'm just looking for opinions i have heard that BBk are raspy i just want to know what eveyrone else thinks. I just want a smooth deep tone throughout the whole RPM range. If you have any ideas let me know... THanks, Kris

Islander03GT · 09-05-2005, 09:39 PM

Drop the K Member.

Honest to god, its the easiest way. Doesn't take too much longer.

*madmatt* · 09-06-2005, 06:01 AM

Then you want an H pipe. Dont worry about getting every little hp if its the sound you want. Also, why go shorty headers at all, just a waste of time and money imho.

tripleblack · 09-06-2005, 06:12 AM

Its possible to install the shorties with the K-member on the car, but prepare for bruised and battered hands, short tempers and so on. You'll also be well-advised to unbolt the motor mounts so the engine can be maneuvered up to give you access (careful, careful doing this, of course - make sure you're not pinching wires/hoses/hands when this takes place). Also be prepared to remove other components (starters, various wires and hoses, etc.). Odds that you'll break something off in the block (manifold bolts and studs are famous for this) is fair to good, too. Getting access to that impossible bolt or stud can make a man lose his religion... As can removing those O2 sensors, that tend to seize up or come apart. (If you're going all off-road, you'll need a tuner or MIL eliminators to get rid of the check engine light). At which time, the K-member comes off anyway.

All this to get about 5 hp out of a mildly modified 4.6 (hm, assuming you've got a 4.6 - what model car are we talking about?). If it were mine, and I was set to go to this much trouble, I'd consider swapping those shorties for long tubes and at least get 10 hp or so for my trouble.

Short answer: Remove the K-member AND get the long boys.

tripleblack

ColoradoStang · 09-06-2005, 04:12 PM

i think he already has the BBk shorts

tripleblack · 09-06-2005, 06:33 PM

Yeah, I noticed that. Maybe the supplier will swap them out for long tube versions?

Or sell to unsuspecting acquaintance.

tripleblack

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoStang

i think he already has the BBk shorts

Islander03GT · 09-06-2005, 10:58 PM

I'll be going with shorties when I do headers because LT's in Ca is a no-no.

Of course, I don't plan on doing headers until I do a lightweight K member... that way I kill 2 birds with 1 stone

*madmatt* · 09-07-2005, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Islander03GT

I'll be going with shorties when I do headers because LT's in Ca is a no-no.

Of course, I don't plan on doing headers until I do a lightweight K member... that way I kill 2 birds with 1 stone

Smart man.

ColoradoStang · 09-07-2005, 06:53 AM

long tubes not CARB certified?

Islander03GT · 09-07-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoStang

long tubes not CARB certified?

Nope. They dont like us having fun around here.

csledd · 09-07-2005, 12:09 PM

I'm sure with shorties you may have more room to work with.. but when me and my dad installed my LTs we tried it without dropping the k-member. After MUCH MUCH MUCH cussing we dropped it lol. It was very easy after that

then again not everyone has 3 floor jacks lol most people take the k-member all the way out, we just lowered it and raised it back when we were done

If you wanna see more from the install dl this vid I made

http://www.csledd.com/ellie/exhaust/exhaust-video.wmv

09-05-2005, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
blackstallion Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 184	Header Hell ! ! ! I was wondering what is the easiest way to go when trying to install headers. I have the BBK SHorties but they are still a bitch to get on. Also i'm goign to be runnin a BBK off-road X-pipe after the headers and i was wondering what cat back would sound the best with that set up.... THanks Kris

09-05-2005, 07:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
madmatt Traitor...lol Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 7,929	Hmm, Id say a straight through muffler would sound the best with that midpipe. Flows tend to sound like ass with that x pipe. It just has a different crossover than most other x pipes, so Id say something like SLP or magnaflow. __________________ RPMPlanets

09-05-2005, 07:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
ColoradoStang american muscle Join Date: May 2005 Location: denver - getting slowed by elevation Posts: 205	havent done it myself, but i hear horror stories about dropping the K-member to fit the headers, when i did my catback, i checked it out and that looks like the only good way to do it. also, just in my opinion, i would do more research on x-pipes before you buy the BBK catless pipe. lets consider what the BBK pipe against, say, a SLP x-pipe BBK: Pros: - cheap ($150-ish) - name-brand, possible warranty BBK: Cons: - some say cat-less are "raspy" - questionable emissions legality (if applicable) - down the road, you'll have to buy a nex x-pipe if you go long-tube headers SLP: Pros: - name-brand, possible warranty - versatility....you can switch from the provided high flow cats to race pipes in minutes, and it shortens to accept long-tubes - you could run around cat-less but slip on the cats for emissions SLP: Cons: - expensive! ($400-ish) i dont mean to bash on your choice i just wanna show you there are a lot of great x-pipes out there, the SLP being my choice. but you also have MAC, Flowtech, Dr. Gas, MT, UTP, and etc. either way good luck! __________________ 1997 Mustang GT - 5-speed - Black on Black 3.73 gears/Flowmaster Exhaust/"K&N" Intake/CenterForce Dual Friction Racing Clutch/Nitto 555's/Kenwood CD Player '97 Mustang GT Best ET: 14.3 @98 (sae corrected) Currently saving for some BOOST!

09-05-2005, 09:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Islander03GT Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 717	Drop the K Member. Honest to god, its the easiest way. Doesn't take too much longer. __________________ John V 06 Honda Accord SE- Daily Driver 83 Jeep Cherokee W/T- Off Road Toy 02 Mineral Gray V6 Vert- Girlfriends No more: 03 GT- The Problem Child

09-06-2005, 06:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
madmatt Traitor...lol Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 7,929	Then you want an H pipe. Dont worry about getting every little hp if its the sound you want. Also, why go shorty headers at all, just a waste of time and money imho. __________________ RPMPlanets

09-05-2005, 08:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
blackstallion Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 184	i'm just looking for opinions i have heard that BBk are raspy i just want to know what eveyrone else thinks. I just want a smooth deep tone throughout the whole RPM range. If you have any ideas let me know... THanks, Kris

09-06-2005, 06:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
tripleblack Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 337	To K or not to K Its possible to install the shorties with the K-member on the car, but prepare for bruised and battered hands, short tempers and so on. You'll also be well-advised to unbolt the motor mounts so the engine can be maneuvered up to give you access (careful, careful doing this, of course - make sure you're not pinching wires/hoses/hands when this takes place). Also be prepared to remove other components (starters, various wires and hoses, etc.). Odds that you'll break something off in the block (manifold bolts and studs are famous for this) is fair to good, too. Getting access to that impossible bolt or stud can make a man lose his religion... As can removing those O2 sensors, that tend to seize up or come apart. (If you're going all off-road, you'll need a tuner or MIL eliminators to get rid of the check engine light). At which time, the K-member comes off anyway. All this to get about 5 hp out of a mildly modified 4.6 (hm, assuming you've got a 4.6 - what model car are we talking about?). If it were mine, and I was set to go to this much trouble, I'd consider swapping those shorties for long tubes and at least get 10 hp or so for my trouble. Short answer: Remove the K-member AND get the long boys. tripleblack

09-06-2005, 04:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
ColoradoStang american muscle Join Date: May 2005 Location: denver - getting slowed by elevation Posts: 205	i think he already has the BBk shorts __________________ 1997 Mustang GT - 5-speed - Black on Black 3.73 gears/Flowmaster Exhaust/"K&N" Intake/CenterForce Dual Friction Racing Clutch/Nitto 555's/Kenwood CD Player '97 Mustang GT Best ET: 14.3 @98 (sae corrected) Currently saving for some BOOST!

09-06-2005, 10:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Islander03GT Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Simi Valley, Ca Posts: 717	I'll be going with shorties when I do headers because LT's in Ca is a no-no. Of course, I don't plan on doing headers until I do a lightweight K member... that way I kill 2 birds with 1 stone __________________ John V 06 Honda Accord SE- Daily Driver 83 Jeep Cherokee W/T- Off Road Toy 02 Mineral Gray V6 Vert- Girlfriends No more: 03 GT- The Problem Child

09-07-2005, 06:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
ColoradoStang american muscle Join Date: May 2005 Location: denver - getting slowed by elevation Posts: 205	long tubes not CARB certified? __________________ 1997 Mustang GT - 5-speed - Black on Black 3.73 gears/Flowmaster Exhaust/"K&N" Intake/CenterForce Dual Friction Racing Clutch/Nitto 555's/Kenwood CD Player '97 Mustang GT Best ET: 14.3 @98 (sae corrected) Currently saving for some BOOST!

09-07-2005, 12:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
csledd DSG!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 3,074	I'm sure with shorties you may have more room to work with.. but when me and my dad installed my LTs we tried it without dropping the k-member. After MUCH MUCH MUCH cussing we dropped it lol. It was very easy after that then again not everyone has 3 floor jacks lol most people take the k-member all the way out, we just lowered it and raised it back when we were done If you wanna see more from the install dl this vid I made http://www.csledd.com/ellie/exhaust/exhaust-video.wmv __________________ CAP DSG Registry 2003 Mustang GT - daily driven check out my cardomain for more info 296 rwhp / 310 rwtq Money spent @ AM: $4623.20 1984 Mustang Hatch - low budget project

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