Which LT headers to get
 

I need to decide on headers I cant get SLPS as they dont make it for 98 Cobra. Mac,Hooker or Mac also catted x or off road, I have slps catback.

im getting the macs as they are lots cheaper :laughing1under 400 shipped you just cant beat that :p

Edit: and definitly go with an off road x if you can get away with it. ;)

damnit I was gonna recommend SLP, awww

I'm not a fan of MAC :(

I wanted something in stainless but most of them are not. I was looking at Bassani but as luck would have it they dont have it for my year.

I would highly recommend NOT getting MAC Longtube headers for your car. Alot of discussion has been done on various forums and the conclusion was the finishing coating and welding slag (poor quality control and mediocre manufacturing) caused many motors to begin burning excessive amounts of oil.

There have been at least a dozen ruined motors linked to the MAC longtubes. The motor ingests the slag and significant scarring of cylinder walls and ringlands have been found.

I'd say go for the Hookers, relatively inexpensive, offer probably the best ground clearance of all longtube headers, and you can remove the tranny without taking off the headers.

With BBK's you must remove the passenger side header to remove the tranny.

Philip K.

Yes I was looking at http://www.lmperformance.com/3565/50.html. Is getting it coated good or will it have same prob as Mac.

The coating wasn't as much the problem as the welding slag.

Jet-Hot or Sterling Coatings are perfectly fine...in fact getting a set of MAC's and going over them Meticulously with some sandpaper clearing as much slag as possible and getting them coated will prevent any problems.

With the Hookers you will be golden...Jet hot or ceramic is perfectly fine. They even make them in Stainless now i believe.

Philip K.

P.S. if you want you can get a set of Custom Kooks or SHM headers...with like 1 3/4" primaries or step headers. But then you're talking over $1,000 bucks.

EDIT: Email Jet-Hot directly, and try to get prices from them with shipping to your house. They have the best prices if i recall correctly the Headers and X-Pipe shipped is less then 700...maybe just a tad more.

Just an FYI, but the only cars that really had the slag problem were the 4v cobra engines, which you will be running I assume in the future, but if you are getting them for the 2v, dont worry about them. For the 4v, Id get the bbks or the slps.

I read up on it and better safe than sorry so going with Hooker.

I bought my SLP O/R X-pipe from lmperformance.com. they seem like a pretty good company (had to buy it there because MT didn't have it at the time :( )

?

Not sure if the 2V's experienced the same problems, but hopefully not. I'd hate to slap on a set of "innocuous" headers - a minor bolt on...and experience catastrophic engine failure.

I for one...would be pissed.

Another vote for hookers!

I guess my question to all who have answered in this thread is which brands have you personally installed? I have installed Jet-Hot Brand..which are identical to Hookers. The fit was less than stellar, for that kind of money they should fit like a glove. I bought the Flowtechs, $250....they are IDENTICAL to the Hooker Lt's, so is the X-pipe. I haven't had a chance to put them on yet. I expect them to fit about the same as the Hooker/Jet Hots did....usable but crappy. So here is my question...why do you want to spend $700 on a header/x that fits like crap. Buy a coated Flowtech set-up for $450 (thats headers/x-pipe/all hardware, even 02 extensions) will it fit like crap...prolly. But trust me when I tell you that you need to go with Kooks or some other high end brand if you want a header that is truly made for our cars. Just my 02


Adam

I called the shop and he is looking at what headers are available for 98 DOHC. Its crazy but not all header manufacturers make them for Cobra engines. This is a difficult part to replace so I think it would be better to buy a good quality piece.

i've heard mixed opinions about the fitment and quality after installation of the Hookers. Most Cobra guys that I know have small issues with primary tubes interfering with the steering shaft a bit...or leakage issues on the driver's side slip fit. Other than that people have had nothing but good things to say about them.

But as far as the install goes....Any Long tube header is going to be a major PITA.

If you have the money...get a set of Custom Longtubes by Kooks. Also, aftermarket K-Members tend to provide a little better Header clearance and ease of installation...and in most cases many people drop the K-member to do the install anyway, so I'd say if money is no object (which unfortunately for most of us it is.)

Either way good luck and keep us posted.

Philip K.

The shop will be doing all the work and should be easy as they will be dropping in the Cobra engine at the same time. Ill post up vids and pics soon.