ChiTownStang26
Well-Known Member
Heres a better video; warm start up!
That sounds really good man, like really good! What's the exact setup on there from your signature it looks custom fabed.
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Heres a better video; warm start up!
It's just a matter of preference. The 304 stainless steel will last a long time (even without painting them) even after it loses its luster. Painting them with high temp paint does help extend their life some. My MLS gaskets were re-used and installed with copper RTV (although probably not necessary) and seal nicely.I got a set of the ebay headers coming in the mail and an install date later this week. I don't plan on using the included crush gaskets, but will I need to pick up a new set of OEM gaskets or is there a chance the existing ones can be re-used? Also, is the painting part required or are there any serious disadvantages to running them as they are? Mostly a DD, but not to say driven lightly-
TIA-
So did you install the entire exhaust including the Cats from the GT? Does it sound like a stock exhaust or is the sound noticeable but not too intrusive inside the cabin.?I put a stock GT exhaust on my V6. That provided better flow with 2 1/2" piping vs. 2 1/4" on the V6. Doing that provided a nice tone, a little more burble, and a deeper sound. It was noticeable.
I installed BBK ceramic shorties about a month ago, along with a BBK Cold Air Intake (the black one). No tune, yet.
The car sounds awesome now! A perfect balance of a deep tone at idle, but a very, very nice growl at throttle. It has a little bellow to it from the CAI, but the overall sound is yummy. It's pretty damn close to a V8 sound, IMO.
As to the installation of the shorties, here are my nuggets:
-Spray PB Blaster liberally. On the header bolts. On the manifold to cat pipe flange bolts. On the starter motor bolts. You will be eternally grateful you did. I recommend doing this a day in advance. It will smoke and stink quite a bit if you run the car at all, but you'll still be grateful the next day.
-I recommend deep-well sockets. 1/2" and 3/8" drive wrenches will suffice. You'll need 1/2", 13mm, 15mm, and 17mm sockets and wrenches. Extensions will also be your friend.
-A pivoting head ratcheting box end wrench (1/2") will work on every header bolt, except the rear most passenger side nut. You will need a stubby 1/2" open end wrench (and a ton of patience) there.
-You can actually reach every bolt from the top side when removing the stock manifolds. You will have to get the manifold to cat pipe flange bolts (15mm) from underneath the car. This is primarily where I used my extensions.
-Remove the starter. There are 2 - 13mm bolts here. Getting the starter out of the way allows much easier placement of the passenger side shortie header.
-Don't tighten the header bolts all the way down until you have the cats properly seated on the shorties.
-The new header to cat pipe bolts have to be threaded into the flange. Use pliers here to seat them as much as possible. The nuts here are 17mm. Again, extensions come in handy here.
-I re-used my stock header gaskets with no issues.
-I used Rhino Ramps and had enough room to move around underneath. My car has the stock suspension, but I have Ecoboost PP wheels installed.
-The Sirius Pop2K channel had a good mix of songs to help my patience stay intact. Music helps me, but YMMV.
-Total install time by myself was about 4 1/2 hours, including some trial/error time. I also laid a header nut on the strut tower, accidentally hit it, and knocked it into a space near the fender. It fell into the area between the fender's inner and outer skins. I had to remove the passenger wheel, the wheel well liner, and then fish out the nut. Don't do that.
I'm extremely pleased with the sound of my V6 now. A couple car guys at work have noticed it and said, "It doesn't sound like a V6".
Now, if I could just find my old '93 LX 5.0L Notchback with the full Bassani system (headers, hi-flow cat x-pipe, and cat-back), I'd be a very happy boy!!
Cat-back...So did you install the entire exhaust including the Cats from the GT? Does it sound like a stock exhaust or is the sound noticeable but not too intrusive inside the cabin.?
That's the studs / nuts I was referring to. I'm assuming the BBK headers come with studs / nuts for the connection. If not you'll need to either remove the OEM studs or buy new ones - 10mmx1.5 not sure on length - I'd say 60mm maybe?Has anyone replaced the Bolts for the Headers to the downpipe? I bought a set of BBK Ceramic coated. And it does not looks like they are on the materials list. Also has anyone tried the Felpro Exhaust manifold gaskets? Or Should I just stick with Ford OEM?
Would like to order the parts before the headers arrive.
Thanks