Let the questioning begin!

Topic: Let the questioning begin! (Read 12210 times) previous topic - next topic

Let the questioning begin!

October 25, 2004, 10:28:01 PM

**Disclaimer: This might be long winded!**

So over the winter I intend to start figuring out stuff in regards to what I want to do with my t-bird in the future. This includes researching and amassing parts for the projects. I have already done a few things already but they've been typically minor and insignificant, i.e. adding a K&N air filter and FMS plug wires and cap and rotor. I have also been slowly addressing problems that existed when I was given the car like valve cover gaskets (a 7 hour nightmare!) transmission leaks, and next up the oil pan :shoothead !!

Anyways one of the major fixes that came up (and the real topic of the post) was the exhaust. I ended up losing the tailpipe one day (came off exactly at the ler), and decided to take care of it asap. I had been looking into putting a dual exhaust on and had been going to different shops trying to find someone to do it. Needless to say none of the local boys could do it the way I wanted. So after a bit-o-research I found that the 88 model had a dual that was a direct bolt on. I bought the parts, Y-pipe, tailpipes, and dynomax super turbo lers, and took them to a shop that said they would do the install for me. Well needless to say when I got the car back, I wasn't happy at all. I didn't get the sound I wanted, I had to compromise on the look I wanted (stainless straight pipes out the back), and all in all wasted money all the way around. So now 2 months later I've got another exhaust leak (the connection for the front to rear cat's) and i'm fustrated to heck.

Not too long after I got the exhaust done I was browsing around coolcats.net and checked through the exhuast section. This time I was paying attention and came across the Mark VII h-pipe setup. Well i've gone and done more research and pricing and I believe i've come up with a setup that will work for my application. I have a couple questions though:
1: Are all v8 compatible mustang headers 1 & 5/8's ?
2: I read a post on the old forum of someone saying they used or that monte carlo tailpipes can be used on our cars since they are longer. If this is true do the bends for the axle allow for clearance?
3: Does the high flow catalytic convertor for the mark listed on coolcats.net still exist anywhere?

Here's a pic of the parts for the setup, along with the prices from summit racing and advance auto parts (cat-convertor). I do have provisions for the o2 sensor issue, and exhaust clamps, I just didn't list those. Again sorry for the long post, I promise my subsequent ones won't be anywhere near as long!!

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=120&stc=1
Exhaust Setup.jpg

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #1 – October 25, 2004, 10:53:41 PM

You wouldn't have to get a Lincoln H-pipe. You could buy any aftermarket one for a fox (79-93) Ford Mustang, probably a lot cheaper, too. Headers, also... you may be able to obtain a stock Mustang used set from e-bay for cheap. Or, if you want aftermarket, 1 1/2 and 1 5/8" primary versions are available. The rule is, 225 hp and up use 1-5/8 and below that should use the 1 1/2". The intermediate pipes look like they're decent priced. I paid $50 for a set from MAC, however they were 2.5".

My setup is as follows:
Stock Mustang Headers from eBay, Summit Off-Road H-pipe (you may not be able to use this due to emissions), Flow tubes (intermediate pipes) from MAC, Summit 2-tube lers (sound like flowmasters, a bit quieter). It sounds decent (ask atendees of this years cat jam) and the whole deal only cost me $350, installed it myself. You probably noticed that I still don't have tailpipes though. That's because I don't want to buy mustang pipes and modify them, so I'll have to get some tailpipes made at a shop, unless those monte pipes work.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #2 – October 25, 2004, 11:02:24 PM

Well, my reasoning for the lincoln h-pipe is ease of installation for me, i don't intend to take this to a mechanic this time so i want what's easiest for me to do in my friends garage. I read all the exhaust stuff on coolcats already and decided that this was it. Now for the headers I kept the HP equation in mind, and with a H.O. conversion no-where near a financial possibility for me the lincoln headers were the better choice, since my engine is stock. Oh, and due to emissions I need the cats, which is why i'm looking for any indication that the high flow cat may still exist somewhere.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #3 – October 25, 2004, 11:16:53 PM

Got lucky on the old board (an oxymoron I know). Found the post I mentioned.
Originally posted by MasterBlaster:
"Yes, knowing you can always walk in and order a "standard" part (even if it's not designed for your car) can be handy. How about Chevy parts? The 83-88 Monte Carlo SS had some nice looooooong shiny pipes out back! After all, a pipe's a pipe."

Kinda vague, but a start in a direction!

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #4 – October 26, 2004, 12:29:17 AM

Hmmm, I'm thinking I got lucky because the installation of my aftermarket, summit brand at taht, H-pipe went seamlessly. I've heard of people having a hard time though. So aftermarket vs OEM for H-pipe is up to you. Looking at prices for new H-pipes with cat convertors now I guess that $250 doesn't seem that high.

I see now that the headers on the MkVii are listed for the Mustang too. If you don't mind getting used ones and maybe putting some new studs in, I highly reccommend checking for them on eBay or the For Sale section of some Mustang message boards. For $150 you could have aftermarket headers (even though that's not what you're looking for).

I also noticed that the Lincoln H-pipe has only 2 cats instead of 4... wise choice in favor of exhaust flow.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #5 – October 26, 2004, 06:59:43 AM

I mentioned the Monte pipes because of other posts saying to use Mustang too-short pipes, then have them cut and extensions welded in, or go all custom-bent, which could cost a lot of $$$.

I haven't actually tried them, so I have no idea if they'd work, just that they're already long and straight and shiny, just like what all that work and/or money is trying to accomplish.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #6 – October 26, 2004, 01:29:35 PM

stay away from a stock LIncoln h-pipe, they get down to about 1 1/4" in some places and flow terrible. On the Mark VIIs I've had the h-pipe was always the second thing to go after the air silencer.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #7 – October 26, 2004, 02:16:42 PM

You could probably find, again, a used Stock Mustang H-pipe on eBay or some Mustang forums.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #8 – October 26, 2004, 03:02:44 PM

Quote from: foxford

stay away from a stock LIncoln h-pipe, they get down to about 1 1/4" in some places and flow terrible. On the Mark VIIs I've had the h-pipe was always the second thing to go after the air silencer.

Anyone else able to verify/concur with this? If so is anyone aware if the high flow cat system I mentioned still exists? I've looked through JC Whitney's site and haven't found anything on it.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #9 – October 26, 2004, 03:32:11 PM

I tried finding one at Summit Racing but I was unable to. I'm sure they're avaliable. There are tons of emissions legal Mustangs making good power, so they have to exist.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #10 – October 26, 2004, 07:00:25 PM

Uhhh, Im running an 87 Lincoln LSC h-pipe and it works great for me. I gutted the cats and it fits up nice to my mustang Dynomax catback and 1 5/8 shorty headers. I had to get the catback slightly custom bend a little longer and had 3in tips welded on, the ler shop did that in no time. The H-pipe looks nice, no 1 1/4 spots, not sure what he's talking about.

Ive gone 13.4s NA and 12.1s spray in the 1/4 mile with stock HO shortblock, Windsor jr heads, explorer intake, and the aforementioned exhaust.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #11 – October 26, 2004, 07:40:23 PM

I too ran a H pipe from a LSC('86), and mine wasn't even gutted. Also had a stock 5.0 Stang ler on one side and the stock Turbo Coupe ler on the other. Went a best of 13.56@101.3, wasn't spraying back then.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #12 – October 26, 2004, 11:05:49 PM

ok what about the 2 down pipes on the crown vic? with the cats already on them. would they actually fit? and would they be better hp wise? cuz they look like they would fit on the 5.0.

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #13 – October 26, 2004, 11:11:10 PM

So 2 for, 1 against. Any more takers for either side?

Re: Let the questioning begin!

Reply #14 – October 26, 2004, 11:29:26 PM

I have used an off road H off a mustang and I am currently using a stock 91 lincoln mark VII H pipe with gutted cats and 30 series flowmasters. Also using the factory headers off the lincoln on the car.