Duals on the cheap.

Topic: Duals on the cheap. (Read 1111 times) previous topic - next topic

Duals on the cheap.

January 24, 2008, 12:07:05 PM

Hey,

I have a 88Cougar LS with stock tubular HO manifolds (headers?) and I was wondering if a 2.5" H-pipe would fit without leaks?

Also, could I slap on a 2.25" catback on without problems? Im not going for super HIPO here, just need to get a cheap exhaust on there.
(My stock was completely rotted out).

-Thanks
DZ

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #1 – January 24, 2008, 12:08:59 PM

just call around to your local ler shops and see what they will charge you. they should be able to look at the car for free (just ask first) but then once they do all the math they can give you a quote and just go with the cheapest and best quality of work.

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #2 – January 24, 2008, 12:17:26 PM

I could do that.....except the car has nothing on it right now. It would need to be towed there. How much does it cost to have one bent up and installed? I can get the h-pipe+catback incl lers for ~300$

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #3 – January 24, 2008, 05:20:21 PM

I have an off road 2.5" h-pipe on my '88. It was around $120 for the pipe (Flowtech). It fits just fine but needed pipes welded in to connect the end of the h-pipe to the lers since it wasn't long enough. It also needed to be dimpled to allow clearance for the transmission linkage. I'm also running with the stock Mustang/Lincoln headers and after 4 years have no leaks.

Don't let anyone tell you it won't fit because it will. I went around to 4 different shops before I found one that would put it on for me. They all told me that it was impossible. I think it cost me around a hundred to get the pipe and headers installed along with extending the O2 sensors.

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #4 – January 24, 2008, 05:33:57 PM

Thanks for the reply. I actually just took the plunge. It seemed that many of the mustang guys were running stock headers with the 2.5" downpipe. 300$ for the Summit HPipe + Catback shipped to my door. Ill post up a sound clip when I'm all done.

Ive got the trans out of the car and im swapping in a T5 so clearance shouldn't be a problem. If not, I've got my handy dimpling hammer.

Also, I've seen some people saying they have clearance problems with the mustang headers. Mine also had the issue with the engine mount, but i took a long straight crowbar and just pried back the drop-stop. It bends pretty easy, gave me lots of clearance.

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #5 – January 26, 2008, 09:49:04 AM

The headers after '93 have clearance issues with the drop stop. Not just the part you pried back but the horizontal piece of metal plate also. But the 86 to 93 headers which you probably have should be fine. Also, if these are used headers check the welding on the passenger side header where all the tubes come together. On two headers I've seen, right in the center of all four tubes, the weld was missing or worn away. That would have been an exhuast leak. So I had to get mine re-welded. Hold it up to the light.

Duals on the cheap.

Reply #6 – January 26, 2008, 02:00:33 PM

I dont really care for small exhaust shops after what they did to my TC. Their idea of a Y-pipe is a straight piece of pipe with a hole cut in it and another pipe welded into the hole. Needless to say it doesnt function well at all. Prolly hurting performance more than anything. They also mounted my lers too far forward, and the passenger side one is jammed between the body and the driveshaft.

Not saying all shops suck, you just gotta watch out. Its hard to believe this one I went to never did a fox before...