Header, issue & advice

[Highline]

Alright, I'll try and make a long story short.

I have pypes brand shorty headers currently. The problem I'm having is clearance with the steering shaft, it rubs. I have shifted the motor over as far as I can to the right (passenger side) and gained a little clearance but on spirited rights it's still rubbing, and that, among other things is what I bought it for. I also am having a trouble with groaning gears again, this will be the 4th set of gears (not counting the stockers) in just over 9,400 miles (on the car), while 2 sets I blamed on dynoing right after install (I installed a bunch of bolt ons dyno'd, more bolt ons, gear swap dyno'd again), now while I don't see how, mainly because of the center support bearing, I'm begining to wonder if there somehow is a correlation.

All that being said, I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy long tubes anyway, looks like Stage 3 has a nice sale on JBA LT's and off road H-pipe, I assume these leave plenty of clearance as a quick search hasn't revealed anything. Also the car is lowered Roush springs, steeda spec'd shocks, struts, 20's and also BMR's 1/2 inch drop Kmember and adj a arms, also their lower control arms, the control arm relocation kit, and of course an adj upper link.

Will the JBA's clear the steering rack? (I assume pypes being a cheaper/newer company doesn't put as much research in little issues like this yet.) Being lowered w/ the drop K member are there going to be any ground clearance issues? And when swapping in a clutch am I going to have to drop a header? Thanx to all for input.

Oh and to anybody who reads this who is thinking of buying shorty headers, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, $$$, OR EFFORT, they are a complete waste. Hopefully LT's will solve my steering shaft rubbing problem, I know they will gain a bunch of HP and torque. In August she made 430 horse and 404 tq, maybe LT's get me to the coveted 450 rwhp mark. Thanks again guys, this has been a strange pain in the ass car, but I'm burried in it and more importantly... I like it.

[Elanore]

I have BBK long tubes with BBK X- PIPE with high flow cats. The bbk headers are made to fit with no problems, Ive had mine on for about 2 years no problems. I think for the money you will save over some of the other brands and what they deliver they are a good choice.

[NastyStang113]

I love my stock manifolds ... Sorry I had too ... LOL

[raycutchins]

Kooks long tubes here with absolutley no problems.

[DiMora]

I have stock manifolds and a Mac prochamber that uses my stock cats...so I can't help you with your current issue...but I can share the advice I have been given, and that is that American Racing (ARH), Kooks, and Mac are the top brands. Mac and Kooks made the most power in recent header shootout. I was leaning toward ARH, but lately I've been thinking Mac longtubes with a catless Mac prochamber and keeping my Roush off-road exhaust.

[Highline]

Thanks, for the info. I was leaning toward Kooks because I think they don't have to be removed when replacing the clutch but they are pricey. I thought that JBA LT's were supposedly a top tier brand, yet I really never see it substantiated in any mustang forums. Kooks always seems to get recommended.

[NastyStang113]

The Kooks are actually mid length which does produce the most amount of power in the S197s. The only thing that would go on my car is Kooks or American Racing.

[raycutchins]

Thanks, for the info. I was leaning toward Kooks because I think they don't have to be removed when replacing the clutch but they are pricey. I thought that JBA LT's were supposedly a top tier brand, yet I really never see it substantiated in any mustang forums. Kooks always seems to get recommended.

The Kooks does not have to be removed to change the clutch unless you plan on dropping the transmission. The P51 clutch was installed on mine with only sliding the transmission and engine.

[AutoXRacer]

The Kooks does not have to be removed to change the clutch unless you plan on dropping the transmission. The P51 clutch was installed on mine with only sliding the transmission and engine.

That comment alone makes it a winner...

The Kooks are actually mid length which does produce the most amount of power in the S197s.

Now with this comment...there is no doubt!!!

[cragar351]

You dont have to remove KOOKS headers when removing the clutch or transmission.

[NastyStang113]

You dont have to remove KOOKS headers when removing the clutch or transmission.

Correct, that's what was said ...

[gabrieldy]

I have ceramic coated JBA LTs and JBA catted H-pipe. I zero clearance issues with my stock K-member and steering shaft. FYI...JBA recommends changing out the motor mounts to some aftermarket ones. I also just did my clutch 2 weeks ago and you don't have to remove the LTs for a clutch R&R.

[Highline]

Thanx gentlemen,

I bought Kooks with their catted X pipe. The best part is I'll be putting them on a brand new P51A roush forged motor/TVS blower setup. Don't think I'll be buying myself any X mas presents for the next 50 years .

Can't wait for it all to start showing up, right now the cars just been sitting on the hoist for the last 2 weeks with the entire drivetrain out of it, also sprung for a 6 speed tranny kit, and roush drag pak axels, factor 4 clutch and detroit locker.

I'll start a new thread as parts go in I'll take lots of pictures.

[07roushgt]

Thanx gentlemen,

I bought Kooks with their catted X pipe. The best part is I'll be putting them on a brand new P51A roush forged motor/TVS blower setup. Don't think I'll be buying myself any X mas presents for the next 50 years .

Can't wait for it all to start showing up, right now the cars just been sitting on the hoist for the last 2 weeks with the entire drivetrain out of it, also sprung for a 6 speed tranny kit, and roush drag pak axels, factor 4 clutch and detroit locker.

I'll start a new thread as parts go in I'll take lots of pictures.

congrats on the new setup. your clone will be superior to the original. that oughta really piss off those shelby guys . not only will your car get more looks at shows, it will be faster on the street!

[DiMora]

Thanx gentlemen,

I bought Kooks with their catted X pipe. The best part is I'll be putting them on a brand new P51A roush forged motor/TVS blower setup. Don't think I'll be buying myself any X mas presents for the next 50 years .

Can't wait for it all to start showing up, right now the cars just been sitting on the hoist for the last 2 weeks with the entire drivetrain out of it, also sprung for a 6 speed tranny kit, and roush drag pak axels, factor 4 clutch and detroit locker.

I'll start a new thread as parts go in I'll take lots of pictures.

That is going to be one sick setup!

[NastyStang113]

Don't the Roush drag pack axles require different wheels? Who did you buy the TR6060 from?

[Highline]

Don't the Roush drag pack axles require different wheels? Who did you buy the TR6060 from?

Sh** I hope not. I have some dope CS 20's I just put on. I assume (I know, never do that) the guys at stage 3 would have known that, I'll be seriously pissed when I go in to work tomorrow and check (now that you mentioned it) if they don't.

I got the p51a motor/tvs kit, drag pak axels, locker, factor 4 clutch, and 6 speed tranny kit all from Stage 3. I assume they get the tranny kit from steeda the rest from roush, obviously. Grabbed the Kooks from maryland speed, and I think I'll grab a ford racing oil pump, 4.10 gears, and ported heads from them, wanted to update the heads anyway, I just have a problem putting on used heads on the new block, at this point what the hell anyway.

I'll start a thread with lots of pics (a bunch of stuff's already been done to it) when the parts show up, I'm getting anxious. I was expecting the motor today but alas, no dice. I did get the axels and locker and headers already.

[Thevesh]

Thanx gentlemen,

I bought Kooks with their catted X pipe. I'll start a new thread as parts go in I'll take lots of pictures.

Please share soon! I am just unable to decide between: Kooks, ARH, JBA and Dynatech (all with uncatted X-pipe). This winter is gonna be expensive