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Headers & X-Pipe install questions

IgottaV8

Wickedstangs Road Racing Team
Staff member
Moderator
Board Member
How hard would it be to install some long-tube headers and a mid-pipe? I can afford the parts, but not to pay someone for installation. And I doubt that my dad would lend me the money for it. Do I also need to get my car tuned after I get them?
 

yosemiddysam

Well-Known Member
Donator
Well if you ever plan on legally getting it smogged in Ca, long tubes are out! As for the install you pretty much have to either raise the engine or drop the K-Member to do them. I have heard people say it can be done without doing this but quite honestly I think they are smoking crack. I personally tried it and it took twice as long and I still ended up dropping the K. I would say you "should" get a new tune seeing as your exhaust will be flowing much better depending on what you have now.
 

wickedstangs

Chula Vista, CA
Staff member
Administrator
yose remember he has a 1995 I have done it without moving the engine or K-Member...
 

orange395w

OG MEMBER
Staff member
I think you should save your money for a rebuild. Your engine has blow-by and that's not going to go away with long tubes and a tune. Save your cash for a new shortblock or get a junkyard 351w. I'm totally serious about this! Your car has an issue that is serious, stop trying to avoid it or act like it's not there. Fix it and then move on to more mods.

With long tubes in your car you will have to lift the engine slightly, but I wouldn't drop the K-member just because you can screw up your steering alignment.
 
M

Mustangcwo

Guest
You need save your money for the mod that your engine needs. Forged internals with a 331 stroker kit and twisted wedge heads. Once you have that combination, then you can open up the exhaust for more HP. Listen to Orange. I'm certain that him or I could do the install for a small fee, but I doubt either one of us want to waste your money.
 

IgottaV8

Wickedstangs Road Racing Team
Staff member
Moderator
Board Member
Ok, so who do I take my car to, to get my engine checked out? And would my engine being bored over prevent me from buying a stroker kit?
 

Windveil Blues

OLD FART
Remember, if you punch that block any, you'll be buying new pistons rather than just installing new rings and putting a finish hone in the cylinders. Having said that, a total rebuild with boring and new pistons is a better idea anyway... IMHO.
 

IgottaV8

Wickedstangs Road Racing Team
Staff member
Moderator
Board Member
It already is, so I was wondering if I would have to buy different pistons due to that fact.
 

wickedstangs

Chula Vista, CA
Staff member
Administrator
what motor did they tell you have? With the tear down you will really find out what you have..:(
 

Windveil Blues

OLD FART
If it's already bored, and has pistons in it, I'd definitely have them looked at. Have your block, rods and crank checked and mic'd as well. If they check out, and you want to put some money into it, by all means have everything Magnafluxed that reciprocates. It'll find any hidden cracks, for sure. Have the crank turned .010, all new bearings, have the pistons knurled and re-ringed. But if it were me... I'd have the block and heads gone through, and buy a new (forged) crank, rods and pistons. I'd still have that block cleaned up and straightened out (line bored, cylinders at least honed and cleaned up), or you'll be rebuilding and/or replacing the whole thing anyway.

Now keep in mind everything I just mentioned is for the bottom-end only. There's a boatload of stuff to consider when rebuilding an engine.

Jim
It already is, so I was wondering if I would have to buy different pistons due to that fact.
 

IgottaV8

Wickedstangs Road Racing Team
Staff member
Moderator
Board Member
Yeah, I'm going to call Dante and see who he recommends for an engine chack up, then I'll go from there.
 

orange395w

OG MEMBER
Staff member
We can do a simple compression test and see what we come up with. In my opinion if it was mine and there is an issue with scarred cylinders in this engine, SCRAP it! There is already too much material taken out of that block. A 351w is not hard to do and you can find them pretty easy. They drop right in and you will need very few modifications to get it to work. As a matter of fact I have an SN95 dizzy in my garage that is for a 351w.

I bought a junkyard 351w before my previous setup and without touching the short block at all I got that thing to make 365hp & 381TQ. You can sell some parts off of the 302 engine to get money for the parts you'll need for the 351w.

If you did not want to go that route 302's are a dime a dozen in the junkyard for $500. If you grabbed a junkyard dog I could build the rest of the engine up for you here. You have alot of options out there. You have to sit down with someone and discuss how much you have to spend and what you are trying to do with the car.

We were all in your shoes once. Take a step back and think about it. We are all here to help.
 

Tommy

New Member
Orange is right. There's so many 302's and 351's out there. I was at several SD area junk yards this week getting parts for my 460 project and came across sooooo many 302's and 351's, and a few 390's too. Heck, I even found long tube headers from an Econoline van! But I eneded up not getting them. Not only did I have to struggle to get them out, They would'nt have worked with my 4x4 chassis.

Keep an eye out on C/L also. They come up very often.
 

IgottaV8

Wickedstangs Road Racing Team
Staff member
Moderator
Board Member
But I like EFI and is the 351w EFI? If not, I have about $750 to use for my car.
 

orange395w

OG MEMBER
Staff member
the 351w is EFI. If it wasn't it can still be converted very easy. If you want to bring it over friday evening I may be able to do the compression check for you. LMK if you want to do that so I can let the wife know I'll be working outside. Gotta keep Mamma happy. :)
 
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