[pwmustang06]

I just got back from the shop! Here are my first impressions...

- Exhaust Sound Quality.

The car has a more "balanced" exhaust. I didn't hear it pop once, not even on start up. It's a hair louder one first starting up, too. It's also more "choppy" as if I'm hearing the individual pulses from each cylinder. Before it had that deep "throbbing" sound, if you know what I mean. Personally, I like the new sound especially when the stingers drone I hear a deep "chop-chop-chop" instead of a constant buzz.

- Performance.

I don't notice anything before about 2.5k rpm, but after that it pulls harder. It also seems to rev more freely. Personally, I feel like these headers are giving the 3k-5k gains promised. Some might say Bama Chips performance tune has something to do with it, but in my mind the car revs more freely and pulls harder.

Now, keep in mind that the battery was removed during the install. Resetting the power always makes the car run stronger it seems. I will post back after my long trip tomorrow with more definite results.

All of you auto owners know that if you take a steep hill in overdrive the car seems to bog a bit at 45 mph (at least it does with my 3.73's) prior to the auto kicking down. It seemed like the new speed was closer to 50 mph, but this will need more testing during a less busy period to verify.

- Gas Mileage.

It might be my imagination but gas mileage seems to have increased a tick or two. Again, I will know more after my long trip tomorrow.

- Weight Reduction.

There is no weight reduction as a result of this mod. I just weighed the cast iron manifolds and they are approximately 1-2 lbs heavier than the BBK's, if that. Essentially zero weight savings.

- Other observations.

I'm now pretty certain the BBK gasket was one solid piece. Ford used several smaller gaskets, which I now have.

I have not sprayed the car, yet. I have no idea if there are any extra gains when on nitrous. I did read some place that headers are a good mod for nitrous.

The installation was a giant pain, even for my mechanic. The final cost for install was $700. Total cost for this mod was $270 headers + $50 stage 8 bolts + $700 install or about $1020.

Name brand longtubes and a catted x-pipe are about $900 more expensive and would require a $50 tune. So, I saved about $950. I have a feeling installation wouldn't have been that much more.

The locking bolts worked fine and are on the car. My mechanic didn't mention any problems with the bolts.

[stlwagon]

$700 is steep for a shorty install. Glad you like them.

[pwmustang06]

Here's the exhaust comparison clips I just shot. Guys, this car is revving faster and throttle response seems better. That's after driving the car for 30 minutes to my house, turning it off, letting it sit, and then revving it for this video.

You can tell there is a definitely switch in exhaust note. Also note that the exhaust did pop, so much for my "they don't pop on start up" comment. lol

Before:

YouTube - PB191486.MOV

After:

YouTube - PB211490.MOV

Header Walk Around:

YouTube - PB191489.MOV

[pwmustang06]

Originally Posted by stlwagon

$700 is steep for a shorty install. Glad you like them.

I agree, but, then again, everything is steep around here. Another shop I use charged me $1k in labor to install a cam in a 350 Chevy a few years ago, which I understand is high. Gear install was $600 in labor (a third mechanic). If you want a 3 bedroom house, that's still $250-$300k. Pricey.

[stlwagon]

Originally Posted by pwmustang06

I agree, but, then again, everything is steep around here. Another shop I use charged me $1k in labor to install a cam in a 350 Chevy a few years ago, which I understand is high. Gear install was $600 in labor (a third mechanic). If you want a 3 bedroom house, that's still $250-$300k. Pricey.

At least they're in... And you don't have any scars! I still have a 2" scar on the back of my right hand 2 years after my LT install.

[BlueLou]

Originally Posted by stlwagon

At least they're in... And you don't have any scars! I still have a 2" scar on the back of my right hand 2 years after my LT install.

It's been a week and my nicks are still healing. It was well worth it though!

[MadMike1337]

sounds great! do u plan on changing the midpipes to either high flow or an o/r setup?

also why did u go with lock bolts? do the bolts that you get from bbk back out and cause problems? how do they lock anyway?

[pwmustang06]

Header bolts can back out due to increased vibration. I had a C3 Corvette with full length headers once and they developed a leak. It was pretty expensive to have fixed. I went with the locking header bolts to hopefully prevent a future problem.

Ford Racing Performance Parts repackages the Stage 8 bolts and sells them under their brand. Here's what they say about them on their webpage:

Ford Racing Performance Parts [M-9432-A54]

The bolts have a tear shaped piece of stamped metal that is placed over the bolt after it is tightened and secured with a clip. The metal collar is situated against the tubing by the installer such that if the bolt attempted to rotate, then it would not be able to do so due to contact between the metal collar and the header itself.

I don't believe in deleting the cats for environmental reasons, so I won't be adding an off road x-pipe. More importantly, I am now so happy with the exhaust note, that I don't really want to change it. I'm starting to think this might be my last significant mod beyond small cosmetic things.

[pwmustang06]

Oh, and I'm going to need more data before I can if the gas mileage has increased or not. The problem is I end up going wide open throttle several times or spraying whenever I drive this car...not exactly conservative driving!