3v gt headers

[the sandman]

OK I bought a open box of BBK long tubes. Box and headers match. My question is headers have a round flange and heads have a D port. Are these right? Thanks

 

[StockishS197]

Normal.

 

[the sandman]

Wow I'm confused as to how that would flow. All the tubes are different lengths too. Not alot of engineering in design.

 

[Midlife Crises]

D shaped ports with round tubes has been done forever. It works just fine and can dampen reversion.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Wow I'm confused as to how that would flow. All the tubes are different lengths too. Not alot of engineering in design.

Given the space constraints for the fitment of headers, it's almost impossible to make the primaries of equal length. Just about all headers on the market whether they're true shorty, mid length shorty, 3/4 length, or full length will have unequal length primary tubes.

 

[the sandman]

Thanks guys! I've had these for awhile and finally decided to get em on. I'm so old school, I'm scared of all the computer stuff in cars. I'm hoping sound doesn't change alot as I always get compliments on it. Catless straits to borla ataks.

 

[StockishS197]

Thanks guys! I've had these for awhile and finally decided to get em on. I'm so old school, I'm scared of all the computer stuff in cars. I'm hoping sound doesn't change alot as I always get compliments on it. Catless straits to borla ataks.

In my experience, LTs only make 3vs sound better, though with ATAKs and catless it will be wake the dead loud.

BBK headers are also not equal length, though other brands do try and get closer to a true equal length design (Kooks, Pypes, etc) though the performance improvement over one of the other is negligible.

 

[the sandman]

OK. I finally got started and it appears I'm going to see a big improvement with headers as the pipes on it were really rigged up. But I have to say guy did a good job welding lots of little pieces together. I had to get a impact to get it apart. Ran out of light so hopefully get manifolds off tomorrow and start install. I have gaskets but they are D shaped ports. Should I get gaskets for round pipes? 2v style? Thanks

 

[the sandman]

Thanks for your help. I was going to do headers with a 5.4 install but got side tracked so not waiting as I don't know when that will be done (if ever).

 

[StockishS197]

OK. I finally got started and it appears I'm going to see a big improvement with headers as the pipes on it were really rigged up. But I have to say guy did a good job welding lots of little pieces together. I had to get an impact to get it apart. Ran out of light so hopefully get manifolds off tomorrow and start install. I have gaskets but they are D shaped ports. Should I get gaskets for round pipes? 2v style? Thanks

Do yourself a favor and use ONLY Motorcraft MLS gaskets. Don’t use any aftermarket paper gaskets as they will leak and you don’t want to do the job again.

 

[the sandman]

I got FelPro,s and they look pretty good. I sure don't want to do it again. While under car I see a part missing. It is a crossbar under rear of engine. Control arm support bracket. Should I get one or isn't it necessary? I've drove car for 2 hrs as is. Maybe 6000mi.

 

[skwerl]

The crossbar wasn't used in earlier models, only added by Ford later.

 

[JC SSP]

I also recommend you get better gaskets, the BBK ones will blow out in a couple of years. Ask me how I know…

I used Kooks aluminum header gaskets PY-8023A-AL been on there for many years! Zero leaks!

 

[the sandman]

I want to thank everyone for the help but this will be last update till I make some headway. I broke a stud off in head (cylinder 8 bottom) and twisted my back/ neck rolling around in driveway under car. The it got blistering hot so no progress. X pipe is questionable due to all the welds previous owner did while learning how to weld. Hope I don't have to pull the head. Will update when I get back to it. Maybe next weekend. Thanks again.

 

[the sandman]

OK I do have one question. Can I cut the ball off end of header and just run straight pipe to x pipe with the sleeve clamps? JBA headers are made this way. It would save me $$$ and maybe flow better also. Just wonder about movement and vibration. Thanks

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

OK I do have one question. Can I cut the ball off end of header and just run straight pipe to x pipe with the sleeve clamps? JBA headers are made this way. It would save me $$$ and maybe flow better also. Just wonder about movement and vibration. Thanks

Yes, you can indeed cut the ball off the header flanges and run straight pipe between the headers and the X-pipe. If you use the correct size band clamps on each side of the straight pipe it'll be nice and solid.

 

[the sandman]

Thanks DDB, I made some headway today. Still on teardown and rain tomorrow. Would be nice if it was together by weekend.

I did finally get manifolds off. Both motor mounts are torn up. Are BMR mounts at $120 good? Looks like another step backwards. At least it's a good time to do them.

 

[Laga]

I have the BMR adjustable polyurethane mounts for 8 years now. No problems.

 

[the sandman]

Thanks Laga, They will be here soon from Summit.

 

[the sandman]

Got the mounts in. Originals were bad. Left one mount bolt was completely loose from rubber and right wasn't much better. No luck on stud.