Buy the MAC longtubes or save it?

[bolivianpimp]

Ok guys hear out my dilemma. Well I have been trying to save up for F/I (either a turbo or a s/c) but with so many bills coming in it’s been hard. I see many supercharger kits go for around $3500 and I would do install myself with a couple of buddies. My mods are : intake, tune, pypes offroad H , and 4.10’s. I found a guy locally that is selling his mac long tubes with the offroad prochamber for $500. If I buy the long tubes, I could probably sell my pypes offroad pipe for $100 , making the ehader purchase only 400. Would you buy the headers, install yourself with buddies and enjoy the sound and a supporting mod for the supercharger, or just not buy at all and try and save for the supercharger? Would I see at least 10 hp gain with the macs? Is the sound worth it alone? Can I install headers with simple hand tools in my driveway? Thanks for the feedback guys,.

 

[trill gear head]

What do you really want most off all? Save up for the s/c.

 

[2NY]

well that is a super deal..doesnt the prochamber alone go for over $400 and you cant even like find mac longtubes and those are still around the $400 mark when they are used anyway..i mean...that sounds like a steal to me but thats only cause i want headers really bad

 

[brady_f]

Sounds like a really good deal...I would definitely pick those up if I didn't already have longtubes. Remember the true cost of FI though... tune, gauges, plugs, ect. That stuff adds up really quick and can easily turn your $3500 kit into well over $4,000. Longtubes are still one of my favorite mod's to date though; the sound difference is great.

 

[brady_f]

Oh, and to answer your questions. Yes you can install them in your garage. You generally gain 10+ hp with a tune, and the sound is definitely worth it alone.

 

[bigray327]

I'd pick them up, for that price. I did an almost identical deal. Don't forget to get gaskets, new clamps, Stage 8 locking bolts, and O2 extenders.

 

[stangzilla]

get the LT's now and the SC later.

 

[bolivianpimp]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Sounds like a really good deal...I would definitely pick those up if I didn't already have longtubes. Remember the true cost of FI though... tune, gauges, plugs, ect. That stuff adds up really quick and can easily turn your $3500 kit into well over $4,000. Longtubes are still one of my favorite mod's to date though; the sound difference is great.

Very true since gauges and a dyno tune will run a couple hundred $$$. I need to factor that in the price.

I'd pick them up, for that price. I did an almost identical deal. Don't forget to get gaskets, new clamps, Stage 8 locking bolts, and O2 extenders.

How do you like the sound? How much am i looking at for the extra parts ? Did you do the install yourself or someone else?

 

[bigray327]

How do you like the sound? How much am i looking at for the extra parts ? Did you do the install yourself or someone else?

Factory gaskets should cost you $20 or so. Percy gaskets are $40, but I'm told they don't crush as well as the OEM ones. The Stage 8 locking bolts were $45 shipped. If you wanna go super cheap, you can re-use the stock gaskets and bolts. It's just not prudent to do so.

Regarding sound, I'll let you know in a week when I get the car back. It's getting a built short block installed right now, so I had them throw in the long tubes while the engine was out... i.e. cheap installation!

 

[acervas1]

I installed FRPP shorties on my car in my buddies garage and it took us a good 5-6 hrs taking our time.

Longtubes are suppose to be an even more difficult fitment. I'd say just be patient, take your time, and enjoy working on your car.

Wear mechanics gloves I tore my hands up pretty good bolting up the headers by hand first before cranking them down with a stubby flex-head ratchet wrench set.

Good luck - sounds like a steal.

 

[brady_f]

The longtube install is easy as long as you take your time...granted it can be time consuming, but definitely worth it. I reused my stock bolts and my headers came with new gaskets...they have been on the car almost a year and I haven't had a problem with them leaking, coming loose, ect. My vote would be to reuse your bolts, buy a new set of OEM gaskets, (or even clean your old ones up and reuse them as long as they are really low mileage) and then get an updated tune.

Then start saving for the blower.

 

[Shades]

Stage 8 locking bolts were $45 shipped.

The cheapest I could find the Stage 8 bolts were $68 and that was on their website. Are they really worth it? I have new gaskets and o2 extensions just not sure if the bolts are necessary..

 

[Silver06]

Stage 8 bolts on SummitRacing for $44:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/STG-8906/

 

[Embalmer]

I LOVE my CeraMACS! Do NOT skimp and get the Stage 8's!!! It's no fun having header leaks. They will take a bit more time with the flags and clips but will save you lots of headaches in the long run. Make sure you get the 3V kit because the flags for the 2V kit are too short to make contact with the primaries.

The install will take a bit of time and patience. The MAC instructions arw worthless. You will need to support the motor from below and remove both mount brackets to access the area. Also, the starter must be removed. There are a couple threads on this forum regarding installing the MAC's.

 

[bolivianpimp]

Guys somebody bought them only after one day of listing the headers! . I guess i won't get to have them this time.. but i made up my mind on what i can do. I will just keep scouting the forums and local classifieds to try and find a header/midpipe combo for 500$ . The sound alone will be worth it ! If i don't find some for cheap before i get enough for the s/c, then i will get boosted . The latest i will have to wait to be boosted is march when bonuses are paid!!

 

[acervas1]

Guys somebody bought them only after one day of listing the headers! . I guess i won't get to have them this time.. but i made up my mind on what i can do. I will just keep scouting the forums and local classifieds to try and find a header/midpipe combo for 500$ . The sound alone will be worth it ! If i don't find some for cheap before i get enough for the s/c, then i will get boosted . The latest i will have to wait to be boosted is march when bonuses are paid!!

Dude that sucks! I actually know who beat you to them

Wasn't me though - Houston market is tough man stuff goes fast. Good luck on the new search though.

 

[470 GT/CS]

Guys somebody bought them only after one day of listing the headers! . I guess i won't get to have them this time.. but i made up my mind on what i can do. I will just keep scouting the forums and local classifieds to try and find a header/midpipe combo for 500$ . The sound alone will be worth it ! If i don't find some for cheap before i get enough for the s/c, then i will get boosted . The latest i will have to wait to be boosted is march when bonuses are paid!!

How about these? http://www.stage3motorsports.com/product/PSCK1/200508_Mustang_GT_Pacesetter_Long_Tube_Headers_H_Pipe_134_Primary.html You can get them ceramic coated, which comes out to a 540.00 total. They are 1 3/4'' primary, which is perfect for F/I cars.

 

[pieperz06]

Guys somebody bought them only after one day of listing the headers! .

it was more like 15 minutes from what herd and it wasn't me

 

[gijosh28]

I would save up for the FI. First of all youre going to need a tune with the longtubes anyway. Do you have a tuner? Second, most other bolt on mods pale in comparison to FI (unless youre Matt D who can lighten an s197 like a madman ). Lastly if you go supercharged, it actually makes the exhaust sound tougher anyway, plus you get the whistle/whine. Before I get flamed this is just my opinoin.

Also, take a look in my sig. I know you said you don't have the money right now, but I am selling a turbonetics turbo kit for a smokin deal. Theres always a good deal on some kind of FI for s197s.

 

[bolivianpimp]

Dude that sucks! I actually know who beat you to them
Wasn't me though - Houston market is tough man stuff goes fast. Good luck on the new search though.

it was more like 15 minutes from what herd and it wasn't me

Yeah with good deals like that, You have to be ready to pull the trigger and not be like me and make a posting about it lol. You guys probably told on me! J/K. I know the guy that bought it is selling his prochamber for shorty headers .

How about these? http://www.stage3motorsports.com/product/PSCK1/200508_Mustang_GT_Pacesetter_Long_Tube_Headers_H_Pipe_134_Primary.html You can get them ceramic coated, which comes out to a 540.00 total. They are 1 3/4'' primary, which is perfect for F/I cars.

Anybody has good experiences with these? Any fitment or leaking issues? They are a damn good price for $500 for headers and midpipe ceramic coated. I wonder if I can find a dyno sheet or any positive feedback from these headesrs.

I would save up for the FI. First of all youre going to need a tune with the longtubes anyway. Do you have a tuner? Second, most other bolt on mods pale in comparison to FI (unless youre Matt D who can lighten an s197 like a madman ). Lastly if you go supercharged, it actually makes the exhaust sound tougher anyway, plus you get the whistle/whine. Before I get flamed this is just my opinoin.

Also, take a look in my sig. I know you said you don't have the money right now, but I am selling a turbonetics turbo kit for a smokin deal. Theres always a good deal on some kind of FI for s197s.

Yeah I seen your thread and it made me want it now! But realistically I don’t think I can come up with $3,500 plus the $500 for dynotune and $300-400 in gauges that I would need for it. Too bad Christmas bonuses are not paid out till march… now who came up with that crap?