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orangestang42

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Ok i decided to take a gamble on a pair of BBk shorty headers that i picked up for $40 bucks but they arent for my model (sn 95). I do believe they are for the earlier fox bodies. Anyways i got it all on and when i was bolting up the x pipe the first thing i noticed is that where you connect the mid pipe and header together is different, so when i bolted my x pipe up it left a gap between the header and mid pipe now i have a pretty good exhaust leak. My question is what should i do about this, i know if i take it to a exhaust shop will they cut out a section of the pipe just below where the header and mid pipe connect and make a new section of piping? Im thinkin they can make a new "ball joint" if thats what they call it by using their pipe flaring tool. Also i took a look at the flange on the 87-93 midpipe and they do not look anything like the 94 and 95. The problem that i have now is that my mid pipe is flaired out too much where the ball and socket connect...and i know this isnt exactly a clear description of whats goin on but if anyone needs me to clarify by all means please ask, and thanks for the help
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Discussion starter · #6 ·
yeah its just been a pain in the rear...idk why my mid pipe is leaving such a gap, but do you guys think it will be an easy fix for them? i have a bassani mid pipe and they already had to cut it once to get the cats out.
 
#7 ·
headers might be tweeked or something.........


I have BBK sn95 headers on my fox, and they line up with my mid pipes, both my off-road pipe, and the stock one with the cat's.....
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
well i had a small problem getting a couple of the bolts in but they are on now...i was able to get the mid pipe to line up but the flanges on the mid pipe are different..the one on my mid pipe is too wide, im gonna go down to a reputable exhaust shop here in town and see what they have to say
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
ok guys i went down to the exhaust shop and they said around $150 to fix the two sides of my midpipe, does this seem like a good deal? and i have one more question, do you have to buy special gaskets when you install new headers? i bought a new set of the stock fel-pro gaskets and installed them is that right? they seem to seal fine up by the motor but then again i cant really tell if its leaking..sorry if im being so paranoid but i hate leaks with a passion lol
 
#10 ·
that sounds like a lot too me, you can buy a new midpipe for that much. but it might be because im in a different area. i went to a small muffler shop, and they did really good work without charging big company prices. i had used the felpro gaskets with my old mac headers, and some of it burned off, i think it was cause the headers sucked.now im trying the mr. gasket header gasket on the ford motorsports headers i put on. good luck
 
#11 ·
if your mid pipe fit fine with your stock headers, I would say the headers are the problem.


I kept having exhaust gaskets blow, and ****, I got tired of tightning header bolts every 50 miles, so I bought stage 8 locking header bolts. In hindsight I should have checked my headers with a strait edge, and junk, but the stage 8 bolts have worked fine, no leaks at all, and no header bolts backing out.
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
oh yeah i know the headers have a different flange on the end of them and thats why they dont bolt up to my mid pipe anymore, either way i look at it im gonna have to spend the money and have my mid pipe cut and custom fitted to the headers...im not really worried about the headers because i tightened them suckers down good...and i didnt have any leaks with my stock ones
 
#13 ·
302Army187 said:
if your mid pipe fit fine with your stock headers, I would say the headers are the problem.


I kept having exhaust gaskets blow, and ****, I got tired of tightning header bolts every 50 miles, so I bought stage 8 locking header bolts. In hindsight I should have checked my headers with a strait edge, and junk, but the stage 8 bolts have worked fine, no leaks at all, and no header bolts backing out.
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nice idea! Yeah i had to change mine out, i had some EQ length on there when i bought the car ( Absolutely hate them ) and they were warped and twisted and just fit like ****, i was getting exhaust leaks all the time too. Its just a pain in the ass, and got sick of it, and with them being EQ length they were a bitch to tighten all the time. So i just saved up and bought new reg. Shorties and spend a little extra on better gaskets and she doing good now. But i like your idea if i have anymore issues occur i might do the same, seems like a wise idea, nice work.:D

But honestly man i would consider at least thinking about trying to save up to just get new headers, especially if they want to charge you $150 to fix it, and if the headers end up leaking and being a pain in the ass shortly down the road it would of been a waste. At least with new ones you can be sure they will work perfectly. If nothing else i would at least ask around different shops to see if you can get it fixed for cheaper someplace else. That seems steep.
 
#14 ·
You can buy a good used set of unequal length headers to fit your car and your H for less than what it will cost you to permanently change your good fitting H pipe. Sell the headers and don't buy another set unless they have the EGR fitting on the passenger side header.
 
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Discussion starter · #17 ·
yeah guys, it seems like im gonna be taking a gamble no matter what i do. I really am considering just payin the 150 and be done with it. Then my x pipe will fit the way its suppose to and i wont have to take those damn headers back off cuz they were a pain in the ass...but what i did notice is i looked at a set of 94-95 gt shorty headers and they have the same exact flange on the end of them just like the 87-93 ones do, is it possible i just got a wierd x pipe? my stock ones bolted up fine, its a bassani x pipe, originally had cats on it but i had them cut out, its pretty much a frankenstein x pipe, not like im gonna be hurt if i decide to cut the two sides to make new flanges to connect to the headers, but this is a pretty reputable shop and they do GOOD work, and im certain they can seal it off good, is there a good way to test and make sure that my headers sealed off good where they met the motor?
 
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orangestang42
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