MAC's definition of quality.

LOCASH · 02-19-2001, 08:05 PM

About a month ago I was whining about a header leak ("exhaust leak from hell"). Well I bought Earl's gaskets, Stage 8's and 2 extra sets of gaskets because I am in Italy and it takes 2 weeks for anything to get here. Blah, blah, finally I get a chance to take them off and take them to a machine shop and guess what....the F***ing thing is cracked near a weld. Fantastic. Now I get to deal with McCarville Ford and MAC. McCarville "will let me know" when "they hear from MAC". Pretty standard. I won't hold my breath. bye-bye $140. The moral of the story...you get what you pay for.Total costs:headers $140 s+h, earl's gaskets and stage 8's (which by the way work quite nicely)~$67.00, 2 extra sets of gaskets ~$40.00, endless hours of frustration-priceless.

------------------
86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Steeda G-trac and subs, Strut bar.
"DRIVE LIKE YOU STOLE IT!"

2FastLX · 02-19-2001, 08:24 PM

I just bought a full MAC exhaust system and the (so called) chrome tips and headers rusted almost immediately. I've emailed them (went to MAC directly) a few times with pics of the tips and a copy of the invoice and haven't heard any good news as of yet other than we'll replace the tips. It has been a few weeks now since my first contact with them when they told me this and I'm starting to get a little ticked off myself. It'll definately be the last piece of MAC exhaust I ever buy.

DemonGT · 02-19-2001, 08:53 PM

that sounds kind of odd to me that you paid $140 for Mac headers....i have Mac long tubes and they ran me $220

------------------
1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers and Cat-back

By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford

Mach 1 · 02-20-2001, 01:05 AM

I have heard bad stories about MACs quality from some reliable sources. It appears to be true. The only think MAC i have is my off road h-pipe, and it doesnt fit real good, but other than that, the quality seems acceptable.

As far as your header crack goes, simply get the crack welded, probably cost you $5.00, or whatever kind of money they use in Italy.

------------------
1993 GT/AOD
'93 Mustang GT

rtz · 02-20-2001, 01:12 AM

Are BBK's any better?

I'm going to be getting some chrome shorties soon. Who makes the best?

I need a hi-flow cat X pipe too. Who makes the best one?

IMPULSERACING · 02-20-2001, 01:59 AM

BBK's chrome shorty's look like $h!T I bought a pair and the quality sucked so I just returned them. I know have a pair of MAC Even though the coating does wear off fast I've had them on an off three times and the only problam was one of the collector bolts stripped. I e-mailed MAC they responded in one day with a phone number. When I called they asked me for my name and address and said they'd ship me out a collector bolt kit. I thought that was really cool.

------------------
92' LX Hatch 5 spd Edelbrock Performer Intake, pro-m 75mm MAF, 70mm T.B., 24lb injectors, 190lph, Mac fenderwall cold air induction, mallary ignition and coil, Cobra 1.7 rockers, 373:1 gear, upper and lower control arms, supersubs, 50/50's, front drag springs, no sway bar, battery in hatch, compucar N20 kit

stockrodder · 02-20-2001, 02:07 AM

if you get anything but ceramic coated headers... the coating be it chrome or hi temp paint is gonna burn off the first time they get hot. For the tips.. best to go stainless for lasting beauty

rtz · 02-20-2001, 02:32 AM

Well I thought chrome could take the heat and I can't stand rusty headers.

So what is the best coating that will not flake off?

Who makes the best shorty headers these days?

2FastLX · 02-20-2001, 09:27 AM

I have never seen a set, but I just don't see how you could go wrong with a set of Ford Racing Products shorties. I've heard they are pretty nice.

Mach 1 · 02-20-2001, 10:53 AM

I have the chrome BBK shorties on my car for over three years(unequal length), and the quality is awesome. Some of the nicest headers I have ever seen. They NEVER turned blue, and they still look great. I would recommend them 100% based on my experience with BBK headers.

I originally was going to order MAC, but the guy at the speed shop told me macs quality was "inconsistent" and wouldnt even sell them to me. Then I went with the BBKs.

------------------
1993 GT/AOD
'93 Mustang GT

Patrick Boetticher · 02-20-2001, 12:14 PM

I would have to go with MACH 1 i have had BBKS on my car for about 1 year they still are nice and shiney and have a slight tint of blue on them (they are just chrome plated) i am very happy with them they have a thick mating surface and nice welds. and they were a great fit and easy to put in. they local expert at the speed shop said MAC is crap. he said install time is almost double and they dont last... he told me to go with FMS.. but i did no thave t money. i got my bbks for 180... a sale at PAW.

------------------
PPG Torch Red 95GT, Ported Explorer Intake, E-303 cam, 75mm MAS, BBK Adj. fuel Reg & gauge, BBK Shorty Headers, BBK H-pipe, March Pulleys, 2 Chamber Flowmasters, Kenny Brown 6 point Roll cage, Kenny Brown Panhard Bar, Powerslot Rotors, Eibach Sportline Springs, 180* Thermostat, 1/2 Plenum Spacer, MSD 6AL, MSD Master Blaster, MSD 8.8 Wires, 19# Racing Injectors, AFS 10.5" Cobra R's, Nitto 555's, Eclipse & JL Stereo System... I just sold My K&N, It looks funny with Stock Air Box & filter!!!

LOCASH · 02-20-2001, 01:54 PM

Is anyone running the FMS headers? How are they? I am expecting to get hosed by McCarville Ford so I guess I'll just pull up some cash for something better.

Skyman · 02-20-2001, 02:06 PM

I have MACs on my car and they fit up perfectly no problems.

Skyler

------------------
-1989 Saleen Mustang #406-
TFS Heads, E-303 Cam, Edelbrock Intake, and a whole lot more.
13.2@106mph
-Shooting for 12's and a 351 slowly in the works!

Stock-94 Integra 15.48@91mph

rtz · 02-20-2001, 05:36 PM

So do chrome shorties rust out or not?

Mach 1 · 02-20-2001, 05:43 PM

No, they dont.

------------------
1993 GT/AOD
'93 Mustang GT

LOCASH · 02-20-2001, 07:19 PM

I should hope that if they make 10 pairs of headers at least 8 fit well, they are after all,in the exhaust buisness. I can understand if my headers are defective but McCarville telling me that they are waiting to hear from MAC is a bunch of $hit. I don't recall them having to "wait to hear from MAC" when they charged me for them.

Jaydee · 02-20-2001, 08:03 PM

I've had Mac shorty's on my car since 1996 - No leaks, no rust just the regular blue tint on the chrome from heat cycling. Also have had the Mac hi flow cat pipe on for two years that fits well and the coating still looks decent. I could just be lucky with the Mac stuff, but I have no complaints with it.

------------------
1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

GodStang · 02-21-2001, 10:31 AM

My MAC off-road h-pipe has been great on my car. No problems taken it off once already and fits back snugg. Takes about 10 mins to put up.

Patrick Boetticher · 02-24-2001, 10:29 PM

I was only stating what the muffler guy in cam said...

rtz · 02-28-2001, 12:31 AM

Does Mac even make chrome headers?

http://www.macperformance.com/macsto...stangshort.asp

02-19-2001, 08:05 PM	#1
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	MAC's definition of quality. About a month ago I was whining about a header leak ("exhaust leak from hell"). Well I bought Earl's gaskets, Stage 8's and 2 extra sets of gaskets because I am in Italy and it takes 2 weeks for anything to get here. Blah, blah, finally I get a chance to take them off and take them to a machine shop and guess what....the F***ing thing is cracked near a weld. Fantastic. Now I get to deal with McCarville Ford and MAC. McCarville "will let me know" when "they hear from MAC". Pretty standard. I won't hold my breath. bye-bye $140. The moral of the story...you get what you pay for.Total costs:headers $140 s+h, earl's gaskets and stage 8's (which by the way work quite nicely)~$67.00, 2 extra sets of gaskets ~$40.00, endless hours of frustration-priceless. ------------------ 86 GT T-tops, AOD, B&M shift kit and hammer shifter, ROH wheels, K&N, Timing,MAC headers, 2.5 off road H, 2.5 American Thunder, 87 spindles, rear disc,SS lines, BBK 1.5, poly bushings, Steeda G-trac and subs, Strut bar. "DRIVE LIKE YOU STOLE IT!"

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02-19-2001, 08:24 PM	#2
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I just bought a full MAC exhaust system and the (so called) chrome tips and headers rusted almost immediately. I've emailed them (went to MAC directly) a few times with pics of the tips and a copy of the invoice and haven't heard any good news as of yet other than we'll replace the tips. It has been a few weeks now since my first contact with them when they told me this and I'm starting to get a little ticked off myself. It'll definately be the last piece of MAC exhaust I ever buy.

02-19-2001, 08:53 PM	#3
DemonGT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 879	that sounds kind of odd to me that you paid $140 for Mac headers....i have Mac long tubes and they ran me $220 ------------------ 1991 GT,T-5,air silencer removed,racing clutch(previous owner put in so dont know what kind),K&N air filter,Aiwa deck,power acoustic amp,2 12" pianeers,UPDATE: Just got my Mac long tube headers and Cat-back By the time summer comes ill have full Mac exhaust,new shifter knob and what ever else i can afford

02-20-2001, 01:05 AM	#4
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I have heard bad stories about MACs quality from some reliable sources. It appears to be true. The only think MAC i have is my off road h-pipe, and it doesnt fit real good, but other than that, the quality seems acceptable. As far as your header crack goes, simply get the crack welded, probably cost you $5.00, or whatever kind of money they use in Italy. ------------------ 1993 GT/AOD '93 Mustang GT

02-20-2001, 01:12 AM	#5
rtz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 180	Are BBK's any better? I'm going to be getting some chrome shorties soon. Who makes the best? I need a hi-flow cat X pipe too. Who makes the best one?

02-20-2001, 01:59 AM	#6
IMPULSERACING Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: chicago,IL,USA Posts: 158	BBK's chrome shorty's look like $h!T I bought a pair and the quality sucked so I just returned them. I know have a pair of MAC Even though the coating does wear off fast I've had them on an off three times and the only problam was one of the collector bolts stripped. I e-mailed MAC they responded in one day with a phone number. When I called they asked me for my name and address and said they'd ship me out a collector bolt kit. I thought that was really cool. ------------------ 92' LX Hatch 5 spd Edelbrock Performer Intake, pro-m 75mm MAF, 70mm T.B., 24lb injectors, 190lph, Mac fenderwall cold air induction, mallary ignition and coil, Cobra 1.7 rockers, 373:1 gear, upper and lower control arms, supersubs, 50/50's, front drag springs, no sway bar, battery in hatch, compucar N20 kit

02-20-2001, 02:07 AM	#7
stockrodder Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Arlington, WA, USA Posts: 27	if you get anything but ceramic coated headers... the coating be it chrome or hi temp paint is gonna burn off the first time they get hot. For the tips.. best to go stainless for lasting beauty

02-20-2001, 02:32 AM	#8
rtz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 180	Well I thought chrome could take the heat and I can't stand rusty headers. So what is the best coating that will not flake off? Who makes the best shorty headers these days?

02-20-2001, 09:27 AM	#9
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I have never seen a set, but I just don't see how you could go wrong with a set of Ford Racing Products shorties. I've heard they are pretty nice.

02-20-2001, 10:53 AM	#10
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I have the chrome BBK shorties on my car for over three years(unequal length), and the quality is awesome. Some of the nicest headers I have ever seen. They NEVER turned blue, and they still look great. I would recommend them 100% based on my experience with BBK headers. I originally was going to order MAC, but the guy at the speed shop told me macs quality was "inconsistent" and wouldnt even sell them to me. Then I went with the BBKs. ------------------ 1993 GT/AOD '93 Mustang GT

02-20-2001, 12:14 PM	#11
Patrick Boetticher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Camarillo/Thousand Oaks Ca Posts: 223	I would have to go with MACH 1 i have had BBKS on my car for about 1 year they still are nice and shiney and have a slight tint of blue on them (they are just chrome plated) i am very happy with them they have a thick mating surface and nice welds. and they were a great fit and easy to put in. they local expert at the speed shop said MAC is crap. he said install time is almost double and they dont last... he told me to go with FMS.. but i did no thave t money. i got my bbks for 180... a sale at PAW. ------------------ PPG Torch Red 95GT, Ported Explorer Intake, E-303 cam, 75mm MAS, BBK Adj. fuel Reg & gauge, BBK Shorty Headers, BBK H-pipe, March Pulleys, 2 Chamber Flowmasters, Kenny Brown 6 point Roll cage, Kenny Brown Panhard Bar, Powerslot Rotors, Eibach Sportline Springs, 180* Thermostat, 1/2 Plenum Spacer, MSD 6AL, MSD Master Blaster, MSD 8.8 Wires, 19# Racing Injectors, AFS 10.5" Cobra R's, Nitto 555's, Eclipse & JL Stereo System... I just sold My K&N, It looks funny with Stock Air Box & filter!!!

02-20-2001, 01:54 PM	#12
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	Is anyone running the FMS headers? How are they? I am expecting to get hosed by McCarville Ford so I guess I'll just pull up some cash for something better.

02-20-2001, 02:06 PM	#13
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	I have MACs on my car and they fit up perfectly no problems. Skyler ------------------ -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- TFS Heads, E-303 Cam, Edelbrock Intake, and a whole lot more. 13.2@106mph -Shooting for 12's and a 351 slowly in the works! Stock-94 Integra 15.48@91mph

02-20-2001, 05:36 PM	#14
rtz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 180	So do chrome shorties rust out or not?

02-20-2001, 05:43 PM	#15
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	No, they dont. ------------------ 1993 GT/AOD '93 Mustang GT

02-20-2001, 07:19 PM	#16
LOCASH Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Santa Lucia di Budoia, Italy Posts: 217	I should hope that if they make 10 pairs of headers at least 8 fit well, they are after all,in the exhaust buisness. I can understand if my headers are defective but McCarville telling me that they are waiting to hear from MAC is a bunch of $hit. I don't recall them having to "wait to hear from MAC" when they charged me for them.

02-20-2001, 08:03 PM	#17
Jaydee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Conn. Posts: 220	I've had Mac shorty's on my car since 1996 - No leaks, no rust just the regular blue tint on the chrome from heat cycling. Also have had the Mac hi flow cat pipe on for two years that fits well and the coating still looks decent. I could just be lucky with the Mac stuff, but I have no complaints with it. ------------------ 1965 K code coupe - numbers matching - restoration ongoing. 1987 LX notch, stock heads and intake, 3.55's and typical bolt on's 13.89@100.25

02-21-2001, 10:31 AM	#18
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	My MAC off-road h-pipe has been great on my car. No problems taken it off once already and fits back snugg. Takes about 10 mins to put up.

02-24-2001, 10:29 PM	#19
Patrick Boetticher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Camarillo/Thousand Oaks Ca Posts: 223	I was only stating what the muffler guy in cam said...

02-28-2001, 12:31 AM	#20
rtz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 180	Does Mac even make chrome headers? http://www.macperformance.com/macsto...stangshort.asp