Is it easy to change the H-pipe?

Fox Hound · 09-11-2002, 11:24 AM

I'd like to change my stock H-pipe out and was wondering if it is easy and how high do I need to lift the car to get it swapped? Anything welded in there, special tools needed and how long should it take? Any tips like how to prevent it from dragging on the ground or keeping it from rattling etc. before I start? TIA...

Kamaro Killer · 09-11-2002, 11:36 AM

it's just time consuming (sometimes) All you have to do is remove 4 nuts from the headers, (two on each) remove the 4 nuts from the mufflers (two on each) and drop the h-pipe. When the H-pipe sits on the headers it bends a little. Sometimes because it's a little warped it's a pain in the ***** to fit back up to the headers. I think the nuts were (for me) 18 mm on the headers, and 15 mm on the mufflers. You only need a ratchet, some sockets, and some time. You don't have to lift your car, but it does help a lot. It should take about 1/2 hour to 2 hours, depending if you have other issues with your car (like I do). Take care, Keith.

Conman · 09-11-2002, 12:04 PM

based on the number of bolts and where it is, it should be a 20 minute job but because it is exhaust and may be rusted together it could take a few hours.
Mine was a real f*** around. It was rusted so bad that I snapped two of the studs off of the headers. I had to grind them flat then drill holes for bolts so I could bolt up the new H. It was more work than I expected but it was still worth it.

Now like I said, if it's not rusted too bad it shouldn't take too long or be too hard.

Good Luck

SCOTTLT79 · 09-11-2002, 12:16 PM

I just changed my h-pipe and cat back a month ago and it was a big pain. You have to get the car up a bit. I just put my car on ramps and I had enough room to work with. My bolts coming from the headers were also rusted really bad. What I had to do was get a small torch to heat the nuts up so I could get them off. In theory, it should be a 1/2 job at most. In reality, it will most likely take a few hours. But trust me, it is more than worth the time when you stomp on that gas.
Oh yeah, I needed (and luckily had) a swivle for the ratchet set to get around the stock cat on my driver side. I have a 95 so I don't know if it will be different for you.

ByrdPE · 09-11-2002, 03:43 PM

Trust me..it will be so much easier if you got under there at least 2-3 times before you attempt to install and spray all nuts and bolts with WD40.
Mine was a breeze.
HTH

GodStang · 09-11-2002, 09:29 PM

Mine took 30 mins.

Bluefox91LX · 09-12-2002, 07:45 PM

mine took several hours because i could not get the socket past the cat. converter on the pass. side. man, that sucked.

i'll never put another cat converter there again...!!!

09-11-2002, 11:24 AM	#1
Fox Hound Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 58	Is it easy to change the H-pipe? I'd like to change my stock H-pipe out and was wondering if it is easy and how high do I need to lift the car to get it swapped? Anything welded in there, special tools needed and how long should it take? Any tips like how to prevent it from dragging on the ground or keeping it from rattling etc. before I start? TIA...

09-11-2002, 11:36 AM	#2
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	it's not too hard it's just time consuming (sometimes) All you have to do is remove 4 nuts from the headers, (two on each) remove the 4 nuts from the mufflers (two on each) and drop the h-pipe. When the H-pipe sits on the headers it bends a little. Sometimes because it's a little warped it's a pain in the ***** to fit back up to the headers. I think the nuts were (for me) 18 mm on the headers, and 15 mm on the mufflers. You only need a ratchet, some sockets, and some time. You don't have to lift your car, but it does help a lot. It should take about 1/2 hour to 2 hours, depending if you have other issues with your car (like I do). Take care, Keith. __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-11-2002, 12:04 PM	#3
Conman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 351	based on the number of bolts and where it is, it should be a 20 minute job but because it is exhaust and may be rusted together it could take a few hours. Mine was a real f*** around. It was rusted so bad that I snapped two of the studs off of the headers. I had to grind them flat then drill holes for bolts so I could bolt up the new H. It was more work than I expected but it was still worth it. Now like I said, if it's not rusted too bad it shouldn't take too long or be too hard. Good Luck __________________ '88 lx, Black on Black, check it out here Spent all my money on school, what a dumb mistake I'm old enough to know better, but still too young to care.

09-11-2002, 12:16 PM	#4
SCOTTLT79 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Raynham, Ma, USA Posts: 189	I just changed my h-pipe and cat back a month ago and it was a big pain. You have to get the car up a bit. I just put my car on ramps and I had enough room to work with. My bolts coming from the headers were also rusted really bad. What I had to do was get a small torch to heat the nuts up so I could get them off. In theory, it should be a 1/2 job at most. In reality, it will most likely take a few hours. But trust me, it is more than worth the time when you stomp on that gas. Oh yeah, I needed (and luckily had) a swivle for the ratchet set to get around the stock cat on my driver side. I have a 95 so I don't know if it will be different for you. __________________ 95 Red Mustang GT Pro 5.0, MAC fenderwall cold air induction kit, BBK Off-Road H-pipe with Magnaflow cat-back system Mostly stock(looking to modify) Rice Haters Club Member #63

09-11-2002, 03:43 PM	#5
ByrdPE Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: MEMPHIS,TN. Posts: 36	WD40..... Trust me..it will be so much easier if you got under there at least 2-3 times before you attempt to install and spray all nuts and bolts with WD40. Mine was a breeze. HTH __________________ Moroso cold air,FMS 373,KYB shocks/struts,Mac u/d Pullies,BBK sub frame connectors,3 core HD Modine radiator,T-5 swap,MAC Racer's choice shifter,FMS HD clutch, FMS 65mm TB/EGR,75mm Bullet PST performance sway-bar kit Maximum motorsports LCA's,Maximum Motorsports strut tower brace Maximum Motorsports G-load brace Auto meter H2O,oil,volt,vacuum/boost gauge assy. BBK 1 5/8 ceramic headers,custom cat H-pipe,HPM driveshaft loop, FMS aluminum D/S,3G alt. PPI Fan clutch/H2O pulley MSD6AL,MSD Blaster coil 'Tiny Avenger'intake pipe AOD to T-5 swap completed 7-14-02

09-11-2002, 09:29 PM	#6
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	Mine took 30 mins. __________________ 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra

09-12-2002, 07:45 PM	#7
Bluefox91LX Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 70	mine took several hours because i could not get the socket past the cat. converter on the pass. side. man, that sucked. i'll never put another cat converter there again...!!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Will head/intake change, change sound of car?	FivepointOH	Windsor Power	6	01-12-2004 12:26 PM
How easy is it to change the speedometer cable?	Fox Hound	Windsor Power	5	01-08-2003 08:02 PM
Off road pipe vs. Catalitic Pipe	Kamaro Killer	Windsor Power	7	04-04-2002 04:05 AM
Mac H pipe w cats vs BBK x pipe with cats??	Chevyguy	Windsor Power	15	11-16-2001 08:34 AM