Longtubes, I have a few questions....

[88COBRA]

Hey all,

I am looking to get some long tubes. I have decided on MAC as I have their cat-back and I like the quality and sound.

Now my questions. The car is currently a AOD. I will be doing the T5 swap and so I figured I should do the headers and h-pipe at the same time while the tranny is gone.

I know I will have to raise the motor, and disconnect the steering linkage. Not a huge deal. I have air tools so most of the dis-assembly and install should go fairly quick.

My concern is the starter. I have no problem taking it off, but I read another post that said the 87-90 starters are too big for longtubes? Can anyone confirm/deny?

Here is my proposed setup:
MAC 1 5/8 Long Tube headers, MAC Long tube h-pipe with cats, MAC Cat-Back (already installed) Because it is all MAC it should go together very nicely and give my car a very unique sound.

I also know I have to get extensions for O2 sensors, again not a big deal.

Is there anything else I should know? My car is in storage now, but I want to get all the parts ready for spring.

Thanks!

[88COBRA]

Now that I think about it, will I even have to jack the motor if my tranny, bellhousing, ect.. are off?

Ian

[faststang90]

i dont know if the mac will clear the starter but the bbk will and u dont have to mess with the steering and for the o2 su can get the o2 for a 88 turbo coupe and they will fit just fine they r long u may need new ones anyway

[NotchJohnson]

I just got done putting that same system on my car, except I have a prochamber. Let me tell you I am not too fond of MAC after purchasing their longtubes. They sound great, and really ad power after you bust your *** getting them on. First of all, dont even read the instructions, they are so far off from the truth they shouldnt even include them. They tell you to put the headers in from the bottom, and that the motor only needs to be jacked up 1-2 inches. Let me tell you I jacked up my motor all the way to the firewall and the drivers side still barely fit. The passenger side is a different story. I had to remove the starter, and the motor mount completely, and it still didnt want to slide around the bellhousing without a fight. Oh and It goes in from the top, not the bottom. Maybe if you do yours with the tranny out youll have alot easier time. I also had problems with the header bolts included. The bolt heads were too wide and rubbed on 2 of the tubes when they were tightened, thus I had to slightly squeeze a ding in the tubes with a pair of vise grips. If I had to do it again I would have looked into a pair of BBK long tubes, I hear they are easier to install. I hope this helps you out man, good luck. John P.S. They sounded awesome after I got everything together.

[88COBRA]

Hey Notch,

I would say your problem was the AOD. I have heard all of the problems that you just described when trying to install onto a AOD car.

I am not too worried, I will pull the motor from the top with a hoist so it should go fairly easy.

Thanks for the info.

Ian

[JetDoc01]

I just installed mac longtubes & they were a pain in th a$$!!First off you will have to raise the motor quite a bit.I had problems with the steering shaft hitting 2 of the tubes. I had to remove the drivers side header twice before I got this squared.The right side cleared my starter ...no problem. Good luck

[NotchJohnson]

Yeah my bellhousing was definitely a big part of the problem, if I had a 5 speed it seemed like it would have been a hell of alot easier. Good Luck, John

[88COBRA]

That is what I am hoping.

I will be doing my rear end (gears, maybe overhaul) 5 speed conversion, and the longtubes all at one time since the car will be apart. And also since I will be lifting the motor out, instead of jacking it, I hope the install will go easy.

What do you think about installing used Longtubes?

Ian

[LX XLR8R]

i have never had a prob with thier long tubes..done about a dozen installs of them..in fatc last nigh i did one and only removed the passenger motor mount...the drivers side slide in without taking the mount out...anyways you drop them in from the top..very cake..and as for the o2 sensors..autozonse sells the o2s in dffrent legnth leads...just get the longest one..

[88COBRA]

LX: In your experience, have you ever installed a used set? Would you recommend buying new?

Also, where do you buy your headers? Where is the best price?

Thanks

[88COBRA]

LX: You have the setup I want except I am going with the Cat h-pipe. How is the sound? I have a 100% stock car will I be happy with the sound.

I do have the MAC Cat-back on there now, and I really like it, I wanted to stay all MAC because it will bolt together perfect.

Anyhow, how is the sound? Keep in mind I have the stock cam.

Ian

[LX XLR8R]

i think all the sets i installed were used...lol..bets thing if you buy a used kit is sand them down and spray them with 2500deg header paint..i did mine 2 yeras ago and still look the same..

wit MAC long tubes they are individual primaries but unlike the shorty headers you can "perswade" these enuff with you hand to get the bolts to line up unlike the shorties when you really had to use a long screwdriver/prybar..to me i would rather have to do an extra minute work to begin with with the MACS then buy connected flanged like BBK and get leaks more often..infact b4 individual flanged came out(were talking 60's) poeple used to hacksaw the flange so they would be individual...

sound will be louder and you will get all around power..after owning long tubes i would NEVER EVER buy shorties again..they make the engine look cleaner, less heat under hood..easier IMO to work on

will you be going with the prochamber, regualr H, Xpipe cats no cats????

[88COBRA]

Thanks for the reply!

I have to with with cats because they are doing emmision testing starting next year.

What about price? How much should a used set of headers cost? Under $100? How about the h-pipe with cats? $250?

Thanks

Ian

[Mustang_289]

Just installed complete MAC system including LTs, they were a pain to get in, they do clear the starter no problem. Only problem I'm having is the steering linkage rubs against the tubes on drivers side. I'd like to know how JetDoc01 fixed the problem of linkage rubbing tubes?

Stock 5.0 with a few bolt-ons - sound is awesome!

[NotchJohnson]

You will definitely be satisfied with the sound and power, my car is basically stock and I can feel the difference, and hear it too. Sound is awesome. Good luck.

[Strim91GT]

I'm going with an all new mac system for my car. Hopefully it all goes together without a problem. Except it's going on a 91 with a 393 stroker. so hopefully the 5.8 long tube headers will work okay. But it should be pretty simple getting them in since the engine compartment is empty right now. I've got a tremec tko in the car so it should be easier than an aod. And i'm going with a mac 3" pro chamber and 3" catback. Hopefully it sounds okay. if not i will be pist after getting my stroker together and it sounds like crap. I guess we'll see in about a month if everything goes together okay. i'm still waiting on my o-ringed 351 windsor block before i can assemble it. I've heard mostly good things about mac though, so that's what i based my decision on. they were about the only company offering a 3" system and i wanted to stay with one brand throughout the system. Good luck, I would definately try to stick with one company. the parts will match up better IMO.