MAC Longtubes?

86GT · 01-24-2003, 09:15 AM

I've had MACs and BBKs in my car. The MACs were the worst ones to install and remove, they had to basically come out with the motor. The BBKs were somewhat easier, still needed the motor lifted about 2". Neither one rubbed the starter or the steering shaft (luckily). O2 sensors were the usual for LT headers, needing a 6" or so piece unless you are able to move the harness for the O2 sensor by the firewall and run it down over the bellhousing (Worked for me, didn't need any extensions then).

Of the two, its hard to choose. The BBKs made it easier to remove the spark plugs, but that 1 piece flange concerned me, what if it warps? (It never did, but the thought remained.) They are the chrome ones, but you could never tell now, they are rusted as bad as the MACs.

The MACs, rusted out almost completely (all they had was their HTS coating which just keeps them looking good on the shelf). They were the pain to install, harder to get at some of the plugs, but their individual tubes made for peace of mind, and they are usually cheaper.

I will note that on my car an H-pipe for BBKs will not work on MACs. I have a 2 1/2" Cat pipe (MAC) and it wouldn't work on my BBKs, nor would the O/R pipe(BBK) work on the MACs. I think when I install my new setup, I'm gonna run the MACs for now, since they'll work with the cat pipe, and get an O/R pipe for them, and sell off the BBKs. It really comes down to which one you like best, and how much you want to spend.

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01-24-2003, 09:15 AM	#1
86GT Sniffed too much n20 Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 1,018	I've had MACs and BBKs in my car. The MACs were the worst ones to install and remove, they had to basically come out with the motor. The BBKs were somewhat easier, still needed the motor lifted about 2". Neither one rubbed the starter or the steering shaft (luckily). O2 sensors were the usual for LT headers, needing a 6" or so piece unless you are able to move the harness for the O2 sensor by the firewall and run it down over the bellhousing (Worked for me, didn't need any extensions then). Of the two, its hard to choose. The BBKs made it easier to remove the spark plugs, but that 1 piece flange concerned me, what if it warps? (It never did, but the thought remained.) They are the chrome ones, but you could never tell now, they are rusted as bad as the MACs. The MACs, rusted out almost completely (all they had was their HTS coating which just keeps them looking good on the shelf). They were the pain to install, harder to get at some of the plugs, but their individual tubes made for peace of mind, and they are usually cheaper. I will note that on my car an H-pipe for BBKs will not work on MACs. I have a 2 1/2" Cat pipe (MAC) and it wouldn't work on my BBKs, nor would the O/R pipe(BBK) work on the MACs. I think when I install my new setup, I'm gonna run the MACs for now, since they'll work with the cat pipe, and get an O/R pipe for them, and sell off the BBKs. It really comes down to which one you like best, and how much you want to spend.