180 degree headers

mmargareci · 11-06-2009, 06:38 AM

Has anyone ever heard of a company that produces 180 degree equal length long tubes for a 1999 Cobra?? Do you know of a race shop near southern NH that is crazy enough to try something different? I realize it would be a packaging nightmare but heck who ever said it was easy to be different.

olgreydog7 · 11-06-2009, 10:16 AM

What for? Do you mean for a turbo set up?

coolguy10786 · 11-06-2009, 11:51 AM

My guess would be for sound and some performance increase. Packaging nightmare is about right lol

mmargareci · 11-06-2009, 11:55 AM

180 degree headers take the odd exhaust pulse and connect it to the opposite header's collector to optimize the scavenging effect. Check out this link

!Header Basics

They are not going to be cheap because of all of the welding involved. But they are certainly look different and definitely optimize performance. I have taken my car as far as I can over the years the only thing that remains is a good set of headers. To be honest I do not know of anyone who makes off the shelf 180 degree headers for 4v Ford’s. When I was a kid all of the really fast big block Chevelles had them and they ran like stink at the track.

You would defiantly have to remove them to do any maintenance because of the crossover primary piping. That is a major PIA but......you have to pay to be different. I would not be surprised to pay over $3,500 for custom carbon steel set and that really does not pass the goofy test since it would only make 5 to 10 hp over a properly selected pair of stainless steel long tubes. But hey if it was easy Kooks would have a pair in their catalog.....

olgreydog7 · 11-06-2009, 07:47 PM

I don't think this is smart. Not because of the cost, but the packaging. I have Hookers with the stock k-member and there is so little room under there it is sick. Even with the motor on a stand out of teh car, putting on the headers can take a couple hours. A couple of the bolts are so close to the pipes that you have to do them in a certain order. I can't even get a box end wrench or locking tabs on all of them. Plus, the crossover would not clear the radiator, hood, or ground. I'm not sure how you'd get to the other side. Even going under the front of the engine, you'd have ground clearance issues. Mine are stratched up as it is, and my car isn't that low.

Un4GivN · 11-07-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olgreydog7

I don't think this is smart. Not because of the cost, but the packaging. I have Hookers with the stock k-member and there is so little room under there it is sick. Even with the motor on a stand out of teh car, putting on the headers can take a couple hours. A couple of the bolts are so close to the pipes that you have to do them in a certain order. I can't even get a box end wrench or locking tabs on all of them. Plus, the crossover would not clear the radiator, hood, or ground. I'm not sure how you'd get to the other side. Even going under the front of the engine, you'd have ground clearance issues. Mine are stratched up as it is, and my car isn't that low.

Not to argue, as I do have different LTs, but a couple hours on an engine stand? The last set of LTs I installed took 6 hours in the driveway on jackstands. I could use a 7/16 ratchet wrench on even the hardest to get to bolts.

olgreydog7 · 11-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Honestly I don't know how long it took me cause I did one side then the other later, buut it wasn't a quick install. I have done the p-side in the car, but lifted slightly above the mounts, but I can't see how you'd ever get the d-side in properly without dropping the k member. There are multiple bolts that you absolutly cannot get a socket on, period. They are mostly on the bottom, but a couple on the top don't quite have room between the pipe and the bolt. Just goes to show different header designs. Not that you said it, but just so people know, this ain't my first rodeo, so the time it took isn't because I'm a rookie.