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Ls1 swap headers for mustang... Will these work?

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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 08:27 PM
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Default Ls1 swap headers for mustang... Will these work?

I have a set of bbk longtubes off my 5.0. Does anyone know if they'll work out if I were to have the LS1 flanges put on them? I thought about trying to go this route before dropping a TON of money on custom headers. Also have heard the 351 swap longtubes work if u get a mini starter and a MM steering rack. Anyone have any input? I've read most all the old threads on this as well.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 08:47 PM
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who cares
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 1984camaroz28
who cares
Stop stalking me and go work on your car... Oh wait nm your motor is still down here in TEXAS
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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i know mine uses the 351/fox swap headers. they're Mac 1 3/4" primaries which are really nice. i was told the pass side practically dropped right in and only needed the head flange welded on. as for the drivers side, he had to have 3 tubes replaced, but said it still wasn't all that bad and cheaper than a custom set! sell the 5.0 headers and put the money towards a new or used set of 351/fox swap's.

ls1 motors already have mini starters from the factory. have you taken a look at one of them? they're tiny and light! don't waste your money.

as for the rack, my car has an '03 Cobra rack on it. i'm not quite sure what the previous owner/builder was referring to about the shaft itself, but i'll be ditching & selling the setup over the winter complete with p/s pump, bracket, lines, belt, pulley, rack & shaft if you or anyone else doing this is interested, as well as a number of other items from the car. feel free to pm me if interested in parts.

anyway, that should help you out some hopefully.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 09:58 PM
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Yeah I am going to run a manual rack. I think selling my current headers is the best bet. I think I have decided to go with the AJE 4.6 k member with modified mounts for the AJE sbc k-member. Does anyone know if the 4.6 k will bolt right up to my stock A arms in my 95 Stang? I'm going to order the spring perches to retain the stock A arm setup because I do not want the noise from the a arms and coilovers.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 10:19 PM
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The thing you need to look at with the 302 versus the 351w headers is the fact that the deck height on the 351w is taller and matches more closely that of the LS1. Thus, if you put 302-based headers on they might be to short and hit the floor if put on a LS1. Does that make sense? I guess someone would have to try them to see if they fit right. My guess is that the 351w headers fit better because the deck heights between the two engines are closer.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Quick Double Nickel
The thing you need to look at with the 302 versus the 351w headers is the fact that the deck height on the 351w is taller and matches more closely that of the LS1. Thus, if you put 302-based headers on they might be to short and hit the floor if put on a LS1. Does that make sense? I guess someone would have to try them to see if they fit right. My guess is that the 351w headers fit better because the deck heights between the two engines are closer.

I totally understand you... Assuming the deck height is close with the LS1 would that also mean I'd need a different hood? Guess it doesn't really matter as I plan to order a 4 inch cowl anyways.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 10:59 PM
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Deck heights do matter, but port location is the real issue. The 302 headers are a tad short and 351 headers are a bit too tall. The best bet it to use headers designed for a 302 with TFS high ports. It splits the difference between the 8.200 and 9.500 deck heights. Imagine the combo as a Ford Windsor with a 8.950 deck height. LS1 ports seem to be further apart from one bank to the other compared to the Fords.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by powershiftkung
Deck heights do matter, but port location is the real issue. The 302 headers are a tad short and 351 headers are a bit too tall. The best bet it to use headers designed for a 302 with TFS high ports. It splits the difference between the 8.200 and 9.500 deck heights. Imagine the combo as a Ford Windsor with a 8.950 deck height. LS1 ports seem to be further apart from one bank to the other compared to the Fords.
Sounds like custom headers would be the best bet... I don't want something hacked up and shitty looking in there. I want these clean. I may go with 1 7/8''s if I go custom.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 11:33 PM
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The rx7 guys use BBK 302 LT on their LS1/T56 swaps. They fit pretty well in the smaller rx7 engine compartment. I think you should prob be able to use them in a mustang depending of course on how far you have the ls1 set back in the engine bay.
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Old Nov 20, 2006 | 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by sciff5
The rx7 guys use BBK 302 LT on their LS1/T56 swaps. They fit pretty well in the smaller rx7 engine compartment. I think you should prob be able to use them in a mustang depending of course on how far you have the ls1 set back in the engine bay.
yeah I'm gonna look into it. I may just go with custom headers. no sense in skimping out on a 9 second setup right.
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Old Nov 21, 2006 | 01:07 AM
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Good luck trying to find the TFS high port headers around. I find very few used 302-based long tube headers for sale over on the mustang forums, and even less 351w swap headers (read: virtually none), and I've never seen a set of TFS high port headers for sale. I wonder how tight on the floorboard the 302-based headers would fit. They seem to be the most readily available of the bunch. If I could get a set for real cheap than maybe I'd try it.
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Old Nov 21, 2006 | 02:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Quick Double Nickel
Good luck trying to find the TFS high port headers around. I find very few used 302-based long tube headers for sale over on the mustang forums, and even less 351w swap headers (read: virtually none), and I've never seen a set of TFS high port headers for sale. I wonder how tight on the floorboard the 302-based headers would fit. They seem to be the most readily available of the bunch. If I could get a set for real cheap than maybe I'd try it.

Yeah I just hate to hack it up when I have a buyer lined up for the headers/h pipe for $250. If I knew they'd work I would just keep them but not knowing for sure makes it hard to turn down the extra 250 in my pocket versus a junked pair of headers.
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 10:47 PM
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Best bet is to get a custom setup if you're reaching for a 9-second ride. 1 7/8 should be easy to have fabbed from someone like Kooks. Where you gonna go for them?
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Old Nov 22, 2006 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by powershiftkung
Best bet is to get a custom setup if you're reaching for a 9-second ride. 1 7/8 should be easy to have fabbed from someone like Kooks. Where you gonna go for them?

Prolly somoene local. Like pro turbo systems or mike norriega.
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Old Nov 23, 2006 | 05:43 AM
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Just buy a set of MAC TF7792 headers ($300 new), and make them work. I only had to relocate one tube on the passenger side to clear the 4.6 motor mount, and I had to notch the k-member mount at the back. It only took me about 2 hours to get them tacked up and ready to coat. I am using the QA1 k-member (comes with spring perches) with the factory a-arms and coil springs , and had no issue with fit.

Jamie
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 03:20 AM
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I have heard from a few guys that MAC LS1 Fbody Mid lengths fit pretty well....
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by motorbuilt
I have heard from a few guys that MAC LS1 Fbody Mid lengths fit pretty well....

Yes I have been told this as well. But you have to have a manual steering rack and it seems all the ones I find are for fox bodies. I can't seem to find a manual steering rack for a 94-95 car.
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by motorbuilt
I have heard from a few guys that MAC LS1 Fbody Mid lengths fit pretty well....

That's not completely true. I have a set in my fox swap at the moment and they are smack dab in the middle of where the steering shaft goes. When I get home I can snap a pic if y'all like.
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Old Nov 27, 2006 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Hyde
That's not completely true. I have a set in my fox swap at the moment and they are smack dab in the middle of where the steering shaft goes. When I get home I can snap a pic if y'all like.

But r u using a manual rack?
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