Spent Yesterday evening putting my new Mac Headers with OYP on.

I guess its not tough just time consuming... Its alot louder which I don't like. 2 weeks ago at the track we drilled some holes in the stock muffler to see if it would make a difference. I have a WS6 exhaust thats going on so I didnt care at the time. Well the exhaust isnt on yet and its LOUD right now, at least too loud for me. It resonates through the car and makes things vibrate which I guess I sorta expected.

I fired the car up and let all the oil and smoke burn out the exhaust, doesnt sound like any leaks so thats cool.

I pulled the car out of the bay and noticed the steering felt wierd We looked at the steering linkage and its not near the header. I took the car up the street and the power steering is all messed up! It feels like the belt is slipping, its hard to turn then gets easy then hard. Its the worst at low speed and seems to be worse going left for some off reason. I can kinda feel someting in the steering wheel like a vibration or its fighting against something and can hear a "whirring" noise when it gets hard to turn but not the typical low fluid noise. We checked the fluid and it wasnt on the stick, added some to bring it up to the correct level and its still doing it. I drove 40 miles on the way home so if there was air I think it would be gone. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />

It really took the thrill out of the headers away now thinking what the heck is wrong with the steering, its not very fun to drive like this.

I dont get it, We didnt go NEAR the rack or any of the lines. Im confused and pissed! It drove fine before the headers went in!!!!!!!!!! I drove 30 miles out to my buddys shop since he has a lift and the car was fine.

I got off the highway and nailed it in second, it really pulls good, went for 3rd and missed and ground so I hit the brakes and a rabbit darts out into he road and I hit it. I swear I can feel the Y pipe hitting the floor also.

WTF!! <img border="0" alt="[fight]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_punch.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[barf]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_barf.gif" />

Man what a night....

This sucks... Anyone wanna buy an LS1 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Actually, LS1 header installs are pretty easy compared to a third gen TPI car. Just last week we put headers on an LS1 and TPI car within a couple days of each other, LS1 was BY FAR easier...

Not sure what the steering issue could be though... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

 

Im not sure either.. How the hell do you trouble shoot the power steering system? I have no idea what would have even been near it. The closest thing would be putting the header in near the steering linkage but I cant see how that would cause my problem.

It feels like something is binding I guess but you can take a turn and its ok, 5 seconds do the same thing and it gets hard like the PS quit working for a split second.

I dunno.... Wheres the nearest Ford Dealer <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Have you checked the fluid again since you filled it? Maybe you have a leak? Since you don’t know how long the car was driven with the fluid being low, perhaps it was left low long enough to damage the pump as cause intermittent binding. Probably time for a new pump. The header install was probably just a coincidence, that is if you’re sure the header isn’t binding anywhere, and you didn’t kink any lines or whatnot...

 

When I installed my headers, I had a problem with one of the tubes rubbing the universal joint in the lower steering column. So we shaved it down a little and steering went back to normal.

Good luck,
Beth

 

Yeah I checked it this morning, the level is fine, no visable leaks.

What makes you say the pump and not the rack?

It never gave any signs whatsoever that something was wrong till I backed it out of the garage.

I dunno.. Ill have to check it out.

 

I’m guessing pump because that should be the first thing to overheat if you were low on fluid, but not totally empty. If it was the rack I would not think it to be intermittent like that. The pump is probably having issues that are masked somewhat at speed, thus the low speed turning is even worse. The noises you describe sound like a bad pump, IMO.

All of this is of course assuming that you are 100% sure there is no binding. The fact you mentioned it’s worse on left turns is interesting. The only binding issues I’ve seen when turning are left hand turns after certain headers (not usually Macs though).

Are the other accessories working good? Alternator charging good? Maybe the belt needs to be replaced?

If there is no binding, and no kinked/damaged lines hindering fluid flow, and the belt is good, then I’m guessing bad pump.

 

Ill go look again at lunch but the header didnt look anywhere near the steering linkage. I had a friend watch it while I turned the wheel from lock to lock.

It was low, not empty just a little before it reads on the stick. I just find it funny that I had no indication earlier that day or ever before.

 

MAC Headers rasp something nasty. Worse sounding headers for an LS1, but good bang for the buck. I put 12" dynomax race bullets in my ORP and it got rid of 80% of the rasp and made the car much more livable.

Too bad you messed up the stock exhaust. A McCord power cut-out would be perfect for your situation. open it up only when you want power & can live with the noise; otherwise cruise with a quiet stock exhaust.

 

Check the lines too and make sure that nothing got kinked or damaged. That could be hindering fluid flow and thus not allowing the pump to pump properly.

Good luck <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

Ok it was 1am last night when we finished and I guess to dark to see but when the car is off it looks fine, but I can see part of the steering where when the car is running its rubbing.

WTF who elses Mac headers rub? Ill have to get a screw driver and ding the header.

Glad thats all it is.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Ragtop 99:
<strong>

Too bad you messed up the stock exhaust. A McCord power cut-out would be perfect for your situation. open it up only when you want power & can live with the noise; otherwise cruise with a quiet stock exhaust.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have a bone stock WS6 exhaust thats going in Monday and will quiet it down. The only reason I drilled holes in the stock one was I was planing on putting the exhaust on the next day so I didnt care. I was at the track, trying to get that last 1/2 mph <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

Maybe you have a rabbit foot stuck in your power steering <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

My car did that when I was having Pulley problems.

BTW: you said you put the headers on and didnt like the extra loudness... Honestly, what did you expect?

 

I expected more power, I knew it would be a little more raspy like other cars I have had headers on but its way more throaty.

I was hoping having somewhat stock exhaust would keep it quiet Im sure Ill be happy when the WS6 exhaust goes on.

P.S. That rasp does suck at like 2300-2400.

 

Here is my recommendation.
Mac headers
mccord or Qtec power cutout
SLP dual dual "wayyyy less restrictive AND yet still quieter than the WS6 exhaust", this exhaust flow just as good or better than the aftermarket catbacks.. If your interested, I have an extra one, just email me.
I believe that will make you relatively quiet, if not, squeeze a bullet muffler in there.
I have the same setup to hide my cam and it works great. It hides my T1 cam nicely.
Take care.

 

I have a cutout that Im going to install when I do the exhaust, I'll race the car Cap'd and uncapped and see how big of a difference it really is.

Thanks! <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />

 

You should seriously look into the SLP dual dual for flow/quietness.

 

Im not really to thrilled about spending $600 bucks for 5hp or so. Im going to the dyno tomorrow, I wish I had the exhaust on so I can see what the diff between open and closed is.

Next time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by TTA89:
<strong>Im going to the dyno tomorrow

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Where ya dyno'ing at <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

 

TTA,

You can probably pick up a used dual/dual for $200 or so which is a way less than $600. I bought my dual/dual new for $600 back in 1999 before I realized I could have got a used one for way less. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> I'm very happy with the dual/dual as it's nice and quiet until you get on it hard, also one of the best flowing catbacks. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />