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I have the MM swap K member with my own mounts(I used a combination of 4.6 plates with Jeep urethane mounts) and I bought a set of those headers, unbelievable quality, any way they would not fit without raising the engine off the mounts, and I'm not even sure that would work, so I'm guessing they probably wont work with your MM K. I'm waiting patiently for Holley to release their 79-93 FOX swap headers so I can try them. I've got so much money tied up in headers for this damn car its not even funny....
Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I have the UPR 1/4" adapter/spacers and 4.6 urethane mounts. Since you would have to raise the motor off the mounts, I assume that the headers were hitting the K? How much would you have to lift it to clear? Originally I was going to use the stock Corvette LS2 manifolds, but I can't attach the motor mounts and clear them. I guess I'll either have to rework the mounts for the stock manifolds, or buy the SE headers and move tubes as needed. Nice to know that the headers are good quality.
Actually I never tried to see if they'd fit if I raised the engine off the mounts it just looks like they will, when I said they didn't work I meant they wont fit between the bell housing and the frame rail, I even tried removing the starter, but no luck.
I have the MM swap K member with my own mounts(I used a combination of 4.6 plates with Jeep urethane mounts) and I bought a set of those headers, unbelievable quality, any way they would not fit without raising the engine off the mounts, and I'm not even sure that would work, so I'm guessing they probably wont work with your MM K. I'm waiting patiently for Holley to release their 79-93 FOX swap headers so I can try them. I've got so much money tied up in headers for this damn car its not even funny....
It would be great if the Hooker Fox body headers worked for you, but my experience says they won't due to your specific K-member. The bend geometry of the headers was developed for use on the stock, MM 5.0L, AJE or Team Z K-members only. The engine mount stands on the MM swap K-member are in the stock 4.6L mod motor position, which is a few inches further back than the other K-members and in the routing path of the tubes. You may actually have better luck with the Hooker SN95 headers. I'd be happy to share a couple a photos back and forth with you to see if something csn be figured out that will work for your set-up. Feel free to PM me if you are interested.
It's hard to tell if they're referring to the flaming river manual or power steering rack shaft, but this explains any fitment questions. Speed engineering Ls swap headers
I took a chance and bought a set of the Speed engineering headers to see if by chance they would work with a Maximum Motorsport 5.0 (MMK-1) K member. First of all, they would not clear the UPR motor mount adapter plates and 4.6 mounts on one side, so I bought a set of Metaltek Mfg '00-'04 motor mounts off ebay, thinking that I could always make spacer blocks to adapt them to the MM K member. The headers fit the new mounts just fine, but a test fit in the car showed there was no way they would fit the MM-K without moving tubes.
I bought a set of the Hooker Blackheart '79-'93 swap headers and they fit great with the Metaltek mounts, and even allowed me to use the 1" setback on the K member. I mocked everything up using stacks of large seatbelt washers for spacers and it all looks good. I'm just waiting for my machinist to knock out a set of spacer blocks for the final install. If anyone needs a set of Speed Engineering headers for a good price, let me know.
Hey rtagg, I'd like to see some photos of the end result of your use of the Hooker Blackheart headers with your specific engine mount set-up when your install is complete. Feel free to post any photos related to that in the Hooker Fox Body LS swap thread if you can.
Sure thing, will do. I would have liked to use your motor mounts, but I couldn't wait any longer for the release.
I completely understand. I'll be curious to see what you come up with and how it differs from the engine position/height provided by the Hooker engine mounting brackets. What oil pan are you using?
I'm using the Holley 302-3 pan with the 302-11 trapdoor baffle kit modified to fit. My engine height may be a touch higher, but I know my stock hood closes and I have approx. .355" clearance between the bottom of the pan and the steering rack even using the MM offset solid rack bushings. If you would like measurements from any specific points, let me know.
Do you know the amount of clearance you have with your mounts between the back of the cylinder head on the passenger side and the firewall?
To be sure we're on the same page, are you using the MMK-1 K-member still? Are you using a manual or power steering rack? I don't recall the discrete measurement of clearance between the firewall and the passenger side cylinder head, but you can post a photo of yours in the Hooker swap thread for others to compare to the similar image I already have posted of the engine in the development car. It will be good info for the knowledge base being built there.
Yes, I'm still using the MMK-1. The steering is an OEM Ford power rack that came in my '86 SVO. I won't have my spacer blocks for the motor mounts until later next week, but as soon as I have them installed, I'll take some pics and post them in your thread.
Might be a dumb question but I'm a Turbo guy just going to Conventional headers for the first time do you have to remove the steering shaft to put the headers on
Yes, i pulled the rack forward a few inches then installed the shaft thru the headers. I also had to replace the large rag joint with an ebay steering ujoint. I have a 4L80e and had to cut off the ears. The passenger side installs from the bottom of the car in minutes. Overall the headers fit excellent.
09-28-2017, 04:17 PM
speed engineering headers/mm k member 
