Headers & Sidepipes

LuvDaBlues · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006, 07:26 AM

After some correspondence with some of you guys, I've decided to pull the exhaust system and have it re-coated by "Jet-Hot". I have some deep scratches, peeling and dings showing a wee bit of rust on the side pipes. (Nothing significant) So a couple of questions:

1) Should I send off the headers also? I know it will look a lot better when raising the hood.
2) I have a 460, how hard is it to pull the headers? The only problem I see is the tight working space. Are there any tricks to the trade for removal?

Steve S.

RodgerH · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 06:00 AM

I've watched for responses to Steve's questions because I have a similiar question.

In my case, when installing a 427FE in a Superformance, is there clearance to install (or remove) the headers with the engine installed?

Anyone know?

Rodger

LuvDaBlues · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 09:14 AM

Rodger,

After no response here on CC, I called a SPF dealer for their advice. They said there is not enough room for removal. So I'm going to leave the headers on, pull the sidepipes, and take them to a local applicator in Dallas. That way I'll save on the shipping, too.

BTW, I'll swap my 460 for your 427. I was with a couple of other Cobra owners on the highway traveling 60 mph, when an ERA w/ a 427 SO pulled away from me. I couldn't keep up with her. Next car, I know what engine I'm looking for.

Steve S

Tim Brewer · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 10:35 AM

Steve, of course I have a different car than you, but have very little room to work with as well. Working from under my car, I can remove both headers by turning them all sorts of directions until they finely will come out. Also, about your 460, a 460 will out perform a 427 any day of the week with the same basic modifications done to each. You only need a few mods.

Tim Brewer · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Oh yea, Superformance sidepipes have been known to wipe off 100 horsepower at times. That should be your first upgrade.

ROMM · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 07:45 PM

Hey Steve, Tim is right. You have a good opportunity to make on of the best mods on your car to keep up with that 427. You should send your pipes to Rob Camp at Keith Craft. He will change out the exhaust to a much better free flowing one (for a serious gain in horsepower) and even re-coat your pipes like you are wanting to do, all at the same time. Here is one of his posts from a recent exhaust thread:

"I have built several side pipes for SPF and Lone Star cobra's using the Howe Muffler and merge collectors and have consistantly picked up 12% increase in rwh over stock SPF pipes. I have done it on cars with 350 RWH to 508 RWH and we also turn the tips down 15 degrees to make the noise go downward and make the noise more tolerable. We have a special of $995.00 plus shipping to take your stock side pipes and install the merge collector, muffler and tips and re-coat the pipes. I can be contacted at 972-578-3550
thanks"
Rob Camp
Keith Craft Motorsports
Managing Partner

From what I have read, you will probably have to re-jet your carb after the exhaust modification is done. Here is the thread where the above info comes from: http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74401

Hope this helps.

jwoodard · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 08:14 PM

RogerH,

Just in case you're not clear on the reponses so far, in a SPF, there is not room to remove or install the headers with an FE or 460 engine installed. If you're doing your initial install, place the headers in the fender wells before dropping the engine in.

Steve,

Tim is correct. The SPF stock side pipes are rather restrictive, as are the Lone Star's.

I've owned both makes and modified the side pipes on both.

JCoop · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoodard

RogerH,

Just in case you're not clear on the reponses so far, in a SPF, there is not room to remove or install the headers with an FE or 460 engine installed. If you're doing your initial install, place the headers in the fender wells before dropping the engine in.

Steve,

Tim is correct. The SPF stock side pipes are rather restrictive, as are the Lone Star's.

I've owned both makes and modified the side pipes on both.

Jim, what sort of modifications did you do, in case you'd like to share...

Thanks

RodgerH · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoodard

RogerH,

Just in case you're not clear on the reponses so far, in a SPF, there is not room to remove or install the headers with an FE or 460 engine installed. If you're doing your initial install, place the headers in the fender wells before dropping the engine in.

Steve,

Tim is correct. The SPF stock side pipes are rather restrictive, as are the Lone Star's.

I've owned both makes and modified the side pipes on both.

Thanks Jim.

That was what I initially thought, but I was hoping to learn otherwise. But, no joy. It will be an initial install. I agree with you on the restrictiveness of the stock SPF sidepipes. Definitely planning to do something different with them.

Rodger

Buzzmobile · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 08:13 PM

you can get the headers out if you sacrifice the lower part of the hole in the body. I did not do it by choice...old install and it had broken out as the motor settled down and the pipes broke through. I went ahead and finished of the job more cleanly. my car is gonna get a repaint soon anyway and I will have the body shop finish it out. But with that lower transverse piece of the hole gone, you can get the headers in and out.

Buzz

jwoodard · #11 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 08:26 PM

JCoop,

I made new side pipes with 2" primary tubes into a Hooker Headers 4 into 1 merge collector connected to a Howe racing muffler. The merge collector has a 3 1/2" outlet and the Howe muffler is 4" outside diameter with a 3 1/2" inlet and outlet. The Howe muffler is 3 1/2" straight through.
I picked up 59 RWHP and 50 RWTQ with these new pipes.
Here's a photo of the finished pipes.

JCoop · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 05:40 AM

Thanks Jim. Very nice. How were the decibels?

Buzzmobile · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 06:47 AM

Jim, who did the work for you?

Buzz

951mat · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 11:31 AM

I love the way yours looks, you can barely tell its a merged collector, I assume its a slip on that you welded up nicely. I'm interested in doing something similar on my Lonestar. I have a 427 w/ 400 RWHP. Do you think merged collectors would be very beneficial on a motor w/ much less power. I'd think I'd gain the most from 2" primaries and a better muffler vs the 1-3/4" and stock lonestar mufflers I have now.

Mat

Tom of VA · #15 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 12:34 PM

On my SPF with 428, I have to pull the motor to remove the headers. Mark them very carefully. If you get them mixed up you won't be happy. They may be slightly different and you will be removing the engine again.

PS: gaskets or no gaskets? I'm putting mine back together and was going to use gaskets. Anyone?

The Dreamer · #16 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 05:07 PM

Tom,

I use the SCE copper gaskets.

cobra crazee · #17 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 06:19 PM

has anyone dynoed the spiral turbo mufflers? got some on my spf now, but haven't had the chance to dyno them.

ttmb · #18 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 07:35 PM

Steve, I don't have a BB (easy, now!), but I was just talking with a friend today after our new year's day cruise (he has a 428 in a SPF), and he was telling me about his blown head gasket. He said it wasn't that hard to take off the headers with the engine in the car, FWIW. I can call him and get details if you like, but he acted like it was no big deal.

Tom of VA · #19 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 09:11 PM

If you pull the heads, I think you can. I would like to know if he had heads off or on.
Thanks

ttmb · #20 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 09:39 AM

Yes, he replaced or repaired the heads, and said he didn't have to pull the engine to do it.