Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: school78 on September 10, 2010, 06:00:33 PM

Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: school78 on September 10, 2010, 06:00:33 PM
Has anyone ever tried to put long tube headers on a 87 Thunderbird v6? I found a pair of Pacesetter headers from a 94-97 Mustang. I am not sure if they will even work. I thought I'd ask the pro's here before spending money on a potential headache. I'd like to hook them up to a boom tube from a nascar race car. Where the exhaust exits in front of the rear tire and the "pipe" is 20-23 inches wide by 1". Thanks,
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: bhazard on September 10, 2010, 07:15:13 PM
I highly do NOT recommend making your 120hp CFI V6 loud and obnoxious.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: jrad235 on September 10, 2010, 08:14:46 PM
Quote from: bhazard;335209
I highly do NOT recommend making your 120hp CFI V6 loud and obnoxious.


x2 on that. Those headers will not fit your car anyway without serious modification. Definitely not worth the headache until you have other extensive mods under your belt.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: HAVI on September 10, 2010, 08:34:47 PM
AFAIK, later 90's Mustang 3.8L V6 headers will fit, but I don't think they're long tubes.  That said, here's what I'd do:  Leave the 3.8L alone, and accept it for what it is, a decent engine for MPG, all the while, gathering parts for a 5.0L swap in the future.  Then it's long tube heaven!
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: Ductape91 on September 11, 2010, 12:31:01 AM
Quote from: school78;335207
Has anyone ever tried to put long tube headers on a 87 Thunderbird v6? I found a pair of Pacesetter headers from a 94-97 Mustang. I am not sure if they will even work. I thought I'd ask the pro's here before spending money on a potential headache. I'd like to hook them up to a boom tube from a nascar race car. Where the exhaust exits in front of the rear tire and the "pipe" is 20-23 inches wide by 1". Thanks,


your car has the shifter for the trans up by the wheel, right? then no, without moving that to a console it wouldnt fit.
ive heard people say they will fit "physically" to the heads but not from someone that has done it.
fyi, if you want a prelude to the sound your expecting from this take off the egr valve and give it a run.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: kendoo130 on September 11, 2010, 08:19:32 AM
Quote from: HAVI;335216
AFAIK, later 90's Mustang 3.8L V6 headers will fit, but I don't think they're long tubes.  That said, here's what I'd do:  Leave the 3.8L alone, and accept it for what it is, a decent engine for MPG, all the while, gathering parts for a 5.0L swap in the future.  Then it's long tube heaven!


What he said..
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: 88CougarGT on September 13, 2010, 12:04:22 PM
I say go with stacks.  Right through the hood with those little rain keepers on top.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: sarjxxx on September 13, 2010, 04:41:56 PM
Quote from: 88cougargt;335441
i say go with stacks.  Right through the hood with those little rain keepers on top.

ftw!!!!!!!


Yeah, headers will not fit. Period. LT or ST. The problem, as stated before, is the shifter shaft. If you switch to a floor shifter then you can do it. AFAIK, that is your only problem.  I plan on putting pacesetter LT's, and a matching x-pipe on mine, about a $300 deal.

Guys on here will tell you all day long not to build a 3.8.

They're right.

But, if its what you want, its what you want. I'm building my 3.8 up. I'll tell you, its no 10 sec car, but it is a lot quicker than you think.;)
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: 88CougarGT on September 13, 2010, 04:55:33 PM
I was a 3.8 fanatic...of the supercharged variety.  My SC belted out gobs of torque on a huge car.  I would love to dump a 3.8 SC engine into a foxbody Tbird.  That would haul butt in every sense of the word. 

A turbo 3.8 to rival the buick guys would be great too.  Remember, your 232 ci engine is 1 cube bigger than the Buick block.  Never let them forget it.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: sarjxxx on September 14, 2010, 09:02:45 PM
Quote from: 88CougarGT;335474
I was a 3.8 fanatic...of the supercharged variety.  My SC belted out gobs of torque on a huge car.  I would love to dump a 3.8 SC engine into a foxbody Tbird.  That would haul butt in every sense of the word. 

A turbo 3.8 to rival the buick guys would be great too.  Remember, your 232 ci engine is 1 cube bigger than the Buick block.  Never let them forget it.

One day,







I WILL OWN A SUPER COUPE
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: bhazard on September 14, 2010, 09:46:08 PM
Ive always wondered why I never see turbo'd 3.8SC's.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: sarjxxx on September 15, 2010, 07:11:46 PM
You gonna make me a custom manifold and pipe set for it? Then I'll do it:D
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: 88CougarGT on September 16, 2010, 11:24:17 AM
Quote from: bhazard;335615
Ive always wondered why I never see turbo'd 3.8SC's.


I've seen a few.  Most people just opt maintain the supercharger as they are pretty easy to come by.  Definitely easier than finding a turbo and plumbing it up.
Title: Long tube headers on a 1987 V6?
Post by: 1BDBIRD on September 16, 2010, 02:22:51 PM
Ive seen turbo through blowers in hot rod recently???  So what the heck,mount a t-4 on your mn12 and blow some extra boost through thaat eaton!!!!!!!  Ya Id say NO!!!