Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 87cougar on November 12, 2010, 03:37:20 PM

Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: 87cougar on November 12, 2010, 03:37:20 PM
I got a 87 cougar 3.8L v6 low miles,  I want to get some Long tube headers for it but can't find any on the web.  I found headers that are for the 3.8 mustang but not sure if they will fit on my cougar.  if someone could steer me in the right direction that would be great!
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on November 12, 2010, 03:45:45 PM
Nobody makes headers specifically for any fox 3.8 car. The ones that you found for the mustang, probably pacesetter LT's? are the only ones that I know of. However as far as I know, LT's for 5.0's from the 94/95 mustangs will swap over onto a fox, so I'm hoping these will too. The fox and sn-95 chassis are very similar so we might get lucky.

 I plan on getting a set for my car to see if they fit. If you hold out for about a month or two I will be getting a set and let you know if they fit. 

I can tell you that if you have a column shifter for your transmission, they will not fit. In fact, shorties won't fit either.

I have a set of tubular manifolds (factory shorty headers with a 1 5/8" collector) if you want them. Let me know.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: vinnietbird on November 12, 2010, 05:37:57 PM
We have a few members here with shorty headers and column shift.It just takes minimal effort to make them compatible.I saw some 3.8 headers for a Stang (aftermarket). I'll see if I can find them.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: jandmmustangs on November 12, 2010, 06:22:01 PM
Im sure the topic has been beat to death but the factory "headers" on a sn-95 stang actually flow very well.  Well enough to the point that most guys dont bother stepping up to an aftermarket header unless they're making serious HP out of their 3.8
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: vinnietbird on November 12, 2010, 06:34:59 PM
Same with factory H.O headers for the 5.0. They actually flow pretty good for mildly modified engines.Most of us upgrade them anyway. I did because I got an awesome set of BBK's for chump change.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on November 12, 2010, 08:54:55 PM
yes, the facory headers on v6 stangs and 96/97 v6 birds and cougars flow very well. Like you said, there is no real need to upgrade from them unless your running serious hp out of them.

I just getting rid of them cause the DS one is modified and I want a set of LT's anyway.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: Scott D on November 13, 2010, 10:00:38 AM
It shouldn't be too hard to make some MN-12 headers fit ... http://www.supercoupeperformance.com/partBrowser.aspx?category=22
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: Haystack on November 14, 2010, 02:53:13 PM
yeah, for that price, you could get them custom made. I wouldn't modify a set of $750 headers.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: 87cougar on November 23, 2010, 11:15:30 PM
Thanks for the guidance guys!  Yeah I dont want the mustang headers thanks anyway.  Let me know sarjxx if those pc lt fit or what you have to do to make them fit.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: 87cougar on November 29, 2010, 11:28:53 AM
Hey just found on cool cats, a site that sells mac long tube headers for the 3.8 mustang.  Anyone think that they would fit any different from the Pacesetter long tubes?
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: Ductape91 on November 29, 2010, 05:22:25 PM
refresh my memory here, werent there different exhaust ports for certain years on the cfi 3.8?
would that cause problems for the ones trying to grab 94+ mustang headers for thier cars...
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on November 29, 2010, 09:37:19 PM
Hmmmm.....

pacesetter:
(http://i19.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/01/54/eb2e_12.JPG)
mac:
(http://www.macperformance.com/store/images/TF3899.jpg)

well the mac's certainly look waaaaayyyyyyy better


its a tough choice. they both look like they have their advantages as far as fitment, but I think the mac's do take the cake.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on December 01, 2010, 09:58:45 PM
Quote from: Ductape91;343711
refresh my memory here, werent there different exhaust ports for certain years on the cfi 3.8?
would that cause problems for the ones trying to grab 94+ mustang headers for thier cars...

just checked on that, does not look like its going to be a problem. Far as I can tell the only difference is that the exhaust ports were slightly bigger after 96 but that won't be a problem.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: HAVI on December 01, 2010, 10:30:16 PM
Late to the party, but I was gonna suggest Macs.  However, I'm not positive if they even still sell them?
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on December 01, 2010, 10:42:56 PM
I just pulled that pic a couple of days ago from their website.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 02, 2010, 01:41:08 PM
MACs tend to warp because they don't have a  that ties the tubes together.
Title: 3.8 headers
Post by: sarjxxx on December 03, 2010, 09:21:01 PM
well neither do the other ones except at the ports, in which case the heads/bolts hold them in place....