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Topic: True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0 (Read 4064 times) previous topic - next topic

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Hi everyone this is my first post and it seems like there is a lot of good information here.  If anyone can help me I'm trying to decide on which h-pipe to buy for my 1988 Cougar XR-7 to convert the factory dual exhaust with y-pipe to a mustang exhaust. I'm aware of all the issues as I've read the article on the coolcats.net website.  I'm considering buying either the Catco 4166 for mustang or Catco 4179 for Mark VII/Continental/Thunderbird.  I was going to get the mustang h-pipe but when I found the 4179 that says it fits the thunderbird I thought that it might be a better fit for the cougar.  Actually i wasn't aware (and I still don't know for sure) that the thunderbird had a factory h-pipe.  Also, are the Thunderbird manifolds shorty headers or the same on my Cougar? I know I have to change manifolds.  Does anyone have any suggestions on which one to go with?  If I can get it to fit the stock cougar manifolds that would be the best for me.  Maybe I can get it to fit the manifolds 'good enough to drive' and then have a mechanic install the headers for me so I don't break any bolts/studs. Thanks, Mike

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #1 –
Welcome!

There should be no difference between T-bird and Cougar.  And you're right, there is no stock true-dual exhaust on any T-bird or Cougar.  I think some of the '88 model year cars had 'fake' duals.  That is, manifolds, 2-1-2 y-pipe, and 2 lers and tailpipes.  Also, if you want a cheap quick solution, as H-pipes will not bolt up to factory manifolds, you can find a set of stock Mustang headers on ebay.

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #2 –
An aftermarket or factory H/X-pipe will not fit factory exhaust manifolds without work.I have BBK un-equal length shorty headers,and a Pypes off road X-Pipe on my '88 T-Bird (same as a Cougar).The Cougar and T-Bird are the same car underneath the sheetmetal.I used the T-Bird tail pipes,and had the pipes between the X-pipe and muflers lengthened a few inches.The T-Bird/Cougar is about 6 or so inches longer than a Mustang in the middlle.You can find headers all day on E-Bay for a reasonable price.Good luck.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #3 –
Hey,we posted at the same time .
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #4 –
Yeah, I have the 88 model with the fake duals and I was ready to do the mustang system but when I was looking at h-pipes I found one that was listed as a direct fit for the Mark VII and it also listed 87-88 thunderbird as a direct replacement.  I thought it might be a mistake.  The catco aftermarket h-pipe for the mustang is a different part number than the one that says it fits the 88 thunderbird and Mark VII.  I guess its a mistake that they listed it for the thunderbird. They didn't list it for the cougar. I'm talking about places online including Summit Racing.  The catco pipes seem like a good deal cause there stainless steel and I need converters on it and its reasonably priced. I guess I'll go with the catco 4166 listed for the mustang.

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #5 –
According to this website, the 4179 is in fact what you want....if the picture is correct:  http://www.fulllineexhaust.com/Catalogs/data/4179.html

You could also go here:  http://www.walkerexhaust.com/catalog/vehicletypescrn.asp

Put in the info for a 92 Mark VII and it'll show a true dual H-pipe.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #6 –
Welcome aboard!
I have stock Lincoln MarkVII manifolds on my '88 (same as Mustang) with a Flowtech off-road H-pipe. From there back, I have the original dual factory setup with Flowmaster lers.

I highly advise getting cats though.

So cool, another '88 XR-7 to add to the group. Post up pics if you have 'em. We like pics :D

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #7 –
My X-Pipe was made for a 5 speed Mustang.Fits like a glove.I don't have cats,yet then,we don't have smog testing and safety inspections here in Oklahoma,they just raised the price of our driver's liscences.The X-Pipe is a 2 piece unit that made installation very quick and simple.The BBK shorties also fit great,perform great,and look awesome when you open the hood.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Paul Flockhart;107429
According to this website, the 4179 is in fact what you want....if the picture is correct:  http://www.fulllineexhaust.com/Catalogs/data/4179.html


Thanks for the link, but look at this one.
http://www.fulllineexhaust.com/Catalogs/data/4166.html

I'll probably buy the 4166 since people have said the mustang h-pipe can fit really well.

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #9 –
Ive been having the same issue because I don't know how much more length I need from the h pipe to reach the lers, if I decide to go with long tubes and a "mid pipe", does the length to reach the lers change ? For tails I would go with the Stinger Exhaust 2.5" since they say they are made for the thunderbirds. They come in both stainless steel or aluminized: http://www.stinger-performance.com/Pics/TCTails1.jpg

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #10 –
The length to the end of the H-Pipe, whether long tubes or shorties are used, should be the same. But with our cars being longer in the middle and longer at the rear than a Stang, pipes need to be lengthened accordingly. Install the headers and H-Pipe, grab your lers and some tail pipes, and have a ler shop do the rest. make sure you make the mid pipes a bolt on style to the H-Pipe the way the factory would have done it for easy removal as a "just in case".
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..
 

True Dual Exhaust Conversion 5.0

Reply #11 –
Did you notice a change in sound and/or power after putting headers on ? I do get a nice sound now and some extra power with the stock manifolds / no cat / flowmasters, but it's not exactly what I was looking for.