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Topic: BBK h-pipe hangs too low (Read 4976 times) previous topic - next topic

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Ok, so I may have brought this up before but I can't find it in any search results...

I put a bbk catted H made for an 89 mustang on my 88 'bird when I did the 5.0 swap.  Problem is it hangs WAY to low.  Way lower than I've ever seen h-pipes on a mustang.  It wasn't a problem for a while (just a visual problem) but now that I've moved, I have several speed bumps I have to go over everyday, to and from work.  The cats drag on each one and I'm afraid that before long I will have massive holes!  ANyone else have these issues with a mustang spec h-pipe?  Do some tuck up better than others or do I need to go custom?  oh, and yes, it is in the proper place, I did not skip the tran x-mem hangers...
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #1 –
I would just get some wood and jack it up a couple of inches with your floor jack. If that doesn't work than take off the pipe and and bend the hangers in alittle with a pipe (slip pipe over hanger and bend it in). I think your problem is that you should have bent the hangers and fitted it some before installing it.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #2 –
That makes sense.  I guess I forget that the h-pipe can rotate on the ball and socket joints.  I'll loosen them up and then use the jack.  Thanks
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #3 –
?? I'm not sure we're on the same page. The hangers that slide in the tranny exhaust mounts need to be bent toward the pipe to make it fit tighter. By jacking up the pipe with it installed you will be bending the hangers inward
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #4 –
Actually, by jacking under the h-pipe, the weight of the car should push down on the hangers and bend them down/back and the h-pipe should tuck closer to the x-member.  And I said I'd loosen the ball/socket connection so the h-pipe can pivot upward without putting to much pressure on the header bolts.  I think this makes sense, right?  Even jut as a temp solution...?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #5 –
I think you putting too much thought into it. The hangers need to be adjusted alittle, by jacking up the whole section you will accomplish that. Or take it apart and bend them by hand and reinstall. I always jacked up my hpipes to tweak them and get them to fit right.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #6 –
LOL, or maybe you're reading into my reply to much :D  I just plan on putting the jack under the h-pipe and jacking up.  That's what you mean, right?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #7 –
My X-Pipe from Pype's didn't even have hangers.I have never needed them and the exhaust is tight and high.Cut the hangers off.
'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..

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #8 –
So you just rely on the h-pipe to header bolts and the ler hangers to keep you system up?
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats
 

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #9 –
They are stronger than you think.The ler hangers are very strong,the tailpipes have hangers in the back,the X-Pipe is only like 4 feet long and weighs next to nothing.I've had the X-pipe like that for nearly two years without ever having any problems at all.No rattling,no no sagging,no nothing.It's very solid.When the Bird had the catted exhaust,it didn't have hangers holding that heavy  up near the floor.
'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..

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #10 –
New motor mounts will push the engine upward and give you the clearance you probably need. Do you have the ChuckW mounts, or did you use stock rubber pieces?

Also, some people have to dimple the pipe on the driver's side to clear the shifter cable bracket (or some people chop the bracket LOL). Is that an issue with your car too?

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #11 –
I'm using stock replacement Sport mounts.  I'd like Chuck W mounts but I'm not sure how long I'll have this motor setup so I'm going to stick with what I have.  As far as clearance, my car is a manual so, I guess to answer your question; not an issue!  :D
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
'89 5.0 w/ ported intakes, Mallory Adjustable FPR, BBK shorties and H with 2.5" Flows, 130 amp 3G, 89 Mustang comp/wiring, Aluminum radiator w/ elec fan, T5 trans, King Cobra clutch, 3.55 gears, 13" Cobra brakes (front), Wilwood prop valve, Mustang A-arms, Front Coil-overs, MM CC plates, Silver 17x9 R's, 03 Cobra IRS, Aluminum DS, 2002 Mustang dash/console etc..., custom leather seats

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #12 –
OK, I'm just trying to help eliminate some typical things, that's all. If the motor mounts you're using have new rubber then that's about all the height you're going to get.

It might be possible to flip over the H-pipe hanger...that could help.

Otherwise, I've not see a problem that great before with an aftermarket H-pipe, although every one seems to be different. It's possible that that particular H-pipe is just bent a little "wrong" for your car. Maybe taking it to an exhaust shop might net you some info. They may be able to dimple up the pipe to get the correct angles. I had to do that once.

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #13 –
You're not alone, my bbk h-pipe w/ cats also hangs down low. But since my car hasn't been lowered yet it hasn't presented any problems. Eventually I'll be going off road since my heads nor my intake are emissions legal so I'm not to worried about it.
1987 Tbird 5.0 swap, go fast mods coming soon....

BBK h-pipe hangs too low

Reply #14 –
my bbk h pipe hangs low as hell
and it was in a cougar(kitz's car)
Maybe he can give u some info as to if it hung low in his car or not. I had a HELL of a time getting it in
RIP 1988 and 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC
I welcomed the dark side and currently am driving a 2000 Dodge Durango SLT plus, with a 5.9, Code named project "Night Runner"
Shes black on black, fully loaded, with headers, 180 tstat, e fan, straight exhaust into a cherry bomb vortex ler, full tune up, ported intake and T/B, MSD coil, and round aircleaner.
Mods to come: Fully rebuilt and heavily modded 46RE, and a richmond rachet locker.
my $300 beater ;)
R.I.P Kayleigh Raposa 12/18/90 - 2/24/07