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Well, I put my first set of long tube headers on a 500 today.They were a set of 1 3/4" American Racing Headers & matching catted x pipe.First,this is not an install thread,just my opinions on these headers & the installation.Second anything said here is just my opinion & not bashing anything/anyone in particular but it's just my thoughts.Ok,here goes:
CONS:1)the headers are not ceramic coated as they look in every picture I've seen of them so buyer beware,they don't claim them to be as such but going by every advertisement picture I've seen they are shown coated* EXCEPT on their website which does not show them coated.2)They **DO NOT** come with instructions which, for the amount people are paying for them is ,I think,absolutely ridiculous.Now let me state for the record I have installed dozens of long tube headers including nearly 2 dozen 4.6's on every body style of mustang,SN-95,New Edge,Cobra's & S197's so this is definitely not my first rodeo & I pretty much knew what I was getting into but for someone trying this for the first time you're just outta luck.They were not left out by mistake,they DO NOT come with them.3) The lower bolts on the driver's side header are a witch if you leave the K member in (which I did just to see how hard they were with it in place).Let me say something right here & I want to make it clear -this is *NOT A BASH* on American Racing just what I have observed on MANY different header designs /manufacturers. I honestly believe they ALL could do a MUCH better job at making the bolts more accessible,but given the cost of mockup labor,tubing costs for bends that aren't going to make the final setup,etc. I can somewhat understand why they do it but I have also seen times when they could actually SAVE space,tubing & most of all frustration for the installer.
Pro's: The headers are made very well,welds all were complete (you wouldn't believe how many header tubes & h/x pipes I've had to weld up before I could even install them!!!) & also CLEAN with virtually no slag in them,very nice!
Fitment was also great,not close to anything,nothing rubbing.After the other stuff is out of the way (starter,steering shaft,etc.) both headers slid right into place with little fuss which is a testament to the r&d that American Racing put into these (just wish they would give us some bolt room). The header collectors are not angled up or down which is very common on long tubes which make lowered cars suseptable to scrapping the h/x pipe(if they are angled down) or having the h/x pipe rubbing or hitting the floor pan,trans cross member etc if they are angled up.Good job on fitment ARH!
Finally,Installment,as said before,no instructions,hidden bolts,etc. I did this in my shop using a lift,air tools & only me as the installer.I pay careful attention to the time it takes to do all the jobs that come through my shop as to be fair to both my customers & myself & this job from start to finish took almost to the minutes 8 solid hours of work.So there you have it my thoughts on installing headers on a GT500.
CONS:1)the headers are not ceramic coated as they look in every picture I've seen of them so buyer beware,they don't claim them to be as such but going by every advertisement picture I've seen they are shown coated* EXCEPT on their website which does not show them coated.2)They **DO NOT** come with instructions which, for the amount people are paying for them is ,I think,absolutely ridiculous.Now let me state for the record I have installed dozens of long tube headers including nearly 2 dozen 4.6's on every body style of mustang,SN-95,New Edge,Cobra's & S197's so this is definitely not my first rodeo & I pretty much knew what I was getting into but for someone trying this for the first time you're just outta luck.They were not left out by mistake,they DO NOT come with them.3) The lower bolts on the driver's side header are a witch if you leave the K member in (which I did just to see how hard they were with it in place).Let me say something right here & I want to make it clear -this is *NOT A BASH* on American Racing just what I have observed on MANY different header designs /manufacturers. I honestly believe they ALL could do a MUCH better job at making the bolts more accessible,but given the cost of mockup labor,tubing costs for bends that aren't going to make the final setup,etc. I can somewhat understand why they do it but I have also seen times when they could actually SAVE space,tubing & most of all frustration for the installer.
Pro's: The headers are made very well,welds all were complete (you wouldn't believe how many header tubes & h/x pipes I've had to weld up before I could even install them!!!) & also CLEAN with virtually no slag in them,very nice!
Fitment was also great,not close to anything,nothing rubbing.After the other stuff is out of the way (starter,steering shaft,etc.) both headers slid right into place with little fuss which is a testament to the r&d that American Racing put into these (just wish they would give us some bolt room). The header collectors are not angled up or down which is very common on long tubes which make lowered cars suseptable to scrapping the h/x pipe(if they are angled down) or having the h/x pipe rubbing or hitting the floor pan,trans cross member etc if they are angled up.Good job on fitment ARH!
Finally,Installment,as said before,no instructions,hidden bolts,etc. I did this in my shop using a lift,air tools & only me as the installer.I pay careful attention to the time it takes to do all the jobs that come through my shop as to be fair to both my customers & myself & this job from start to finish took almost to the minutes 8 solid hours of work.So there you have it my thoughts on installing headers on a GT500.
