Need Exhaust help!!

[jheff25]

Hey all, I just got my Random Tec HFC , header and flexpipe. However, I didn't get any of the gaskets needed (except for header gasket. I went to AutoZone to get the gaskets I needed. Unfortunately, the collector gasket doesn't work. Right diameter, but the mounting holes don't reach. Also, I got exhaust flange gaskets. They are 2 and 1/2 inch rings. Will these work between cat and flex and exhaust? Please help! Thanks!

EDIT: I figured out what gasket to use inbetween header and cat. I now need to know what gasket to use inbetween cat | flex and flex | exhaust. I need gaskets to fit a 2.5 inch exhaust kit. Thanks!

[s_montgomery]

i found some at autozone that they had in the back that will fit the svt flex, cat and cat back. i would bring the flex with you to make sure you get one that will fit. on the package it said it fit a ford/mercury and had some older years listed on it...good luck
im assuming this is for the svt header and exhaust?

[jheff25]

Thanks for the reply. No, I got a shorty header, randomtec high flow cat and 2.5 flex pipe. I just got home from installing them at my folks house. The header was the hardest part of the whole thing tho. The upper bolt on passenger side was a PAIN! Unfortunately, I have to take the car and get someone to re-thread that hole. I managed to get it and it cross threaded. Header seems to be holding well tho. Can't tell if I am leakin exhaust or not. If the space there around the header was not so tight, I would have had everything installed in 1 day.

All in all, the car sounds a lot meaner and louder.

[Funktacular]

The one behind the power steering pump mount right? lol. 2 hours and a strange assortment of extensions and joints to get that one in for me, hahaha.

[jheff25]

Ya, the one behind PSP Bracket. It's cross threaded and will only go in half way. The other bolt is in, but the threads are gone, so it just turns w/o tightening.

I spoke with a mechanic today and he said he could do it for $350+. That would include uninstallling header and cat, drilling out and installing a coil for 1 bolt, and re-aligning the other bolt behind bracket. Could be more if he has to pull off bracket and drill out that hole too.

I never thought I would have this kind of issue install header. But that's what I get for lack of experience.

Header seems to be holding for now; however, the gasket for the collector seems to be leaking. My cat didn't come with any gaskets so I had to buy my own. I used a 2.5 inch metal flange gasket to fit between header and cat. Prolly moved when I put the cat to the header.

I'll keep ya'll posted.

[tjys]

I'm new to the site and looking for information on headers and exhaust. Since my Roush Mustang is in storage and I'm driving my wife's 03 ZX3 Focus in DC I've decided to do a little playing. I've ordered a SVT suspension, strut tower support, cold air intake, and slotted brakes and new shoes. I'm going to put an exhaust on it also but heard that there was a lot of problems with installing it. I've read that installing the long header wasn't recommended and was looking at the shorty header. What should I get, long or shorty, and what can I expect for installation? I've read the exhaust shoot-out thread.

[jheff25]

Depends on if you want your car emissions legal. Shorty would keep it legal, but the header bolted to stock exhaust would show little improvement. The longtube header would eliminate the cat and give you better gains; but, be extremely loud and not emissions friendly.

For a complete exhaust setup:
1.) Shorty route = Shorty Header, High-Flow Cat, Flex Pipe, and Cat-back exhaust
2.) Longtube = Longtube header, flex-pipe / off-road pipe, and cat-back exhaust

#2 is cheaper, more power potential, extremely loud and illegal in most states. #1 is more expensive, not as loud as #2, not as much power gain (maybe) and is legal.

I spent close to 1K on my shorty setup. Installation wasn't bad untill I hit the header. Be EXTREMELY careful when instyalling header bolts. Steel bolts > Aluminum head and will cross thread easily. I have to get head work done due to cross threading. I cross threaded a bolt by hand. No tools. End result is nice though.

Be sure to have all the tools you need to lower install times. If I had had everything I needed up front, my install time would have been a lot shorty.

My car seems to perform better thru entire power band and has a mean sound to it to. Wish I could get a sound clip up here. I'll have to figure something out when I get the car fixed.

Hope this info helps.