Home Page | Favorite Links | Photo Page | Guest Book Page | Photo2 Page | Custom Page | Photo3 Page
99-2000 MAC Mustang Shorty Header install

XR7/SC Mac 3.8 Mustang Shorty Header Install
These pics show my progress installing the 1999-2001 MAC Mustang Shorty Headers in my 1990 Mercury Cougar XR7/SC (Thunderbird Supercoupe also). These are preliminary pics showing that it is possible to use the Mustang Headers as a cost effective alternative to current 3.8SC header offerings generally upwards of . I purchased these from Mikael at rpm-mustangs.com for . Great customer service, and one of the few retailers willing to offer full refund if the install was not successful. He also allowed me to try a set of 3.8 Mac Mustang Long tube headers which were not a direct fit. Some serious welding and rerouting would have to occur to utilize the long tube headers. Short tubes look to be the easiest way to go and are a true bolt on with a little modification. Keep in mind the collector area is very close to the steering shaft on the driver's side as seen in the pics. It is possible that when the car is torqued that the header will hit the steering shaft if you do not modify the header. This could possibly be dangerous, but a good solid torque strap will help as well as creating a small valley on the collector area to make more room for steering shaft clearance. This page details some of the procedures. Try at your own risk!

Driver's side stock manifold vs. 99-2000 Mustang 3.8 Mac Shorty

stock passenger side vs MAC shorty
Mac collector vs. Stock
The stock collector has been ported a little.

Another view of collector area
Driver's side mounted to head, yes they do fit.........
But the steering shaft is basically resting on the header collector area. Steering shaft does move easily though, it is barely rubbing. My concern here is engine torque slamming header into steering shaft. Solution = Good Torque Strap and a little modification to the header.
Blue circled area where steering shaft is slightly rubbing header
Simple solution, heat and pound a dimple in the area with a hammer to create some clearance without damaging header.
Modified area of Driver's side header
Due to closeness of steering shaft to header, I've had to heat the collector area of the header and pound some area in. I utilized a torch set, steel rod about the size of the steering shaft, and a hammer to create the indention to make for some clearance. Also, the flange was close to the steering shaft, so some area had to be grinded away. A little paint made everything look new again!


Easy enough and a simple/cost effective alternative.