LT Header Collectors Scraping

**94Cobra** · 03-07-2008, 01:54 PM

I recently installed Hooker LT headers with the traditional 3" collector and 3 bolt mount flange. My '94 Cobra is lowered approx. 1" with the Steeda Sport Springs. I scraped the drivers side collector yesterday when I hit a dip in the road at 40mph. I want to solve this problem, but am not sure which of the options would be best. If you could chime in and let me know what you would recommend and if your shop could perform the work, I would appreciate it.
1) Raise the car by putting in poly/teflon spring spacers. Not sure if these exist.
2) Cut off the collector flange and go to a slip-fit and band clamp exhaust setup. This would raise the exhaust and leave suspension height alone.
3) Put stock cobra springs back on to raise the car. I like the lowered look and better handling of steeda sport springs.
4) Buy higher profile tires to raise the car with larger tire size. Not in the budget in the near future.
Thanks, Bob

**PunisherStang** · 03-07-2008, 02:03 PM

im surprised your car scraps on just 1inch drop, i have hookers with 3 inch collectors and sportline springs which are 2.5 inch drop and i dont scrape unless its on a bad speed bump. i would say stock springs if you are truely worried about scraping, bigger tires might possibly solve it, but you might still scrape, just my 2 cents.

**somethingclever** · 03-07-2008, 02:34 PM

I say to go back and keep hitting that same bump over and over until you no longer scrape. It's like fixing it without really working. :D

Do you know what actually scraped? (the bottom of the 3 bolt flange, or the header collector itself....or the exhaust after the collector?)

If it's the flange itself you could probably get another 1/2" of clearance by removing the factory style flange and going to a ball and socket connection..which is a better connection anyway IMO.

**94Cobra** · 03-07-2008, 03:26 PM

It is the bottom of the 3 inch collector on driver's side only that scraped. It must have rattled the intermediate pipes loose as well since they now scrape at the muffler when I pull into my garage. Didn't do that before the scrape occurred yesterday. Perhaps my car is lowered more than 1 inch - it sure seems low to me. The 255/40/17 tires aren't helping.

**somethingclever** · 03-07-2008, 03:55 PM

Well it's just up to you what you want to do...taller springs....or taller tires.

The springs would be the best bang for the buck.

**94Cobra** · 03-08-2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the replies - I was a bit surprised no vendors chimed in though. I decided to put the stock 94/95 cobra springs back on. If anyone has a set of stock 94/95 cobra springs, I am looking to buy a set of four.

After putting the car up on jack stands today, I noticed the front of the collector (where the 4 primaries are welded to the collector) is what scraped. There is no way to raise that part of the header unless I got different motor mounts, which may cause other problems.

**J-rod** · 03-08-2008, 12:29 PM

stupid question, but do you have the isos ont he springs or not? if you dont maybe putting in the top ones would help you enough and not have to go back to the stock 4x4 look.

**94Cobra** · 03-08-2008, 03:23 PM

The isos are there, but they are the stock rubber ones and are all cracked and worn out. I wonder how much putting the poly isos in would raise it?

**J-rod** · 03-08-2008, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by 94Cobra

The isos are there, but they are the stock rubber ones and are all cracked and worn out. I wonder how much putting the poly isos in would raise it?

not sure....but it be more than the stock rubbers. actually i believe i have either the top or bottom front poly iso's if you want to try. i sold my rears, but i have the top or bottom, i cant remember id have to look in the building.

**94Cobra** · 03-08-2008, 06:32 PM

After reading these links, I am thinking about going with the '03 Mach1 or '01 Bullitt springs. I may keep my Steeda Sport springs and go with the Steeda 1/4 inch spacers and new poly isos.

This link has great info.

http://veryuseful.com/InvisionBoard/...hp?showtopic=3

**J-rod** · 03-08-2008, 08:09 PM

if you want to try these iso's ill ship them out to ya. no charge of course. one does have a small rip from Tim trying to install it. wont effect functionality at all

**383taman** · 03-08-2008, 08:18 PM

i would cut off the flanges and use a band clamp thats what im doing with my fox

**PaxtonShelby** · 03-11-2008, 12:43 AM

Bob - I think you know that I cut of my collector flanges and slip fit the exhaust over the header using heavy duty stainless band-style exhaust clamps from Summit. I don't have the part # handy, but you're welcome to come take a look at them on the car. It is at my folks' house ( also in Moon ) since Dad's '57 is sleeping in my garage these days.

Personally, I'd rather keep the low & mean look of the car than install taller springs. Your car sits just right as it is.

You'd have to have your h-pipe extended a few inches to get enough overlap, but I think it would be cheaper than buying / installing new springs. I know you're very happy with the way your car handles - it would suck to end up with a higher car that doesn't handle quite as well.

Is there any chance that someone shortened the springs on your car? The more I think about it, unless your headers are pretty low, you shouldn't be scraping at all. Might be worth getting an un-compressed measurement on the front springs and comparing that to the manufacturer specs.

**94Cobra** · 03-11-2008, 08:57 AM

Ron - I wish the slip fit solution would work, but it won't solve my problem. The front part of the collector (where the 4 tubes are welded to the front of the connector) actually sits lower than the mounting flange. The front of the collector is what is scraping. The left side header sits much lower than the right side header for some reason. The motor mounts are new energy suspension mounts - so I don't think they are the problem. I don't know any other way to solve the problem except by raising the car. I love the sound of the LT's more than the lowered suspension. Plus, I am tired of needing to drive my car up on 2 x 4's to fit a jack under the front bumper.

I will call Steeda and find out the stock, uncompressed height of the springs. That is a good idea.

Steeda sells 1/4 metal ring spacers for $9 each which raise the front of the car 1/2 inch. I am leaning toward trying those unless I can find some inexpensive, used '03 mach 1 springs.
I measured my fender height and the front is 26.5 and the rear is 27". So raising the front .5 with the steeda spacers might be the best option. I plan to put poly upper and lower spring isolators on, which should raise the car .25 front and back.

I am also going to replace the front control arms. I can get FRPP '03 Cobra FCAs for $138. They have much better bushings and a better ball joint. Who knows, replacing these FCA's might fix the problem if the bushings are shot.