Cobra Exhaust manifold install

[Yokomo99]

I am also going to use Cobra manifolds instead of headers. I am in the process of purchasing a set of 03,04 Cobra manifolds is there a fitment issue with the steering shaft and if so how did you correct for it. Sorry to bring an old thread I forgot that I was looking at search results.

 

[driller]

There was no fitment issues on my '96.

You will need to mod the steering shaft.

Basically you need a splined coupler, splined stub shaft and a Flaming River joint. Pics compliments of Mad1stGen.

 

[beerdog]

You can get everything from Flaming River in SS for about $140. You need the 8" shaft and then remove 1/2" from each end.

 

[Yokomo99]

Thanks for the info. One more question what is the spline count on the steering shaft.

 

[Mad1stGen]

Thanks for the info. One more question what is the spline count on the steering shaft.

3/4 36 spline.

 

[beerdog]

The cobra manifolds even have a slighly more agressive growl when you lay on it.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Hi everyone I'm in the hunter/gatherer phase of getting putting a Mach 1 motor into my Cougar. My question is, has anyone used a Mustang midpipe for the front half of the exhaust with these? Particularly a catted factory one? I've got a deal cooking locally and figured I should probably verify it's fitment from the experience of others rather than my assumptions lol

Looks like all I'd really need to do is add hangers and have some ball/socket flanges welded to my current dual catback. Any input? Main concern that popped into my head is possible height differences at the floor and lower firewall or maybe width between frame rails

 

[Mad1stGen]

I tired using a Magnaflow piece, as well as OEM 03-04 piping. None of it fits correctly and needs to be modified, so you might as well do it from scratch.

 

[XR7-4.6]

I was afraid of that. Was it floor clearance that made it a no-go(pipes too close)? I might have a solution for that aspect that will also solve my likely hood clearance issues

 

[Mad1stGen]

The floor clearance was an issue with the OEM piece, the magnaflow piping hit the trans crossmember. The fit is just not right, but I am not sure how much you care for that.
I had the k-member spaced down at that time as well. Essentially you're not saving any money anyway.

 

[XR7-4.6]

I see. Money isn't so much the issue, it's more being able to hook up some length of exhaust when I drop the motor in at my friends garage and be able to drive it to a exhaust place to join my current catback to it soon after.

The factory exhaust was mainly appealing since I'll possibly be relocating to SoCal and having a matching factory catted midpipe for the motor will be one less hoop to jump through to pass smog.

Thanks for the help btw!

 

[beerdog]

I drove my car with nothing attached to the exhaust manifolds.

 

[M Darrah]

I just noticed from the pics that there looks to be no clearance for the EGR tube, but maybe it's just the viewing angle. For those of us (all two of us) who'd like to keep the EGR, is this indeed the case?

 

[XR7-4.6]

I think it's the angle but it does look close with the spline extensions. I got my motor out of Unity's old 96 and even though it had EGR deleted it had plenty of room around the tube area. Although his had the 3 joint flaming river setup too so that probably contributed

 

[XR7-4.6]

Oh wow, I was just browsing some pics and the crossmember fitment issues became very clear. I hadn't realized Ford moved the mounting points and actual member to inside the tunnel, rather than outward towards the frame rails. Pretty much puts the downstream cats right in the middle of our MN12/FN10 crossmember