Shortly after buying my Maverick I noticed that the aftermarket was kind of weak for our cars and started to think of ideas to make that situation a little nicer for us. One of the ideas I came up with was to make a set of headers specifically made for our vehicles that will actually fit. Over the past 4 months I have been compiling information and complaints regarding other headers and the fitment issues associated with them. The fact is that most, if not, all other headers are universal to a certain extent and the Maverick, imo, was an afterthought. This is why current headers "kinda" fit our cars and the reason why so many have to use a hammer to gain clearance of the body and other componets. This is the first time, that I know of, that someone has built a new header for our cars from the ground up (with the exception of engine swap headers). Below I have pics of the prototype on the car and you will see what kind of clearance these have. Also I have listed all the good stuff and what I have addressed in my design. Spark plug clearance. This is a very important aspect to me since this has been a problem in the past. There are "band aids" to fix the problems, sometimes costly, but these will not require them. lots of air between the tube and the wire . Leakage is also another issue that some have. These have 3/8" thick head flanges w/ windows. The collector has a 1/2" thick flange and a "ball and socket" type seal, exactly like most auto manufactures use. It simply will not leak because there is no gasket, its steel to steel. I made shorties for a few very good reasons, heres why... will fit great on lowered vehicles, no more headers scraping on the ground. Ease of installation. These will take only around two hours or so for a good 'ole do-it-yourselfer to install. Seasoned mechanics can knock these out alot faster! On other shorties the passenger side is a real pita and the exit is pointed at the firewall and it makes it difficult to get a nice flowing bend in there without obstructing exhaust gases from excaping. These are pointed more downward and will be an issue no longer! no drop bracket is needed for power steering cars. there is alot of room after installing these ( about a 1/2" at the closest point). this, in a way, compensates for our aging cars that are known for sagging shock towers. Remember, most header designs are at least 25+ years old and were likely "tried" on the maverick/comet when the car was somewhat new. The tubes are 14ga. (.075") and are built to withstand harsh seasonal changes (back east guys, are you listening?). Especially with the coatings I choose to use. Ceramic coatings are used that have been tested at the track as well as the street in bad traffic conditions. Admitingly, some coaters have failed my test and I have found a coater that was able to hold up to hard usage. 2000 degrees! That is when metal starts to fail! High nickel chrome is standard and tubes are polished before hand to produce a beautiful finish. 1 5/8" primary tubes. Other shorties are made with 1 1/2" tubes. I choose a bigger tube to accomodate modern performance parts like aluminum heads and modern cam grinds, and the ever popular efi set up, that were just not around back then. Like I said before, these were built for a automatic car on the floor so not all the different transmission configurations have been proven yet. Thats where you guys come in . Since I cant possibly try these on all vehicles I will need everybodys input on this subject and I will slowly update date the fitment even if it means changing the header a little bit to work in every configuration. Gt40p's included . Maybe, and I say maybe, the 351w cars as well. I will do this on a individual basis and some of you will be happy with your payment, trust me . I know I'm missing some details, so as people chime in, more questions will be answered. So enjoy the pics below and I will be more than happy answer everyone's questions. Jamie Joyce
Way to go JAMIE! Whenever the production begins... I would be happy to lend you my car for a fitment test on a Column Shift C4 transmission; and I will come with money in hand and if they fit nicely.. they will be mine! As you said before, with your visual inspection you thought that these would work with the column shift.
Dont worry Sean, your my column shift guy . And you are correct you WILL own a set one way or the other . Production will begin shortly, and like I said before, everybodys demand will dictate speed of completion. I will get you guys a price, including a member discount, as soon as I speak to the sales manager about it. His ear is already bent on the subject . At that time everyone will get a special code to alert the salesman that you guys are my buds and deserve a break
HOLY CRAP, there is a GOD (not to offend anyone) I've waited 20 yrs for this, you can have my first born for a set that will work on a column shift car....what ever it takes, let me know, I'll buy a set today!!!! you've really made my day!!!!! bowdown:
Hats off Jamie! Excellant choice of materials and production line. I know that these type products can cost a person some serious cash, so soon as you get a figure for me (us) the sooner I can begin planing on the swap. As I mentioned before, I have some black junks that I have wraped and I need to get the use out of them, so it might be a little bit for me. But the way it's looking, I may need them cause my towers are sagging as you mentioned and I got a bad feeling that I might have to have them even if my pocket isn't ready. I do admire your tallent Jamie, great job through all the stages as you come to a finished product.
Jamie, do you need a manual floor shift car for fitment purposes or do forsee a problem with the factory style z-bars? You do not know how much I appreciate this effort.
Do you forsee any problems with someone running a T5 5speed? I'm either going to use a hydro-clutch setup or some sort of Cable but not the factory Z-bar stuff. Those look killer. Would love to have a set!
No, I don't. I'm pretty confident that these will fit because they are cable shifted or in some cases hydraulic. No linkage.
How about ease of putting in the bolts to the head? Will a socket fit or a closed end wrench? Is the coating similar to "Jet Hot" coating? (Last week I just ordered a set of Hedman Shorties........ )
Nice job ... if they could be made to work with the factory clutch linkage that would be awesome .. However, judging by the pictures the current setup you've created could in no way work with a factory z-bar setup .... To make it work you would have to mimic the angle and clearances of the factory V8 manifold.
Craig, 8 out 8 bolts on the pass. side and 5 out of 8 bolts on the d/s will be accessable with a socket, the rest are easily done with a wrench. Another thing I forgot to mention thats important . The coating we use is a ceramic barrier coating that is basically millitary spec. The headers have a "true" coating inside and out to resist corrosion and of course keeps under-hood tempatures down and we all know what a colder intake charge means . The coating closely resembles polished aluminum.
Hmmm... starting to sound like your lubing us up for a big one. Just kiddin, I couldn't resist that one. LOL
Dan, I'm intrested in making these work with the z bar so any help you can give me would be much appreciated. I'm also taking to Terry as well to try to determine if they will work but his car isnt quite ready yet. Like I said I will work with you guys to make something that will cater to all of our needs if possible .
