Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

I have an H-pipe from a mustang, it ishiznitting the passenger side of the tunnel, I have tried making everything loose and adjust, but when I bolt back up at the headers it all goes back hitting.  I have taking some off the h-pipe that goes inside the other side hoping I could get it to draw up some, but just not getting anywhere, any ideas?

Bend the hanger mount rod so that the back of the H hangs just a little lower.  High and tight is cool and all, but too high is too tight.

I've been there before.. I remember getting creative with a scissor jack and some wood ;)

What brand H-pipe? The Summit 2.5" H-pipe I have bolted in with no clearance issues.

As did mine, but it was 2 piece which allowed me to get the center to fit just so.

get a jack and a block of wood or a hammer. you'll only need an inch or so to get the  and clearance on it. you could also lower your trans cross member a bit.

This is typical.. I trimmed the angled out part of the seat bracket for more clearance

Maybe at the "H".....Could it be possible to cut a bit of each side off, and then put the pipe back together which would bring the pipes inward a bit. maybe 1/2 and inch tpuppies of each side where the "H" fits together (sides in together) in the middle.

You're right Vin, that does seem to be an aftermarket stainless H with a slip-over balance tube.  Lots of adjustment there.  For some reason if doesn't ever seem like aftermarket H-pipes fit that well straight out of the box.  They always need some sort of adjustment.  Maybe it's just 2-piece units.

id drop the transmission and cross member until you could bolt it together, then jack it back up  it will dimple the floor itself. once you release the jack a bit, then the trans will drop slightly and might give you enough clearance.

I spent almost 2 days getting mine to fit

Mine is a two piece, but the whole pipe on the driver side is the second piece. Enough that I can remove it, keep all of the rest of the exhaust in place, and swap my 5 speed.

that metal itshiznitting will not bend easy, ask me how i know. also are you using a new partstore trans mount? they sit 1/4 to 1/2 inch higher than a oe stock one. i used the mustang urethane mount and it was the right height and gave me .5in clearance between the pipe and the body.. im running a BBK catted h pipe

I hate dealing with exhaust once you get it to fit you will have to make sure it dose not leak lol

mine was so bad, I had to remake all the hangers and mounts

i reused only the tail pipes on my 88 LX, the factory T bird hangers at the ler are also very flimsy. i changed them over to mustan hangers.. those pipes liked to move under there on the stock hangers

Thanks guys for the ideas, I was going to heat and bend the hanger mount a bit, the trans mount is the one that was on there, I assume its factory mustang one, since 5 speed is out of a 94 stang.  It look in good shape so I keep it on. 

2 piece I guess you are talking about it coming apart at the H, yes it comes apart.  I cut about 1/2in off the side that slides into the other side.
It just does not clamp in like we are thinking, the tension on it keeps it from going that far close together.

Any pics of the others that have modified to make work?

I also used the summit off road H pipe with no fitting issues. The stinger tail pipes,gave me more problems.

Okay after taking off and on the h-pipe like 15 times, I ended up bending the hanger a touch and tpuppies on the seat support bracket.  Thanks for the ideas again, I just try to do what I can before tpuppies anything, like to try and keep stuff like that in place, but hey the exhaust kit was a freebie and the car is defiantly not stock, lol.  Will post some pics of soon.

I did away with the H-Pipe hangers. After everything was bolted up, never had an issue without them. Glad yours is where you need it now.

I run a BBK H-pipe.  Bolted right up with no issues. 


Glad you got it figured out.  Problems like these and figuring out ways to fix them is part of the fun working on cars!

I had a BBK H on my old Sport and it went right in with no issues. I also, like Vinnie, did away with the H hangers, not because of fitment, but because I didn't have the bracket.