[Just_Bitten]

Hey everyone. In the planning stage and this is just another of the details I'm trying to get figured out. Here are a few sidepipe questions. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

1) Tristate pipes and headers or the FFRs? I've heard the tristate setup is going for $750 which sounds good. I've also heard they are much higher quality and fit better. Anyone know how much of a credit FFR gives for these? Are the tristates worth the extra cash?

2) Does FFR charge extra for the pipes that use the 4 into 4 headers? Their site shows them as a $250 option but the standard pipes are also $250. Wondering if they are both included with the kit, or if the 4to4 pipes are more expensive.

3) Should I have the pipes ceramic coated or chromed? I love the look of chrome but after reading tons of posts on here about how hot the chrome pipes get and that they will turn blue, I'm leaning towards ceramic coating. What type/color of ceramic coating is best to simulate the look of chrome as much as possible?

 

[ORANGE CRUSH]

My car is not on the road yet so I can only give you my opinion from the cars I have seen and road in. That being said I think FFR only gives $100.00 credit for its pipes, the four into four is an upgrade if going with there headers ( I think ) I would be real reluctant to use their pipes and then try to find a set of headers to match them ( for fitting and aligning reason's. I have heard good things about TRISTATES set up but that they are quieter...not for me I like noise. I have seen ceramic coated and chrome pipes and the chrome wins hands down. The chrome pipes I have seen either have very little bluing or none at all. The bluing should only come into play if the car is running lean and creating more heat. I'm going with ceramic on my headers and J pipes and chrome on the side pipes. Hope this helps
Mike

 

[rlogan]

When you get the 4into4s they automatically switch pipes, but the 4into4s are a $450 option.

 

[Ozona]

The tristate pipes have some advantages:

They're made by KooKs custom tubes, which is one of "THE" guys in the custom header business.

1 7/8" primaries
Spiral baffles, not glasspacks, so nothing to wear or blow out
No wierd flange between sidepipe and header pipe
Will accept the N ford exhaust pattern or normal, they come with adapter plates for normal heads.
They have a hard mount to the chassis, not the muffler hanger/thingermerbob.

Mike can make them up with NO muffler if you want them loud. They're impressive looking, and worth the extra bucks.

Ozona

[ August 21, 2002, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Ozona ]

 

[BeTheWaz]

How much quieter are the Tri States?
Thanks

 

[Aaron Silidker]

Chrome blueing can be stopped with some internal coatings that motorcycle guys have been using for years. You can also remove blueing with blue-away, a motorcycle project.

[ August 22, 2002, 12:22 AM: Message edited by: Aaron SIlidker ]

 

[Frank n Sons]

We went with the FFR 4x4's. There was very little in the way of fitment issues, although others have had problems. There was plenty of room to bolt them up to the engine and no sparkplug/flange problems. One sidepipe decided to hang a little lower than the other but that was easily taken care of by ovaling the collector holes slightly. If you are going to do any real HP mods to the mill, the "j" pipe must go in the garbage can and a real system that allows the engine to breathe put in its place. The side pipes that are matched with the 4x4's do not have glass or anything else in them. They do, however, have a cheeze grater around the interior circumfrence to contain any spent gases from backing up into the cylinders. Down side: One of my graters came loose at 600 miles and FFR was unconcerned about my problem. A couple of screws took care of that but FFR should have replaced it. Ceramic coating the headers will not only keep the heat in (footbox will be cooler), it will add a couple of ponies to the engine (an old motorcycle header trick). We only painted the sidepipes BBQ black (which means you can easily repaint them anytime and they look new) but are planning to power coat them in the future.

Frank.

 

[CobraDreaming]

Wait. I thought the 4x4s were standard with the MK II. Your telling me they are still using the J-pipe with the MK II?

 

[bwana50]

Yep, J-pipe is still the "standard issue" with MK II.

 

[wnstwolf]

I am with Frank.. I went with the FFR headers and 4-1 units for my 351. While it took them forever to get to me the way I ordered them (coated from FFR) the end result was very good and the car sounds super. Sorry no pic's. The headers were perfect, side pipes about 85% with a little issue with coating that will be repaired once car is complete. Fit was super on both..

 

[CobraDreaming]

Thanks guys for the pics and replies

 

[ddimick]

FFR pipe delete credit is either $72 or $74, I can't recall which.

 

[Just_Bitten]

Thanks for all the info so far. You guys rock. Still not totally clear on the FFR prices. If I pay for the optional 4 into 4 headers, are the matching FFR pipes still an additional $250?

 

[rlogan]

No, there is not a charge for the pipes when you go with 4 into 4s

 

[Cobra Jones]

Originally posted by rlogan:
No, there is not a charge for the pipes when you go with 4 into 4s

This is correct. Call FFR - if you order 4 into 4 headers when you order the kit, they should swap the sidepipes.

CJ

 

[Just_Bitten]

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. I've decided to go with the Tristate exhaust package. I talked to Mike Mack yesterday at Tristate and it's $750 + $30 shipping for the headers and pipes.

The FFR headers alone are $430 so for about another $275 (after the FFR pipe credit) I'll get a much higher quality exhaust system. Going to order them on Monday.

Thanks for helping me make one of many decisions I'll have to make. Hope the build is as much fun as planning it.