[Grog6]

The silencer doesn't pop out. You have to get to it through the fender still. You have to remove the intake tube from the MAF forward in the engine compartment. Once removed, you'll see three bolts attaching the resonator box to the body of the car. Remove those bolts. Once they've been removed, the resonator is loose and can be pulled through the fender.

I posted a link above that explains exactly how to remove it.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Whoops! Totally skipped right over it!!!

 

[robert_97tbird]

Alright thanks for the info guys, on a different subject has there been any "smoked" style headlights available for the bird that aren't just the covers? I haven't seen or heard anything about them.

 

[XR7-4.6]

You have to do it custom, separating the lenses from the housings, masking the reflectors and painting the bottom and sides of the housing and portions of the clear lens black to achieve the effect. I used to have them on my Cougar.

The corner lenses are impossible to separate cleanly via the oven or freezing methods that usually work on the headlight portions, you need a dremel type tool to cut away the housing’s outer lip around the lens so you can slip something thin and sharp through to cut through the glue.

 

[robert_97tbird]

You have to do it custom, separating the lenses from the housings, masking the reflectors and painting the bottom and sides of the housing and portions of the clear lens black to achieve the effect. I used to have them on my Cougar.

The corner lenses are impossible to separate cleanly via the oven or freezing methods that usually work on the headlight portions, you need a dremel type tool to cut away the housing’s outer lip around the lens so you can slip something thin and sharp through to cut through the glue.

Sounds like a lot but damn that looks good. Did it effect how bright your light were much?

 

[highway pirate]

Back to your exhaust plans....you may want to check out "mandrel exhaust systems." I bought a TRUE dual exhaust system from them that really worked great. It came with low restriction cats and a crossover pipe. No mufflers come with the kit, so I installed straight thru Magnaflows. This really made my Bird breathe, especially at high speed.
Nix the cool air intake. The filter cone is usually in the engine compartment. …..Lets see, it get up to 200 or more degrees in there. So all your really doing is sucking in a bunch of super hot air. I'm running the stock intake with a K & N filter. I must say I did notice a very slight improvement with the K&N. They just make better cense to me.
Another suggestion. You mention handling. Take a good look under that hood of yours. Lots of stuff under there, including that big heavy V8. Want to lighten things up a bit ? Relocate your battery to the trunk. I did. Its actually very easy to do. I have a post on here about it....someplace.
Sounds to me that your gonna have one really trick TBird when you done. I think that's really cool !

 

[robert_97tbird]

Back to your exhaust plans....you may want to check out "mandrel exhaust systems." I bought a TRUE dual exhaust system from them that really worked great. It came with low restriction cats and a crossover pipe. No mufflers come with the kit, so I installed straight thru Magnaflows. This really made my Bird breathe, especially at high speed.
Nix the cool air intake. The filter cone is usually in the engine compartment. …..Lets see, it get up to 200 or more degrees in there. So all your really doing is sucking in a bunch of super hot air. I'm running the stock intake with a K & N filter. I must say I did notice a very slight improvement with the K&N. They just make better cense to me.
Another suggestion. You mention handling. Take a good look under that hood of yours. Lots of stuff under there, including that big heavy V8. Want to lighten things up a bit ? Relocate your battery to the trunk. I did. Its actually very easy to do. I have a post on here about it....someplace.
Sounds to me that your gonna have one really trick TBird when you done. I think that's really cool !

Ill check out the mandrel exhaust not sure if that would pass smog in California though. How much did the system end up costing all together if you dont mind me asking. Also does the tbird have 3 cats? Or am i looking at something else.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Ill check out the mandrel exhaust not sure if that would pass smog in California though. How much did the system end up costing all together if you dont mind me asking. Also does the tbird have 3 cats? Or am i looking at something else.

So long as you use CA legal CATs, it'll pass smog. Plenty of modified exhausts here in CA that have not impact on pass / fail of smog tests.

Long story short, keep the EGR system, use CA legal headers, keep the CATs (must be CA approved), and the car ought to pass no problem.

 

[robert_97tbird]

Nearly bolt on supercharger options? Intended for street use so something i can keep my ac with and also not have to worry about it getting to hot. What all should be done to go along with it. This will be one of the last things i do, gotta get the car in shape to handle a sc, if i do it. Sounded like the allen or aed are good options for not having to do as many adaptations to the kit

 

[CDsDontBurn]

The AED is definitely an option that will work and still be CA legal. There's a guy in the Fresno area selling a kit. Not sure if he's already sold it though. I haven't seen him post in quite some time.

Then, I have this. Not sure if this info is still relevant or not, but these are a list of supercharger kits that are CA legal. You'd probably have to go through all the CA paperwork process, then get it checked out by a state referee and whatnot before you get a "seal of approval".

As for me, I think it'd be easier to have two engines for the car. The "go-fast" engine, and the "sniffer test" engine. The "sniffer test" engine would also double up as the "fix it ticket" engine, lol. Sure, it'd be more work, but getting around the system is easier than working with the system, IMO.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Sounds like a lot but damn that looks good. Did it effect how bright your light were much?

Nope, same output before/after. The key is masking the crystal reflector sections on the backside of the housings, that’s what spreads the beam. The ribbed and flat areas painted over don’t do anything.

Use green automotive masking tape if you go through with this, regular blue tends to peel off the plastichrome plating

 

[robert_97tbird]

The AED is definitely an option that will work and still be CA legal. There's a guy in the Fresno area selling a kit. Not sure if he's already sold it though. I haven't seen him post in quite some time.

Then, I have this. Not sure if this info is still relevant or not, but these are a list of supercharger kits that are CA legal. You'd probably have to go through all the CA paperwork process, then get it checked out by a state referee and whatnot before you get a "seal of approval".

As for me, I think it'd be easier to have two engines for the car. The "go-fast" engine, and the "sniffer test" engine. The "sniffer test" engine would also double up as the "fix it ticket" engine, lol. Sure, it'd be more work, but getting around the system is easier than working with the system, IMO. <img src="http://forums.tccoa.com/images/smilies/vb2_wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" />

Yea i have had a few people tell me two motors would almost be easier than worrying about keeping it cali legal but if i were to do it id want to go all out with a built up cobra motor or something haha, and i already have a vehicle my father and i plan on building up. It needs somewhat of a full rebuild, also plan on putting a 302 in it(1988 Ford Ranger GT) Id love to have multiple projects but unfortunately dont have the time or money to do all of them the way id want.. Anyways back on the allen option who near Fresno had one or is there somewhere i could buy the full kit new or "like new", and how difficult is all this paperwork ive seen people running forced induction around so it seems doable. Oh and the image you put up says its broken

 

[CDsDontBurn]

I can't find the guy's posts. His name is Cruz. He had a '97 T-Bird that he went matte black on with 5 spoke 20" wheels. It looked sick. I don't remember his username on the forums and checking his FB profile, it seems he hasn't been on FB since late last year.

I didn't post up an image. I posted up a PDF file.

And since I brought it up, if you're on FB, here's the link to the TCCOA FB page. A few of us from the forums are on it and some are not. Some members of the FB group are oblivious to the forums and / or don't want to be on the forums. It's not particular wealth of information like the forums are, but they are by far more active than the forums. So if you're in a pinch, can't find the info you need, and need help ASAP, post there and someone will likely help you find your answer.

 

[highway pirate]

I don't remember a 3rd cat. The new system came with 2 LR cats and the crossover pipe. I think it cost me around 240 for the galvanized system. Stainless was much more.
Keep and eye on ebay. Stuff like this pops up all the time.

 

[highway pirate]

Hey Robert..I checked Ebay out of curiositry and yep, the mandrel dual exhaust system is on there. You can get the true dual exhaust pipes with crossover for $215. Make sure your looking at the right ad though. Some have the crossover, some don't. If you want to spend the extra money,a stainless steel system is available. Living in California, I'm sure the aluminized system will hold up just fine.

 

[robert_97tbird]

Hey Robert..I checked Ebay out of curiositry and yep, the mandrel dual exhaust system is on there. You can get the true dual exhaust pipes with crossover for $215. Make sure your looking at the right ad though. Some have the crossover, some don't. If you want to spend the extra money,a stainless steel system is available. Living in California, I'm sure the aluminized system will hold up just fine.

I checked them out, looks good to me. Any idea the weight difference between aluminum and steel for that. Id just need mufflers to complete this system right, if i were to replace the cats later

 

[Grog6]

I took the MBS kit they sent to a local shop, and bought their cheapest mufflers for ~$25 each; it's loud as ****, but sounds really good.

The 2.5" pipes are significantly louder than the 2.125" pipes, with the same mufflers.

You can get better mufflers from summit for ~$150; that's almost as much as the kit, but a lot quieter.

I'd go magnaflow 3 chambers, if you want quiet.

The X-pipe sounds Great when you jump on it.

Like removing the intake silencer, it makes the throttle response much nicer.

 

[S4gunn]

I checked them out, looks good to me. Any idea the weight difference between aluminum and steel for that. Id just need mufflers to complete this system right, if i were to replace the cats later

Its aluminized steel. Basically steel that has been hot dipped in an aluminum silicate alloy to resist corrosion. Even in CA, you will still want to paint it to help with corrosion protection esp around the weld points.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminized_steel

IMO, your biggest expense on a MES package will be the labor costs to weld everything together. I did it myself with my welder and self-taught myself how to weld well enough that the system doesn't leak. If you paid someone to do the work, I suspect you'll spend at least as much as what MES charges to put together the new system for you from the cats backward.

-g

 

[robert_97tbird]

How have you guys done the cats did you have them hollowed(i think thats the term) or buy new high flow ones?

 

[RalphP]

MES does offer a stainless version.

RwP