Who has used Pacesetter headers

[adsm08]

Let me start this off with saying that I don't do much with custom exhaust, and most of what I do with it is put it back to factory.


Ok, so with my new engine I acquired a set of Pacesetters. Seems that the Y-pipe is going to intersect my front drive shaft. I know the set came out of a 2wd truck, so I'm not terribly surprised that it doesn't fit right around the 4x4 system.

I have the money to just buy the proper 4x4 set, but looking at the pics online, the set that lists as being for the 4x4 looks disturbingly like what I already have in hand.

So before I drop $200 on parts that I already have, has anyone used these, is there an actual difference, and am I going to be able to just get a kit, or am I gonna have to get out the welder?

 

[triumphrider-1]

I had a set on my '90 2.9L 2wd. I ordered the 2wd set, but they shipped the 4wd set. When I called and talked to their customer assistance dept. I was informed that the 4wd set should fit a 2wd, but a 2wd drive would not fit a 4wd set. From what the guy was saying the 4wd set look very similar but tuck closer to the engine/trans so the drive shaft can fit.

Judging from the set I had, it would have been tight, but the 4wd ones should clear....I'm not 100% though.

 

[adsm08]

From what the guy was saying the 4wd set look very similar but tuck closer to the engine/trans so the drive shaft can fit.

Judging from the set I had, it would have been tight, but the 4wd ones should clear....I'm not 100% though.

I can believe both parts of that.

I haven't dealt with the early 2wd trucks much, but from what I can gather, the biggest difference in the exhaust geometry is that the 4x4 Y-pipe runs right under the front of the bell, and the 2wd pipe crosses over behind the sway bar.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Yeah, the 4wd set I had crossed under the front of the bell; never did get to see the 2wd set.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, the 4wd set I had crossed under the front of the bell; never did get to see the 2wd set.

I have one in my possession. When I tried to put it up the LH bend bisected the front drive shaft and crossed over behind the sway bar.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Hmm, well then.

I would sell you the set I had, but that trucks in a junkyard somewhere in southeast MI; if not scrapped already.

 

[88_Eddie]

i have a set, my y-pipe wont hook up with the stock suspension in. the flange on the y-pipe hits the damn radius arm bracket/nut.....good thing i'm not gonna keep the suspension stock. once i do the extended arms, it wont be a problem.

i've had some people advise me to just do a true duel exhaust, but i dont think it would sound any good on a V6. plus i'd have to buy another muffler and 2 cats

 

[88_Eddie]

oh and i wouldnt bother buying a new set, save your money for something else that you actually need. you can always fab something up to make the 2wd ones work

 

[disciplerocks]

I had some on my old Toyota pickup. Biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. The O2 bung was right in front of the steering column so I had to run them without an O2, paint peeled off and immediately started rusting, and the ball joint would never seal so it was loud as shit. I will never own anything from them again.

 

[88_Eddie]

^
they do say that you need to paint them before you install them. not that it helps, i've driven my b2 5 or 6 times with them in and they are already peeling. i'll most likely wrap them up at some point, i've already got a couple burns from them.

i've gotta add, the only reason i bought them was b/c they were pretty much the exact same price as replacing the stock exhaust manifolds, plus they had a 3 year warranty, came with gaskets and bolts.

the o2 sensor was another thing i forgot about, mine isnt long and it wont hook up, simple fix, but it's annoying

 

[BOSS302Man]

Not that it may help much but I have a set a Pacesetters on my '91 Escort GT with the 1.8 and I painted mine and they flaked easily too that was almost 4 years ago and they look OK and still work well and the fit was pretty good.