How To Install a 5.0 Exhaust System

4 With the stock H-pipe out of the way, removing the stock mufflers and tailpipes takes only a few minutes. Cut the tailpipes away from the mufflers just in front of the rear axle with a hacksaw. A Sawzall, used here, makes the task easier.

5 With the stock mufflers separated from the tailpipes, the system is removed easily by separating it from the four hangers and grommets with a prybar. Coat the rubber grommets with spray lubricant to make it easier to get the exhaust-system hangers separated from the eyelets in the grommets. There's one at the back of each muffler, as shown here, and one at the end of each tailpipe behind the rear tires.

6 Removing the stock exhaust manifolds is next. The X2C techs begin by removing this car's OE strut-tower brace.

7 On the driver side, remove the oil dipstick tube and all spark-plug wires. You might have to remove the spark plugs.

8 Although not required for the header installations we've done on Fox Mustangs, disconnecting the steering shaft from the rack on an SN-95 car makes header removal easier on the driver side.

9 Next unbolt the manifold from the cylinder head. On an SN-95 5.0, the manifold drops out from underneath the car as shown.

10 To access the manifold, disconnect and remove the air-injection hoses on the passenger side of the engine.

11 On an SN-95 5.0, access to the passenger-side manifold is surprisingly good once the air-injection hoses are removed. As shown here, there's even enough room to fit an air ratchet and socket to several of the bolts, although a standard 3/8-inch-drive ratchet and socket are also perfectly adequate. Also remove the EGR tube from the manifold (unique to '94-'95 5.0s), which has already been done here.

12 Installing the new components is a reversal of the removal process for the headers, X-pipe, and after-cat system. On the passenger side, the BBK shorty header drops into place from under the hood as shown. Install the supplied new EGR tube on the passenger-side header.