0351mike

Hello all
I could use some help. I just bought a 96 gt for my son. this is one of the only generation stangs that I have not owned. It has off road exhaust on it and in PA I need cats to get it inspected. It has a 4.6 in it, but was replaced. I have no idea what this came out of. I thought all gts of that generation had headers from the factory. This has manifolds. I have two questions, first did all gt have headers from the factory in 96. I understand that Ford produced several 4.6 motors in that year. I have found a original mid pipe from a 2004 mach 1. Will this fit a 96?

dawson1112

starting in 96 the 4.6l modular mustangs came from the factory with iron manifolds. 5.0 liter engines from earlier years came with headers. But not the modulars

school boy

Dawson is correct on the headers. Also the 96-04 mid pipes are the same.

Z28KLR

I've been doing some looking into this recently, trying to see if an X pipe I'm no longer using on my '01 will fit a friends '98. For the most part the above statement is correct, although there is a chance that a pipe from a '99+ car will make contact with the trans on a '96-'98 car due to differences in the crossmember between the two cars.

school boy

I knew there were some minor differences but was under the impression over all no problems on fitment. What is the difference between the two?

Z28KLR

From what I recall reading (just did some Googling) the trans crossmembers are different or located slightly different between '96-'98 and '99+. The crossover section of the midpipe may have a clearance issue there, especially if auto trans. It will still work either way, but if it makes any contact then there may be a rattling/vibration sound.

The only difference I'm aware of between the actual pipes is the older cars had hangers welded on (which aren't necessary anyway) and apparently the position of the crossover section. A '96+ pipe is said to work on all years without issue, it's only putting a '99+ pipe on an earlier year that may have a clearance issue.

I'll definitively find out pretty soon when I go to put this pipe on my friends car.

school boy

Thanks Z. Keep us posted!