Another header question.. SBF 302

[TxMike64]

I've seen quite a few run BBK (and other brands) unequal-length shorty headers on 302/5.0 motors. I would like to run the equal-length shorties on my 302 - mostly because I like how they look. My initial assumption is that they should fit fine as the flange and ball-flange are in the same location and the YMM is the same application. But looking at some picture tonight I saw something that raises concern: Do the equal-length BBK shorty headers for the 302 clear the steering shaft, and with EPS too?

[FF33rod]

You also have to be concerned with the fit (position) for the exhaust system and clearance to firewall. My understanding is the unequal length are the only ones that work without getting into a bunch of other modifications

Steve

[NAZ]

The FFR design has a couple issues and the lack of room for a properly sized exhaust system is one of them. The chassis is tight as it is a replica of a car that was very narrow form the factory and not designed to support larger modern higher HP engines. And the very robust FFR design makes that even tighter and difficult to modify to make more room.

The design seems to fit the needs of most builders that just want a modest powered engine and build with the FFR suggested / supplied exhaust system components. But if you want something different than the "standard" you will be spending lot's of time and $$ designing and custom fabricating and even then, you will have limited options. Best to stay with the headers FFR suggests if this is just a street car. While I have the ability to design and fabricate a performance exhaust to fit my needs it still cost me ~$900 to build a set of headers and mufflers for my engine and because of the space issues, they had to dump in front of the doors making the sound obnoxious while driving on the street.

[TxMike64]

I'm not worried about a "proper exhaust system". I'm considering two different styles of the FFR recommended header, from the same manufacturer, both designed for the same year make and model application, and was curious about a clearance issue. I could spend a bunch of money for custom made headers and exhaust, all to gain a few horsepower and improve my power curves... But that's not what I'm interested in, or asking about.

Wallace18 answered my question in another thread. Thanks.

[fostia]

I have a SBF and the BBK unequal length headers. I also have the electric power steering. My problem with the SBF was that I had a summit racing oil pan and the EPS system needed to be clocked way down to clear the pan, so much so that it became the lowest point on the car. I had to add engine mount spacers AND drill new clocking holes to get it "livable". So the headers fit based on that info. The upper bolt on the drivers side comes REALLY close to the firewall and i had to grind down a harbor frieght wrench to get it installed. On another note there is a post called "302 Headers" on the other forum by user monty33 on April 13th 2009. He bought BBK equal length headers and had interference with the passenger side motor mount adapter and had to return the parts and go with unequal length headers. Not sure if anything has changed which would nullify that info. In regards to unequal length headers, I really wanted ford racing ones but apparently they are unobtanium.