Final position of sidepipes

[Claybuster]

Hi All,
I am doing a mock up final assembly before paint and I have a question about the final position of the sidepipes. I have a BPE 302 with FFR headers and sidepipes. Fortunately, I haven't had near the issues as others have had with body openings and funny angles. Everything seems to have lined up with a little extra effort here and there.
The question I have is when the hangars are installed, where does that put the final vertical position of the sidepipes? Should they be even with the bottom of the chassis, or can I expect them to hang a little lower? It seems they will be the lowest part of the car with how I have things mocked up, but I haven't yet drilled any holes on the 2X2 tubes. Does anybody have any pics to share of the hangars and where they put the sidepipes in relation to the bottom of the chassis/body?
Thanks in advance for the direction!
Jason

[Mike.Bray]

I'll throw something out there related but not specifically answering your question. Pay close attention to how the engine and headers are sitting in the chassis. I had to use a C-clamp on one of my motot mounts to squeeze the motor mount down and into position on the frame mount to get the header down and even with the one on the other side. Make sure the motor mounts are fully seated and the headers are uniform heights before starting on the sidepipes.

As they say, start with the basics:)

As far as the hangers, mine are right up against the underside of the body.

[Tooth]

I looked at the pictures on the ffr website to get an idea of position. But, then did a better job on the openings than the pictures they had. :cool:

[Mike.Bray]

My official Leonardo da Vinci drawing of an original 427SC Cobra shows the sidepipes running downhill;)

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[gbranham]

It's a question of aesthetics, and what is pleasing to your eye. With the FFR ball flange headers, you have a lot of freedom to move them up or down. I will say, though...the higher you have them sit, the more of a stretch it is to swing your leg over them to get out without burning yourself. Here's how mine sit, if it helps. Since taking this picture, I've raised the rear of the pipe to make it more parallel with the car, but you get the idea. My hangers are also up against the bottom edge of the body; they can't go any higher.

Greg

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[Mike.Bray]

216719

That's about how mine are now.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I always make them parallel to the 4" chassis tubes.

Jeff

[Claybuster]

Thanks for all of the advice! It's nice to have all of this experience propping us newbies up.
I do have the engine leveled, and the headers seem to be about as equidistant from the ground and body as they can be. That's a cool drawing, Mike!
I look forward to seeing your roadster in it's final color, Greg. I'm thinking of something a little bit darker with grey stripes. I think I saw that Sir Jeff was going to apply the magic? Can't wait to see pics!
I'll keep on keepin on!
Jason

[gbranham]

I look forward to seeing your roadster in it's final color, Greg. I'm thinking of something a little bit darker with grey stripes. I think I saw that Sir Jeff was going to apply the magic? Can't wait to see pics!


Yes, sir! I'm looking forward to it, as well!

Greg