Thank you everyone for the information. I have been pondering the same issue for quite some time. However, I too seem to have a lower passenger side collector than the driver side. From a glance it looks like it could be a quarter to half inch or so. I will get an official measurement once she cools off.
From my understanding, both pipes would be lower if the engine or gearbox mounts were starting to wear, correct? Therefore, is the most likely candidate installation error?
Also, as a side note, how many of you decided to coat the SS headers? I was really debating it, and am now starting to see some surface rust on the pipes. I hope I won't regret my decision in a few years.
Thanks a bunch for the help!
Best,
Burden
P.S. This board has been a ton of help over the past few years. Thank you very much for putting together such a terrific resource for our cars and gathering an amazing set of enthusiasts!
From my understanding, both pipes would be lower if the engine or gearbox mounts were starting to wear, correct? Therefore, is the most likely candidate installation error?
Also, as a side note, how many of you decided to coat the SS headers? I was really debating it, and am now starting to see some surface rust on the pipes. I hope I won't regret my decision in a few years.
Hey Burden-
I opted to not coat my headers, but I did spray the collector with high temp matte black paint. If you notice areas of rust, I would attempt to clean the rust as best as you can, and spray with some high temp paint to aide in rust prevention.
I'm planning to stop by my shop this week and see what their thoughts are about replacing my engine mounts in hopes of the collector being positioned in the way SS originally built them. I cannot say whether your instance is installation error, but I'm not sure if engine mounts can wear only on one side causing only one side to be lower than the other.
I opted to not coat my headers, but I did spray the collector with high temp matte black paint. If you notice areas of rust, I would attempt to clean the rust as best as you can, and spray with some high temp paint to aide in rust prevention.
I'm planning to stop by my shop this week and see what their thoughts are about replacing my engine mounts in hopes of the collector being positioned in the way SS originally built them. I cannot say whether your instance is installation error, but I'm not sure if engine mounts can wear only on one side causing only one side to be lower than the other.
I dont have mine coated either. Being stainless, I didnt feel the need. With regards to installation error, the only error could be at the collector and how far up on the header tubes it slides. The last retrofit/gasket replacement I was present and can attest that there is identical spacing at the expansion joint on the individual header pipes for both sides and I personally still have the slight passenger side drop.
My indy indicated that both my motor mounts have "collapsed" and he recommend replacing them. He quoted me $320 out the door. Will update once its done tomorrow in hopes it improves ground clearance.
My indy indicated that both my motor mounts have "collapsed" and he recommend replacing them. He quoted me $320 out the door. Will update once its done tomorrow in hopes it improves ground clearance.
PS: I am at 67k miles.
Sorry about the delay. Havent had the motor mounts done yet. I am changing out the trans mounts on Thursday and will report back
I should probably have my Indy look at the mounts to see what he thinks.
P.S. See if you can do before and after measuremenys and I will do the same!!
Great idea, Steve. What should we measure? Distance between top of collector to chassis? Distance from bottom of collector to ground? Both?
The only place that it makes a difference.....collector to the ground.
Seriously, I will measure from this point before and after. I dont anticipate any change from the tranny mounts, but what the heck, they are easy and with 80,000 could use some fresh rubber. Anxious to see how the motor mounts work. My only fear is actually rasing the motor any more. With the ESS system; Dinan Strut bar and re-mounted oil reservoir, I dont have any room to spare in the vertical height arena.
From the collector to the ground, before, measured 3.25". It now measures 3.50" after replacing both motor mounts, nothing that dramatically improves ground clearance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.Gilli Supersprint
The engine mounts are known to fatigue with time and mileage; when they do sag, even if it's just by a few mm, the entire engine tilts down rearwards, by a x.. amount.
This makes the exhaust headers' exit pipes aim at a lower point than they had been originally designed to.
Here is the reason why our advice is to check the engine and gearbox mounts first, and replace them if necessary.
As a rule of thumb, the proper clearance between the upper collectors and the chassis should be around 1/2".
Alessandro Gilli
Supersprint
Italy
Alessandro - what else can you recommend as to improving ground clearance?
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BTW, your Bears stunk up the joint. 
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