'98 Sport SOHC? What mod first?

[exhurdler]

Hi,

I'm obviously new to the forum and have done alot of reading first, but am curious to what should be done first.

To start, the 98 has 60K miles on it and runs/looks great. Bought it from a Ford dealer, so everything was checked-out properly, (hopefully )

1. What safari-guard fits the 98 sport? I've check around and most don't specify the 98 or sport. Should I assume they would fit a 98 if sport or 2/4 door isn't specified?

2. Exhaust: I've seen 4 door exhausts, but no sport (2 door) exhausts. Where can i find one?

3. Intake: who sells a genuine kit. I've seen kits on Ebay with look-alike K&N's.

4. Billet grills? Can these fit the 98 sports? If so, how the hell are you supposed to take off the factory cover?

That's it for starters........

Thanks in advance. Any other suggestions are welcome!

 

[bentley]

Originally posted by exhurdler


1. What safari-guard fits the 98 sport? I've check around and most don't specify the 98 or sport. Should I assume they would fit a 98 if sport or 2/4 door isn't specified?

Yes the front end is the same regardless of the # of doors. they dont usually specify

not sure about the rest......

 

[Alec]

I recommend a KKM intake, www.kustomz.com and a custom Magnaflow exhaust. Details here:

Dead Link Removed

 

[exhurdler]

thanks for the info guys.

i've used magnaflow on my 98 firebird (ls1) and it was great. www.magnaflow.com does not have an exhaust for a 98 sport sohc tho?

any ideas on who has a system for this model/year?

thanks in advance!

 

[XplorerKid]

for your exhuast you might just want to go to a muffler shop and have them make you up an exhuast.........


im sure they could put a magnaflow on there as the muffler

PEACE

 

[exhurdler]

thanks for the info.

here's what i've taken care of:

1) intake system: bought a MAC system.
2) exhaust: found out that flowmaster MAKES a kit for the sports. the catch is, you must puchase a v8 system (dual inlet) and cut the flanges off to make it fit a sohc v6. this is because california has emission regulations on the sohc engine.....?
3) still pricing safari guards and racks. John V made a great offer I might take him up on!
4) still no answer on the billet grills. not sure how to replace the factory look with the replacement grill.

thanks!

 

[Nate1]

A few guys around here (including me) are running magnaflows on our SOHCs. We get them custom built, mine cost about $180. My setup is a 2.25dual in/2.5 out muffler with custom piping. There is some resonance due to the piping, it can get annoying, but the performance is awsome. HokieBert has the same setup as me, except he hated the sound, so he got a resonator installed and says it sounds very good.
I am going to try and get one installed monday, so I'll tell you how it goes, but I would reccomend a custom installed magnaflow, it will run you about $180-$200.
Good luck,
-----Nate

 

[WakeBoarder]

For the grille i removed the emblem and the grille fit on perfect. I wanted to take the factory grill off but found that it would be too much trouble to deal with.

 

[exhurdler]

so the billet grill just fits right on top of the factory one?

 

[WakeBoarder]

yup, just have to take the emblem off

 

[exhurdler]

and there is no difference between the 4dr. and sport models? just makin' sure!

or would it specify?

 

[JOHN V.]

We carry the E & G Billet Grille that fits right over the top of your existing grille. You just have to remove the "Blue Oval" like Wakeboarder said, and your good to go. It is the same for 2 Door or 4 Door. We have it in stock. Find the best price you can (except on E-Bay! ) and I will match it!

One of the best mods you can do is our X-Spec rear sway bar upgrade. It is a simple bolt-on. It improves handling and reduces body roll. The ZD5622 $179.95 is worth every penny! After that we can talk about shocks and a lowering kit.

John V @ Explorer Express

 

[exhurdler]

alrite John V, now your talkin' my language!

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by nweibley
A few guys around here (including me) are running magnaflows on our SOHCs. We get them custom built, mine cost about $180. My setup is a 2.25dual in/2.5 out muffler with custom piping. There is some resonance due to the piping, it can get annoying, but the performance is awsome. HokieBert has the same setup as me, except he hated the sound, so he got a resonator installed and says it sounds very good.
I am going to try and get one installed monday, so I'll tell you how it goes, but I would reccomend a custom installed magnaflow, it will run you about $180-$200.
Good luck,
-----Nate

Correction... I have always loved the sound of my magnaflow.. I just hated the interior resonance. But thats fixed now

 

[exhurdler]

so a resonator is recommended. where can i get one to go with a custom setup? or will a muffler shop carry them?

 

[Hokie]

The problem I had getting a resonator put on was that putting a resonator on a Sport is a very tight fit. The factory exhaust has a resonator, but I had them put in a new tailpipe when I got my catbacks. I talked to about 10 shops and finally found one that could "massage" a resonator right after the muffler (where the pipe curves up to go over the rear axle).

The muffler shop that put it on was able to order the resonator and it cost $20 + labor and it took them 30 minutes to put it on my existing catbacks. I would highly recommend getting a resonator if you use a "free flowing" muffler like a Magnaflow. I am VERY pleased with my final setup. I drove to Colorado (from VA) and back over spring break before I had the resonator on and my ears were ringing the entire time b/c the damn resonance came only when my engine was turning 2700-3000 rpms (which just happens to be the highway cruising speed)

 

[Nate1]

If you need to find a magnaflow preferred installer, check http://www.magnaflow.com/4dealer_locate_a.asp and type in your zip code.
Good luck, I think with a magnaflow and a resonator you would be highly satisfied.
-----Nate