New Doug Thorley mav/comet shorties

Craig Selvey · Feb 3, 2009

svthauln said: ↑

I do not know if anyone actually put these on a power steering car but the collector clears the pitman arm but when the pipe is on it will not allow full left turns.The pipe will have to be dimpled.
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If we are still talking about the Doug Thorley shorties....I have a set on my power steering car. No problems other than a very small dimple on the exhaust pipe.

GrabberGT · Feb 20, 2009

cole639 said: ↑

Well guys looks like the price has went up on th DT shorties.... They didnt have a estimate on what they are going to cost now but I've got another # to call just as soon as they open up.
I'll keep everyone posted.
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I called them a couple days ago and was told they would sell me a set for 415.00 plus shipping.

jerry dutton · Aug 18, 2015

69 ina 1/2 said: ↑

Shortly after buying my Maverick I noticed that the aftermarket was kind of weak for our cars and started to think of ideas to make that situation a little nicer for us. One of the ideas I came up with was to make a set of headers specifically made for our vehicles that will actually fit. Over the past 4 months I have been compiling information and complaints regarding other headers and the fitment issues associated with them. The fact is that most, if not, all other headers are universal to a certain extent and the Maverick, imo, was an afterthought. This is why current headers "kinda" fit our cars and the reason why so many have to use a hammer to gain clearance of the body and other componets. This is the first time, that I know of, that someone has built a new header for our cars from the ground up (with the exception of engine swap headers). Below I have pics of the prototype on the car and you will see what kind of clearance these have. Also I have listed all the good stuff and what I have addressed in my design.

Spark plug clearance. This is a very important aspect to me since this has been a problem in the past. There are "band aids" to fix the problems, sometimes costly, but these will not require them. lots of air between the tube and the wire .

Leakage is also another issue that some have. These have 3/8" thick head flanges w/ windows. The collector has a 1/2" thick flange and a "ball and socket" type seal, exactly like most auto manufactures use. It simply will not leak because there is no gasket, its steel to steel.

I made shorties for a few very good reasons, heres why...

will fit great on lowered vehicles, no more headers scraping on the ground. Ease of installation. These will take only around two hours or so for a good 'ole do-it-yourselfer to install. Seasoned mechanics can knock these out alot faster!

On other shorties the passenger side is a real pita and the exit is pointed at the firewall and it makes it difficult to get a nice flowing bend in there without obstructing exhaust gases from excaping. These are pointed more downward and will be an issue no longer!

no drop bracket is needed for power steering cars.

there is alot of room after installing these ( about a 1/2" at the closest point).
this, in a way, compensates for our aging cars that are known for sagging shock towers. Remember, most header designs are at least 25+ years old and were likely "tried" on the maverick/comet when the car was somewhat new.

The tubes are 14ga. (.075") and are built to withstand harsh seasonal changes (back east guys, are you listening?). Especially with the coatings I choose to use. Ceramic coatings are used that have been tested at the track as well as the street in bad traffic conditions. Admitingly, some coaters have failed my test and I have found a coater that was able to hold up to hard usage. 2000 degrees! That is when metal starts to fail! High nickel chrome is standard and tubes are polished before hand to produce a beautiful finish.

1 5/8" primary tubes. Other shorties are made with 1 1/2" tubes. I choose a bigger tube to accomodate modern performance parts like aluminum heads and modern cam grinds, and the ever popular efi set up, that were just not around back then.

Like I said before, these were built for a automatic car on the floor so not all the different transmission configurations have been proven yet. Thats where you guys come in . Since I cant possibly try these on all vehicles I will need everybodys input on this subject and I will slowly update date the fitment even if it means changing the header a little bit to work in every configuration. Gt40p's included . Maybe, and I say maybe, the 351w cars as well. I will do this on a individual basis and some of you will be happy with your payment, trust me .

I know I'm missing some details, so as people chime in, more questions will be answered.

So enjoy the pics below and I will be more than happy answer everyone's questions. Jamie Joyce
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I want these headers!!!!!! It seems like these look a little different from others I have seen. Krazy has a set I think on his Comet and they look a little different? Please tell me there is a direct bolt on shortie header out there somewhere....thats not $600!!

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New Doug Thorley mav/comet shorties

Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

GrabberGT Chris

jerry dutton Member

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New Doug Thorley mav/comet shorties

Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

GrabberGT Chris

jerry dutton Member

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