I have to think that anything that dampens the suspension movement will make it easier on it. I'll tell you that adding a steering stabilizer on my '03 with 285/70-17's made a BIG difference on the gravel/washboard roads I drive on.

 

yep... or he took a drag off the devil's lettuce.

I'm used to going to O'Reilly for stuff like that. The employees over there are waaaay smarter. I should have gone to O'Reilly, but I like the Four Seasons stuff better than Murray. Hell... it's probably though, the exact same thing the way it's going lately.

 

So you plan on doing the Y pipe first, headers later ? If you're in the rust belt, then no...heat most likley won't even save you. Drilling those out may be next to impossible unless you have on hand, - Cobalt M42 drill bits and a good carbide burr set. Start with a bit/finish with a burr.
Option two, - drill new hole along side. Not ideal, but much easier and it works.
Option three, - I haven't attempted yet, somebody out there makes a go around clamp kit as a solution. I've only seen this in pictures and not on a F150 site. I'll try a quick search ..see if it comes up............ there it is, -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15480191921...xoCgOQQAvD_BwE

The thing with shorty or LT's for that matter, a quality set cost a small fortune. Anything less than that are junk, have problems right off the bat or the primaries rust a little and crack at the flange in two or three years. It's the weak point. Pretty much why I defaulted to knew OEM's. They are thick, heavy and they last.

 

Also, FYI - IF you're purchasing the Y from Superior like I did, Bosch O2 sensors have fitment issues on the passenger side. They come into contact with the block gusset right at the top of the sensor.
So you'll either have to notch the gusset with a aluminum cut carbide burr, -


or run Denso or NTK sensors up front as those O2's are much narrower, shorter and clear the block. (FYI) The upstream Bosch sensors can be used downstream as well...

Also the transmission mount hanger might not line up. It was different on the 98 model, the hanger was set up for the later models 99 plus. Ford changed hanger mounts in 99, so you may not have an issue at all. It was a PITA to re position the hanger due the Y being 430 series stainless steel. Weld ability is MUCH more difficult than 300 series SS. Requires at least 180 amps or you're going to have to pre-heat the pipe and hanger before welding. Otherwise the weld will start cold. Fortunately I was able accomplish this with a 140 amp. Hard part was figuring it out what was going on...never welded on exhaust that I couldn't burn a hole though. Anyway, that's all I'll say about that for now, you probably won't run into this issue. If you do, wanted to make some mention of it before hand so you know.. no worries, there's a way around it.

Other than that, the Y fits like glove...very good quality, not cat DTC's or leaks...it's solid.

 

What I want to do is get the truck setup fresh and ready to Stab in a new crate motor with the headers/manifolds already on the engine. Once I put in the new engine I don't want to think about anything else for a while.

Over the last couple weeks I've been contemplating selling My '21 Mustang to fund another Chevy Nova (68-72) but spending so much time working on the truck has taught me I'm not quite ready for another Old Project car.

 

Sucks about the Stang...but understand completely, deal with the exhaust first ...get that out of the way, move onto the engine.

Looks like you have to decide headers or OEM manifolds at this point. OEM's are much cheaper, if the current manifolds become an issue I might option for those then if still on fence about headers....relieve a little pressure and move forward lol.

Shorties are direct fit and a easy install... with the engine in place as well.. imo...not that big of a deal to save for later.

Suggest these gaskets and studs with OEM manifolds, -

 

OMG the page opened to the correct post instead of eight pages behind, like it has for the past two months!

 

My Dad told me year ago "don't EVER sell that Mustang (The Eight Nine) because you'll kick yourself in the azz every time you see one, think about it, or someone brings it up in conversation". So... here it is still. He knows from experience with his 69 Camaro. If something has to go out of the two, it's Frankie.

 

I still miss my '87 over 20 years later. I don't drive the '95 enough. If I stay out here, I could probably sell it and not miss it a lot, but if I move somewhere I can enjoy it more, that would likely change.

 

I know a lot of guys that miss their Fox's a lot. Unfortunately, it's getting harder to find them decently priced lately - because dudes in my age bracket are scooping them up now they're becoming empty nesters, etc.