Long Tube headers question...

[Linktheworld]

Sorry I tried searching for this first, I found a couple of threads but they didnt talk about what I am wondering.

What I want to know is.... Is there a differance in sound between long tube and shorty headers? Try and explain the differance if possible....ie is one louder than the other?

If I have a 2003 mustang GT with an auto trans and I only plan on having 300 HP which headers should I get and why?


Do you think this would be a good setup??

www.ebay.com


in the search box copy and paste this number... 260141852252


This is the one I am thinking about buying.

Thank you for any input or advice!

[TT_GT]

Longtube headers will give you a little bit deeper of sound and free up a little bit more exust. flow. i started off with shorty headers then i upgraded to longtube. shortys are good if you dont wanna pay alot cuz shortys are alot cheaper then longtubes. and if your looking for some headers i have a pair of JBA shortys im selling

[my86gt]

found this on another site hope it helps you out.

There's an odd balance of backpressure, and free-flow, that determines how much (and what type) of power you'll produce.

Lose your backpressure, lose your torque. That's the way it has ALWAYS been described to me. Shorty headers give you virtually NO gain over stock manifolds. Just by looking at them, you can see how small the difference is from stock.

I've heard people talk about long tubes helping to balance the exhaust output from each cylinder more, since they have more time to settle and balance before they're thrown into your exhaust. Whether this is true or not, I can't say.

You really WILL end up regretting short tubes, most likely. They're not cheap, and barely give you more power than a high performance air filter.

Look up some dyno results on header comparisons. You'll see, we aren't all making this info up. :) You'll see almost no gain on shorties, a LITTLE better gain on midlength, and a good gain on long tubes. If you have to pass emissions, stick with the stock manifolds, you'll be wasting your money otherwise. If you don't have emissions, and have a stock-height car, get long tubes. If you're lowered, use your own discretion. LT's will definitely take some ground clearance away.

now for brands everybody has a diff opinion me im running the MAC longtubes with the MAC pro-chamber on my 306 and pushed out 300 + hp to the rear wheels

[TT_GT]

yea them headers on ebay are not a bad deal at all i would say you should get them. those would be better than my JBA shortys

[Linktheworld]

Are the ones off ebay shorty, mid, or long tubes? I cant tell.

[my86gt]

longtubes

[Linktheworld]

So does everyone here agree that is a good deal?

[my86gt]

yes it is, go for it

[Linktheworld]

Do I need to buy anything else if I buy that setup? or will it just bolt right on? I have an automatic trans does that make a differance?

[my86gt]

you should be good , just ask the seller the question he should be able to let you know

[Linktheworld]

oh yeah, what about the sound? Will my car sound any different with the long tubes on? How so? Louder?

[TT_GT]

your car will have a deeper louder sound it will sound real nice

[speedfreak87]

Imho, or the cost of the install, I wouldn't get them, a catted x-pipe and a nice cat back (slp loud mouth comes mind) will make the car sound just as nice.


But if you go with long tubes, you will need a x-pipe or h-pipe made for long tubes.

[my86gt]

he is getting a longtube H-pipe set up, that are being sold as a kit Joey

[speedfreak87]

he is getting a longtube H-pipe set up, that are being sold as a kit Joey

oh, well then. lol! you're all set. lol!

[Linktheworld]

So then if I only have 280 HP am I going to actually lose some low end power if I put on the long tube headers?

[speedfreak87]

you might lose some low end tourqe.

[03SVT]

long tubes will add torque not lose it, especially with an h pipe vice an X pipe

[speedfreak87]

not on a bone stock gt motor, you will lose a bit on the low end. if he had a cammed motor os an SC he would be good to go.

[Bulldog Stang]

he may lose a lp of tq or so but make up for it on the top end with a few hp gains.... I run the BBK Long Tubes with a OR-X and I love the sound .... Since u have an auto, MAKE sure the headers fit with an auto tranny ... I know the BBK's will not work with an auto due to the space provided..

[Linktheworld]

ok cool, thanks for the info. Yeah having them fit is always a good thing. I will make sure, I think it is a MAC brand, so I still have some more research to do.

[Linktheworld]

Oh yeah...one more questions.... Are "shorty" headers the same headers that are stock? Just maybe made out of a different material? Or are shorty headers alittle better than stock? why or why not?

[my86gt]

they are like stock just you wont have all the dings like the stock one do.

[speedfreak87]

Oh yeah...one more questions.... Are "shorty" headers the same headers that are stock? Just maybe made out of a different material? Or are shorty headers alittle better than stock? why or why not?

they are similar to stock.

But imho, with the way stock 99-04 manifolds flow it would be a waste of money to get shorties.

[Bulldog Stang]

tru dat .. all the shorties do is make em equal length and the tubing is a little thicker than stock ... if your gonna do headers, go long tube .. oh yeah, are you gonna do the install urself ??? Good Luck if ya do .... It is a PITA ... :)

[TT_GT]

yea i did the headers on my car myself and i kept the motor in the car. from some one that did it its not a fun job to do at all!!!!

[TT_GT]

forgot to add the driverside's not as bad as the passenger. the passengerside you have VERY LITTLE room to work with if the motor stays in the car

[speedfreak87]

Yeah, I have had my hands in on an install on a mod motor, and I will tell you, I would even pay someone to do it. lol!

[spankmaster]

I have done it 5 times and I wish I paid someone else to do everytime.

[TT_GT]

heres some things i found other people saying bout headers

WELL.... Long tube headers do provide the best power but not by a big
margin. The difference between UNEQUAL shorty headers and long tubes on a
340 hp engine is about 10 HP. That is 3%!!! Not a big deal. Given the
complications and space requirements for long tubes and that in many places
the mere presence of long tubes would result in a failed emissions check, 3%
is nothing. Shorty headers are indeed a good option and do provide a nice
improvement of over the restrictive stock manifolds / "headers".

Forgot to add.. the best deal in shorty headers IMO are the Ford FRPP
stainless steel with ceramic coating. The quality is excellent and the
price can't be beat.

Anyone have any hard data showing the difference(s) between OEM
headers -Vs- Shorties ??

What about -Vs- Equal lenght shorties -Vs- Unequal ??

Equal length headers give you a litte more power in the midrange. Unequal
length give more power down low and at the high end. Overall they are
almost identical. Having had equal length, I switched to unequals because
the produce less heat in the engine compartment, dont burn plug boots, and
are much easier to install/remove.

I'd have to recommend shorties. I've heard of many headaches when trying to
install the longtubes. And for what? You said you don't plan on going too
radical with mods, so there shouldn't be much performance difference between
the shorties or longtubes. Take the easier and cheaper route that the
shorties offer.

On the header side, I prefer long tubes as they are torquier but if a
supercharger is in the car's future then it's a waste of money as you don't
need much scavenging with forced induction. Although, I would choose the cam
at the time of the purchase of the SC if one is in your future...The long
tubes are not that bad to install (mind you I have a lift in my garage so I
am sometimes biased by this...) and not that more expensive if you are
buying a H pipe anyway. Buying the long tubes with a short H pipe or the
shorties withh a long H pipe are only a few dollars appart...


Shorty headers come in two configurations:
* Equal length - each pipe is of same length and must contort around the
other pipes to reach the rest of the exhaust system.
* Unequal length - each pipe is relatively shorter from front to back.
These are easier to install.


The performance differences between the two are minimal so installation
becomes the predominant purchasing factor. Installing these with hi-flow
mufflers will improve performance though the addition of larger diameter
pipes between these two components will increase the flow dramatically!

long tube headers
increas torque quite a bit over the short ones, it has nothing to do with racing
and even less with "good ole boys". And you do absolutly NOT have to bypss the
cats, Mac makes a high flow catalytic H pipe that is meant to properly mate with
the long tube headers on a Mustang.

[TT_GT]

ive read where shortys give 4 crank horsepower and long tubes give about 12 or so to the crank...this motor didnt have any accesories on it either which is how car makers rate thier horsepower. those mod alone arent worth it but using them with the rest of the mods then its worth it. with long tubes u have to change ur mid pipe...so figure another couple of hundred bucks. if it were me id wait to do that last after the rest of the easier and cheaper bolt ons. stock manifolds can support a good bit of power. a good time to do them is when u do a head swap or port ur stock heads. save on labor time and its easier with the heads off if u do it urself. i would do long tubes but spending 400 bucks for headers then another 400 for labor is hard to swallow for that low of power gain.

[TT_GT]

Header installs is very time consuming and can be a PITA for a but are well worth it. I don't normally let anyone work on my car but me and my buddies. However, having a heated garage and proper tools is paramount in your success. If you have a shop do it and you have the time, see if they will let you watch the install. You will learn alot. Good luck.

[Linktheworld]

So if I am not ready for a s/c, turbo, or nos just yet, what else can I add for some extra power.....I already have:

K&N cold air intake
Underdrive pulleys
75mm polished and ported t/b and plenum
Coil on plug kit with copper plugs
Ford racing alum driveshaft
ford racing 3.73 gears ( dont want to go higher already getting pretty bad 80mph gas milage)
Whatever I end up doing with my exhaust ( had stock with flowmasters out the back, now have x-pipe with NO cats with the same flowmasters out the back, but since I dont like the sound I think I am going back with an H-pipe of some type )
sct xcalibrator superchip


I am getting the brakes upgraded, upper and lower control arms are being shipped today, and eibach springs to lower it 1.5 inches.

I could spend 800 on the trickflow intake manifold plus 200 to install it, but from what I have heard the stock manifold is fine unless I get a s/c or turbo.


I think that is just about it for the bolt on power adders right? What else am I missing?

[my86gt]

trickflow intake for 800 bucks who you pricing on that?

[speedfreak87]

You can get them with out the N2), turbo or S/C. they aren't going to kill your performance. but you may feel the low end fall of a little.

[Linktheworld]

The trickflow intake....

www.ebay.com


search box copy and paste this number... 300130845847

[speedfreak87]

not a bad price.

[Linktheworld]

I dont know, after I get everything I already bought I am just going to save for a s/c or turbo. 10 HP here...20 HP there...5 HP here is getting old real quick.

[my86gt]

damn im glad i dont have 4.6

[Bulldog Stang]

The trickflow intake....

www.ebay.com


search box copy and paste this number... 300130845847



There is a new intake called the HKR (I think) that is awesome!!! For a few dollars more, you can have it ported and polished .. I believe my buddy paid like $825 for his with the p/p

[Linktheworld]

I tried searching for that HKR but didnt find anything. Do you have a link for it?

[Bulldog Stang]

I am going to call my buddy and find out ...


No Answer .. I left a message...