• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Exhaust Equal length long tube headers...

  • Thread starter Thread starter geoklass
  • Start date Start date Jan 7, 2019

geoklass

Active Member
Sep 3, 2018
108
34
38
Monrovia, California
Jan 7, 2019
#1
  • Jan 7, 2019
  • #1

RCI equal length long tube headers. That's what they are called but the reality is that the primaries are not all the same length. Close maybe, but they are still not equal length. It is pretty much impossible to find room in a standard production vehicle (like a Mustang) to have all the tubes come out the same length. The four primaries start in different locations on the cylinder head, and have to end in a single location (the collector). And they have to miss various components (chassis, engine mounts, steering, etc.) along the way. If there were no collectors, making the primary tubes equal length would be easy, but if there were no collectors, there would be no way to create a full exhast system, with mufflers. Life is full of compromises.

The benefit of having all the tubes the same length is pretty much a myth. What we have found out on the engine dyno is that making all the primaries the same length doesn't give you enough difference in power to measure, particularly a vehicle with a full exhaust system. Most of the theories surrounding "tuned" headers are just that, theories. Shorter primaries tend to favor power ar higher RPM's and longer primaries favor power at mid range RPM's. If a mythical header (let's say one side of a V8 engine) had two shorter primaries that favored 7,000 RPM and two longer primaries that favored 5,000 RPM, what you would have are headers that are "tuned" for 6,000 RPM, or so the theories go.


A typical vintage Sprint Car with a big inch Small Block Chevy engine. A Sprint Car is a good measuring tool; Spint Cars are drag cars that have to turn at the end of the straight aways. As you can see, designing equal length headers on a Sprint Car would be very easy, there is really notrhing that would get in your way. Even so, most Sprint Cars have headers simular to the one above, with no thought about keeping the length of the primaries equal. Don't think they haven't tried equal length headers, they have. They just found on the track what we did on the dyno, which is it's not that big a deal in the howepower department. Camshaft specs, cylinder head and intake manifold designs are much more important when it comes to building an engine to favor more top end power versus more mid range power.
 
Reactions: Deleted member 215073 and General karthief
J

junkyardwarrior

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2011
400
113
63
Jan 10, 2019
#2
  • Jan 10, 2019
  • #2
George, how does collector rotational firing order change power curves, if any? Always heard of some builders like them at criss-cross, others rotational, hence the reason for asking.
 

geoklass

Active Member
Sep 3, 2018
108
34
38
Monrovia, California
Jan 10, 2019
#3
  • Jan 10, 2019
  • #3
It doesn't change the power curve, it just adds about 4 to 6 horsepower to the power level.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Exhaust 1 3/4” Long Tubes on a Fox Body AOD – Easiest route?
  • 5.0 Mike
  • Mar 19, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 21, 2025
5.0 Mike
S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
574
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 25, 2026
CAMTWO1070
Engine 1990 LX 5.0L EFI Mustang Fuel Management Problems - HELP!
  • 5.0LXStanger
  • May 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 11, 2025
5.0LXStanger
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
689
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
Noobz347
0
Engine Multiple o2 sensor codes, car runs terrible
  • 02newedge
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
5
Views
476
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 19, 2025
squeak93
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?