Equal Length vs. Shorty headers

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red93fox

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#1

• Nov 22, 2004

• #1

are there any advantages/HP gains from equal length headers over shortys? im am going with the new edelbrock cast heads and i have an offroad-x and 2chamber flows for the rest of my exhaust. i need help to decide. oh ya also going with the crane 2040 with 1.6 rockers

 

5spd GT

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#2

• Nov 22, 2004

• #2

Well they are both referred to as "shorty" headers (or atleast what I have always noticed)...and the two more available ones are unequal length and equal length...the Equal Length cost a bit more but provide a better more consistent/even flow into the piping that follows...and might help you with another horsepower or two over the unequal lengths...

I have Equal Lengths by the way...

 

04sleeper

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#3

• Nov 22, 2004

• #3

The difference between the two is marginal. Different combos will produce difference results. Maybe a few HP.
I feel the lack of spark plug and wire clearence and ease of installation would rule out the equal lengths for me.

 

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red93fox

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#4

• Nov 22, 2004

• #4

think it's worth the extra like $40-$50 for the few extra HP? im not looking ot squeeze every amount of HP out of my engine. i think i'll be happy with the heads alone

 

04sleeper

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#5

• Nov 22, 2004

• #5

red93fox said:

think it's worth the extra like $40-$50 for the few extra HP? im not looking ot squeeze every amount of HP out of my engine. i think i'll be happy with the heads alone

Click to expand...

I don't think it is worth it due to routine plug changes and spark plug wire clearence. Also they are not as easy to install as the regular shorties.

 

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ss93cobra

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#6

• Nov 22, 2004

• #6

I've heard of people complain about the plugs on equal length headers before but for whatever dumb reason, I've had no issues with mine. Regardless, back to the question. About 6-8 months ago, 5.0 Mustang did a dyno test on the headers, (shorty equal, unequal, and long tube) and if memory serves me correctly, up until @ 3,000 rpm the unequal did the same compared to the equal length and then the equal length eventually began gaining horsepower on the unequal length. Does that help?

 

5spd GT

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#7

• Nov 22, 2004

• #7

ss93cobra said:

I've heard of people complain about the plugs on equal length headers before but for whatever dumb reason, I've had no issues with mine.

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Yeah...same here...

A couple extensions (3in/6in) and a swivel with the plug socket and I have no problems...I could see the spark plug wire clearance being a problem with "saggy" wires but nothing that some clips or zipties won't fix...but I have no problems with wires...

The hardest part about replacing the headers to me was just getting all the bolts loosened/tightened...actually sliding them into place wasn't hard for me?

 

jb89coupe

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#8

• Nov 22, 2004

• #8

I agree with these guys, I have no problems getting to my plugs w/ my mac equal lengths. Just an extension and a swivel as stated before.

 

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red93fox

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#9

• Nov 22, 2004

• #9

only reason i ask is because only the block, pistons, and other internals are there, but the whole top end is off. i'd just think this would be easier with everything apart. does anyone have anything NEGATIVE to say about equal lengths before i invest in them? any horror stories?

 

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ss93cobra

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#10

• Nov 22, 2004

• #10

Only negative comment that comes to mind is you may have to unbolt the a/c compressor to get the driver's side in like I had to do. Other than that, they look pretty darn good sitting in there!

 

04sleeper

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#11

• Nov 22, 2004

• #11

red93fox said:

only reason i ask is because only the block, pistons, and other internals are there, but the whole top end is off. i'd just think this would be easier with everything apart. does anyone have anything NEGATIVE to say about equal lengths before i invest in them? any horror stories?

Click to expand...

I have had a set of 1 5/8" Equal length MAC's and 1 1/2" Equal length MAC's and both of them were very close to the frame on the passenger side. They both didn't fit very well (Had to use a prybar to line up the bolt holes) The 1 5/8 were just about hitting the frame and I had to move my A/C line away so it didn't melt. (Which I have seen) and like I stated before, it is much easier to change plugs and keep wires cooler with regular shorties. I have never had them make any more power than the regular shortie on my combos so therefore I will never run them again. Not worth IMHO.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Not saying you will be unhappy but just letting you know my opinion in having dealt with many different types of headers over the last 15 years.

 

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red93fox

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#12

• Nov 22, 2004

• #12

my engine is lopsided right now dipping towards the passenger side, so unequals it is

 

TrickStang37

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#13

• Nov 22, 2004

• #13

from a dyno run boook I have, the unequal shorties made a little more on the low end and the very top end as well but the equal lengths won out on the mid range. basically its a wash. I had 1 5/8's equal lengths before, I wont run them again (traded them for a stock HPipe for smog). The ease of spark plug changes alone does it for me as well. it wasnt like it was impossible before, just that now I can use my bare hands now to thread them in all the way with no problems or contorting of my hand and i dont need an extension or a swivel. a lot less heat in the engine bay as well.

 

5spd GT

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#14

• Nov 22, 2004

• #14

TrickStang37 said:

a lot less heat in the engine bay as well.

Click to expand...

Why would that be?

The only complaint I have of the Equal Lengths is I had to use a prybar to get the holes to line up...but that was it...

Especially with the top-end off you will have a pretty easy job with it...

I didn't have to unbolt the a/c or anything...I just dropped them down in there...I can't see it being much harder than the unequal length install...

I wouldn't think plugs/wires/etc shouldn't be changed enough to warrant not getting the equal lengths...but in the end it is your choice...