full length or shorties?

85_SS_302_Coupe · Sep 3, 2006

JChalfan said:
Equal lengths are notorious for burning through plug wires. If you ever get tired of it, a set of regular shorties will fix that problem without having to go to longtubes.

Jeff

Heat sleeves for the plug boots are another alternative. Also, don't buy cheap wires...good quality wires can take some heat. It also has to do with how tightly your plug wires clamp to the plugs...that way you can turn them to where they're coming straight out between the header pipes, instead of laying down on them. Get some good wire looms (or get creative with some zip ties) and you won't have to worry about EL's burning up your wires.

5spd GT · Sep 3, 2006

If you are looking for every last little bit...go longtube headers.

After all, I would install some ARP 3/8" studs instead of 7/16" studs. Lighter weight...LOL. Some people think like this...

Longtubes make clutch installs more difficult. It isn't about "during" the install...it is the reprocussions afterwards...

postalbunny · Sep 3, 2006

Just got my long tubes installed... didn't notice any big power gains from my old stock exhaust. Motor is all stock, but i also installed high flow cats and the old exhaust had them removed. If i had to do it again i'd probably just get the shorties, as installing the lt by myself was a PAIN.

Also, the spintech pro streets seem quiet at idle... buts ound kick ass nice at 4-5000rpm.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Sep 3, 2006

postalbunny said:
Just got my long tubes installed... didn't notice any big power gains from my old stock exhaust. Motor is all stock, but i also installed high flow cats and the old exhaust had them removed. If i had to do it again i'd probably just get the shorties, as installing the lt by myself was a PAIN.

Also, the spintech pro streets seem quiet at idle... buts ound kick ass nice at 4-5000rpm.

There's why you didn't see any gains. People expect too much from just a simple header swap. Get an H/C/I setup, or better yet get all that AND a stroker, and then put your stock manifolds back on that engine setup for a month, and THEN switch to full lengths and you'll see where your money went.

5spd GT · Sep 3, 2006

85SS - You still will not see "huge" gains even with h/c/i or a stroker if you have the same size primaries...and comparable collectors.

The difference is minimal.

25thMustang gained a lot with his longtubes. Some have gained lots with shorties.

N8Miller · Sep 3, 2006

do it once, do it right.

long tube headers. 1 5/8 primaries (larger if you plan on a built motor) and do a 2.5" exhaust all the way back.

when everyone is throwing input in, how many people have actully had BOTH on their cars? changed them both THEMSELFS? I am not busting anyones balls either, but it just seems like some people type in replies and never did the work or only had 1 type of header.

did both: pickup more TQ than anything, much more "snappy" with the longtubes on. no dyno results. also swapped to an X pipe over the H when i did the longtubes.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Sep 3, 2006

N8Miller said:
do it once, do it right.

long tube headers. 1 5/8 primaries (larger if you plan on a built motor) and do a 2.5" exhaust all the way back.

when everyone is throwing input in, how many people have actully had BOTH on their cars? changed them both THEMSELFS? I am not busting anyones balls either, but it just seems like some people type in replies and never did the work or only had 1 type of header.

did both: pickup more TQ than anything, much more "snappy" with the longtubes on. no dyno results. also swapped to an X pipe over the H when i did the longtubes.

My first install was aftermarket shorties....after that i started doing them for friends and i think i've done at least a dozen since then. I did my full lengths myself as well, also helped a friend install his. Like i said...just unbolt the motor mounts, remove the steering shaft and they go right in. You have to snake them around a little but it's not a big deal. Seriously, if this is one of the hardest things to work on for some people then they won't make very good mechanics to work on their own cars. The hardest part for me is having a PLACE to work on my car....half the time i'm on jack stands in the parking lot of my apartments and that blows.

N8Miller · Sep 3, 2006

85ss: Its nice to get some input from people who have done it.

yeah, i agree, i would work on my car more often if i only had a damn lift in my garage

5spd GT · Sep 3, 2006

I have installed both shorties and longtubes on my car. Both 1 5/8 inch.

No noticeable difference.

I have also installed them on other cars.

I have had both on my car, used H pipe on both (old one even had a big dent in it), and on same h/c/i.

willys1 · Sep 3, 2006

LT's cause exsessive heat in the engine compartment.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Sep 3, 2006

willys1 said:
LT's cause exsessive heat in the engine compartment.

Now that's one con for full lengths that i'll agree with, although it's not a huge margin. My car for some reason has always ran hot, even when i got it and it had stock manifolds on it. It runs a little hotter now but after putting an Autozone fan on it, it usually hovers around the half mark on the temp unless i'm racing, but pretty much all cars get hot when you're at the track.

MadDAWG_zr2 · Sep 4, 2006

Collector design plays a big part in how well long tubes work. There was a dyno test between unequal, equal, 1-5/8 LT and 1-3/4 LTs all from BBK. The equal length shorties and 1-5/8 LTs made real simuliar power. The 1-3/4 LTs made a little more. All (4) styles had the factor style collector at 2-1/2 dia. At the end of the same test the bolted on a set of LTs with the old school 3" 3 bolt collector and gained a bunch of power. So IMO if your going with the factory stlye collector you might as well go with shorties.

Also I had a set of equal length BBK shorties on my 95 stang and they installed pretty well and the only plug wire problems I had were with the EGR tube setup of an sn95.

red95gtconvert · Sep 4, 2006

It was my understanding that longtubes were hard on starters also.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Sep 4, 2006

red95gtconvert said:
It was my understanding that longtubes were hard on starters also.

Can be true.....HP is hard on torque boxes too but..if you wanna play hard you have to compromise somewhere

MTLBLKNOTCH · Sep 4, 2006

Full Length 100% but I would go with the BBK ceramic coated as they are an awsome set that look awsome for some time after the install. Just be sure to clean them off before starting the car as the oil from your hand will burn into the finish if you don't.

Sean

04sleeper · Sep 4, 2006

I would have to go with Shorties.

Having owned 5 Fox bodies and worked on many others, I would say stay away from LT's if your car is a street car. Too many negatives and not enough positives.

5spd GT · Sep 4, 2006

04sleeper said:
I would have to go with Shorties.

Having owned 5 Fox bodies and worked on many others, I would say stay away from LT's if your car is a street car. Too many negatives and not enough positives.

I'd listen to Kevin on this one...

stykthyn · Aug 19, 2007

I have had LT's on two other vehicles that were street cars, what makes them so bad for mustangs?

juiced_94gt · Aug 19, 2007

LT's all the way, i just put them on my 94 (haeder install from what i hear) and it was a piece of cake, i mean come on motor mounts, it's ONE nut per side if you cant do that then why even do your own tune-up?? plus the exhaust will sound NOTHING like it did with the shorties trust me you will love them and still have plenty of ground clearence, you will scrape nothing believe me.

1Fine89stang · Aug 20, 2007

I second that , i have LT's and i love them. I'm getting ready to swap out my flow super 40's for dyno max racebullets.

full length or shorties?

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