Header help please...

1bad04GT · Jun 23, 2006

im having trouble deciding which headers to go with. Its between bbk shorties, mac shorties, and mac equal-lengths. Which do you guys have and would you recommend them? Do the equal-lengths really make more power? Is ceramic coating a worthy investment? Im in west texas so rust isnt realy a concern. i plan on matching whatever i get with an o/r x-pipe if that makes any difference. any help is greatly appreciated...

BlackVert · Jun 23, 2006

sell the 04 and buy a 94? i sold my 96 and bought a 95 because of how expensive mod motor stuff was ...

there was an article in a recent edition of 5.0 mustang and super fords where they did a comparison of equal and unequal length headers. iirc, the differences were very minor.

if i were doing headers again, i'd do unequal length headers and i'd get ceramic coated ones to help keep the temps down in the engine compartment.

unequal lenght ones are easier to work around (think plugs and wires)

1TallMF · Jun 23, 2006

I'm with BlackVert, go unequal length, you'll thank yourself. The equal lengths are a major PITA to install and work around, and don't justify the minor gain you supposedly get from them. Plus you'll need to run SP boot protectors with the equal lengths in order to not melt wires. If I were to do them again (maybe next year) I'd go with BBK unequal length ones, I've only heard mostly good things about them. As for coating, its supposed to keep more heat inside the tubing and not in the engine compartment, but most people who have them say they get bloody hot anyways, so I don't know if paying nearly double for the coating is really worth it. But if you do go ceramic, make sure they are also coated on the inside, otherwise they will rust from the inside-out (or at least thats what I've been told).

edit: And if you do go with BBK, don't use the gaskets that come with them, they don't seem to last. Get a set of Felpro's and be done with it.

1bad04GT · Jun 23, 2006

wow, thanks guys. i think ill go with the bbk shorties then. i appreciate it!!! and yes, 425 a month plus 250 for insurance was killing me so the 04 had to go. this one is paid off and the modding can go down like no other

Black95GTS · Jun 23, 2006

1bad04GT said:
im having trouble deciding which headers to go with. Its between bbk shorties, mac shorties, and mac equal-lengths. Which do you guys have and would you recommend them? Do the equal-lengths really make more power? Is ceramic coating a worthy investment? Im in west texas so rust isnt realy a concern. i plan on matching whatever i get with an o/r x-pipe if that makes any difference. any help is greatly appreciated...

If there was one mod that I have that I REGRET its the 400 dollar shorty headers. The more I read, the more I feel that I should have just done it right the first time and gone with long tubes. The only thing I got was a better exhaust tone and a bunch of bruised knuckles.

Go with some long tubes and a matching X pipe. My two cents.

Adam

94-302-vert · Jun 26, 2006

Whaterver headers you get go with ones that have a single beefy flange on them. Mine are MACs (I think) and they have teh 4 flanges on them. I bought them used and had a heck of a time getting them on.... But rumor is once they are on you will get less gasket blowouts...

Green 94 5.0 · Jun 26, 2006

Black95GTS said:
If there was one mod that I have that I REGRET its the 400 dollar shorty headers. The more I read, the more I feel that I should have just done it right the first time and gone with long tubes. The only thing I got was a better exhaust tone and a bunch of bruised knuckles.

Go with some long tubes and a matching X pipe. My two cents.

Adam

i couldnt agree more. the 1-5/8" mac ceramic coated longtubes are about $100 more than the bbk ceramic coated unequal length shorties. that would be my suggestion if you are looking to maximize the power gain and are only looking to do it once. i bought the same bbk unequals and 3 years later spent the money all over again on the longtubes.

1bad04GT · Jun 26, 2006

money is definitely an issue though. If i did bbk shorties, and bbk o/r x-pipe, how much power could i expect to gain?

SeventyMach1 · Jun 26, 2006

I agree .... if you decide to go with shorties, get un-equal length's and get a single flange. My BBK's have a single thick flange & I couldn't ask for better quality.

sick_azz_cobra · Jun 26, 2006

i love my bbk full length, but i definately agree get the single flange.... good luck!

Black95GTS · Jun 26, 2006

1bad04GT said:
money is definitely an issue though. If i did bbk shorties, and bbk o/r x-pipe, how much power could i expect to gain?

You're going to get your power from the o/r X pipe. You might get 5 HP from the shorty headers, MAYBE. Learn from our mistakes... if you're hell bent on this, just get the o/r X and leave the stock headers until you are willing to spend the money on long tubes and a short x pipe.

You will definately notice just the o/r x pipe in the seat of your pants, I'll put money on that.

Adam

dstanggt50 · Jun 26, 2006

I never liked E/L's because of a plug wire burning problem I had on #3. I would recommend unequals or L?T's.

1bad04GT · Jun 26, 2006

ok guys, if i spend the $ on LTs could i just go with bbk LTs and no special coating? im in west texas so i dont think rust is an issue. if i can find some LTs for a reasonable proce i will get them. do bbk or mac fit better? which ones are better quality? i really appreciate your help guys

95ConvGT · Jun 26, 2006

what about the mac LT's are they good with a shortie mac off road H or X

Black95GTS · Jun 27, 2006

1bad04GT said:
ok guys, if i spend the $ on LTs could i just go with bbk LTs and no special coating? im in west texas so i dont think rust is an issue. if i can find some LTs for a reasonable proce i will get them. do bbk or mac fit better? which ones are better quality? i really appreciate your help guys

I don't think you would need a ceramic coating in that case.

As to BBK for MAC... both have horror stories and both have great results. For example, my MAC headers, BBK X, and flowmasters fit together perfectly like OEM pieces. You can find just as many dissenting opinions. Its sort of luck of the draw I gather. Bassani exhaust is notoriously pricey but also notorious for excellent fit and finish, but I have no personal experience.

Good luck!

1bad04GT · Jun 27, 2006

ok, i think ill go with mac LTs and a shorty x. ill just have to save a litle more! thanks guys. also, i know this is probably annoying but in stock trim with only a bbk cai, my car ran 14.9 @ 92. what will it run with LTs and an o/r x? how much power will i gain from these things?

94tang · Jun 28, 2006

I love my BBK shorties.......fit and finish was great...

Header help please...

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