Header question--which brand?

[CarFreakGT]

Hey guys...appreciate any feedback on this. I've finally convinced my wife that the beloved 5.0 needs an exhaust upgrade. The car is a stock 89 GT. I've already installed new Flowmaster after-cats and I'm considering FRPP or Dynomax headers--whichever I get will be ceramic coated. Does anyone have any feedback RE: either one? Or any others to consider? And, for future reference, any suggestions on h-pipes (brand)? The h-pipe will have to come in 2-3 months. Will both of these bolt up readily to the stock h-pipe? I believe they will, but I just want to verify before I get started. Will I need to raise the engine to install? I am planning to allow a weekend for the installation. Any feedback, comments, or ideas are welcome--THANKS!

 

[Starscream88]

Get anything but MAC

There CRAP, IMO in everything they make!
You get what you pay for, Go for the best you can afford,

Personally If I had my choise again, Id go FRPP.
I like buying Ford Parts, After all, They designed the engine

 

[FOOT2DFLOOR]

Yeah I agree with starscream88 FRPP did design the motor and probly knows whats best, but I bought a pair of Headman longtubes with a 3'' collector and ive been happy with them except I wish I had bought ceramic ones too. Cause they have turn nasty lookin and i gotta take them off and get them coated of painted. A ugly header really kills the apperance of your engine compartment.

 

[dvs bullet]

I have Mac headers on mine, they work well. As for fit wise everything should bolt up the same, the exhuast jigs are usually pretty good. If you are worried about emissions than go with a two cat hpipe. Make the hpipe 2 1/2 inch, it will give a nice deep sound. Hopefully the back half of the exhaust is 2 1/4, bigger is not always better. After the gases travel throught the mufflers they lose there volocity, a smaller tail pipe helps keep up the exhausts volocity. With cars that are not overly modified, larger exhaust can make them slower.Also stick with an hpipe, don't go to an x. An h will give more torque which you want on the street, and x's are more better suited for higher rpm cars. As for brand of Hpipe, take your pick they all are pretty good. good luck

 

[b1gp1mp1n247]

I got BBK headers on mine. Love them, if u get shorty headers they will bolt up to stock h-pipe fine. long tubes are another story. stick with shorty equal lengths anyway on ur stock setup. if u go with bbk get the matching bbk x-pipe later on when your ready. and as for header gaskets, get fel-pro copper wire gaskets and save yourself the hassle of having to change the gaskets again in a year!

 

[whitemustang89]

ANYTHING BUT MAC. go with bbk longtubes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jrichker]

FMS Shorties - Stainless steel, 1/4" thick one piece flange, excellent fit and quality.

 

[Sicarius428]

BBK shorties equal or unequal length are great. If you do get headers. At least get ceramic coated but try to get the Jet coated if you can afford them. You want your headers to last more than 5 years.
Kevin

 

[ill advised]

I'll give another nod for the FMS ceramic shorties. Ran them for 8 years and they were still in great shape when I pulled them in favor of the bbk lt's.

 

[GMstomper]

After the gases travel throught the mufflers they cool causing the the gases to be less dense

You obviously know absolutely nothing about science...cooler air is more dense!!! Why do you think we always want our engines sucking in cooler air??

From personal experience I say stay away from MAC exhaust...especially the LT's. Mine will be coming off once I have the spair change.

 

[larrendeuce]

When I get headers I'm getting the Ford Racing ones. I like the stainless steel.

 

[87PonyBoyGT]

Also stick with an hpipe, don't go to an x. An h will give more torque which you want on the street, and x's are more better suited for higher rpm cars. As for brand of Hpipe, take your pick they all are pretty good. good luck

is this true about the h and x pipes? I have an 87 5.0 with an o/r h pipe and bought an x pipe thinking it will give me better performance. My stang is stock except for the exhaust and its my daily driver. if its true what bullet said i wont even bother installing it.

 

[Highbredcloud]

is this true about the h and x pipes? I have an 87 5.0 with an o/r h pipe and bought an x pipe thinking it will give me better performance. My stang is stock except for the exhaust and its my daily driver. if its true what bullet said i wont even bother installing it.

I had them both on a stock mustang and I couldn't tell the difference...X just sounds so much better though...

 

[408stroker5.0]

Definetly go with some BBK Long or Short Tube Headers. Awesome quality, fit, looks, and they are priced quite reasonably.

 

[willys1]

I have FMS stainless unequal length,,didnt notice much sound difference,and had a loss of low end torque.Go with equal lenth

 

[tvmango]

go into the reviews area above and read away.. there is more info than you need in there....
http://reviews.stangnet.com/

 

[89MustangGX]

I always liked the FMS JetHot coated headers.

 

[ninety15.0]

Heres one more vote for the FMS shorties...i love em

 

[bluevenom867]

BBK Long tubes are nice,so are the hooker long tubes becuase they got the 3" collector.As for x or h pipe can't help ya there,but were gonna try run a strait pipe w/ no mufflers to the tail pipes.If it's to loud I'll put my Flowmasters back on.

 

[TOM89LX50]

All Bassani stuff here. Fit and finish are awesome. Sound is great. Next time I will get coated headers though. Tom.