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

Header question--which brand?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CarFreakGT
  • Start date Start date Mar 10, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

CarFreakGT

20+ Year Stangneter
May 26, 2003
395
11
29
Louisville, KY
Mar 10, 2004
#1
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #1
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

New Member
Mar 8, 2003
1,277
1
0
Park Ridge NJ
Mar 10, 2004
#2
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #2
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

New Member
Jan 12, 2004
108
0
0
Williamston, South Carolina
Mar 10, 2004
#3
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #3
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

New Member
Feb 20, 2004
326
0
0
Ontario, Canada
Mar 10, 2004
#4
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #4
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
 
B

b1gp1mp1n247

New Member
Feb 19, 2004
159
0
0
Pittsbrugh, PA
Mar 10, 2004
#5
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #5
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

Member
Dec 15, 2003
166
0
17
in the sticks of arkansas
Mar 10, 2004
#6
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #6
ANYTHING BUT MAC. go with bbk longtubes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Mar 10, 2004
#7
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #7
FMS Shorties - Stainless steel, 1/4" thick one piece flange, excellent fit and quality.
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Mar 10, 2004
#8
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #8
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

Member
Apr 29, 2003
656
10
19
West L.A.
Mar 10, 2004
#9
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #9
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

New Member
Jan 30, 2004
71
0
0
Blackwood, NJ
Mar 10, 2004
#10
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #10
dvs bullet said:
After the gases travel throught the mufflers they cool causing the the gases to be less dense
Click to expand...

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

Member
Sep 13, 2003
649
1
19
Southern NJ
Mar 10, 2004
#11
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #11
When I get headers I'm getting the Ford Racing ones. I like the stainless steel.
 

87PonyBoyGT

New Member
Sep 5, 2003
24
0
0
north jersey
Mar 10, 2004
#12
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #12
dvs bullet said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
H

Highbredcloud

Active Member
Mar 4, 2003
1,075
1
36
Palos Hills, IL
Mar 10, 2004
#13
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #13
87PonyBoyGT said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

408stroker5.0

The world would be a better place if all males jus
Mar 10, 2004
639
0
16
Bonnyville, Alberta, CANADA
Mar 10, 2004
#14
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #14
Definetly go with some BBK Long or Short Tube Headers. Awesome quality, fit, looks, and they are priced quite reasonably.
 

willys1

Active Member
Dec 2, 2003
1,004
1
36
New Jersey
Mar 10, 2004
#15
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #15
I have FMS stainless unequal length,,didnt notice much sound difference,and had a loss of low end torque.Go with equal lenth
 

tvmango

New Member
Oct 27, 2003
667
0
0
bradenton florida
Mar 10, 2004
#16
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #16
go into the reviews area above and read away.. there is more info than you need in there....
http://reviews.stangnet.com/
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Mar 10, 2004
#17
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #17
I always liked the FMS JetHot coated headers.
 

ninety15.0

New Member
Mar 10, 2004
1,336
0
0
Mar 10, 2004
#18
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #18
Heres one more vote for the FMS shorties...i love em
 

bluevenom867

I will have images of molesting stuffed animals in
Dec 15, 2003
1,704
1
0
St.Petersburg,FL
Mar 10, 2004
#19
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #19
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

Founding Member
Jun 3, 2000
235
0
0
Philadelphia, PA
Mar 10, 2004
#20
  • Mar 10, 2004
  • #20
All Bassani stuff here. Fit and finish are awesome. Sound is great. Next time I will get coated headers though. Tom.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Need MIL Eliminators?
  • crazyone64
  • May 18, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
204
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech May 21, 2026
GOvert
G
J
Lost low end torque
  • JJ's90fox
  • Jun 12, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
839
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 5, 2025
Methodical
S
Engine Stalls when downshifting/coasting
  • Scott_S
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
789
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 6, 2025
Mustang5L5
D
Exhaust Bbk mid pipe and flowmaster catback fitment issues?
  • dqureshi06
  • Jun 8, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 15, 2024
dqureshi06
D
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
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 21, 2025
5.0 Mike
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?