Header tube size?

[Klunky]

Current combo includes Edelbrock intake, FTI cam, AFR 165 heads, etc. With Mac 1 5/8 shorties, offroad H-pipe and 2.5 inch exhaust all the way back(Terminator mufflers).
Are those headers choking my motor? Would it be beneficial to move up to 1 3/4 tube headers or even long tubes? I also plan on running a 75-125 shot of nitrous sometimes. What do you think? I'm not going to spend several hundred bucks for just a few horsepower...but maybe if the gain would be big enough I'd consider it. Thanks.

 

[stealthracing]

i used to use 1 5/8 shorty headers, i then went to 1 3/4 long tubes with all the mods including big cam, heads with porting and n2o. the 1 3/4 worked really well to help get 590ftlb at the wheel. the just too some work to install them. i had the bbk ones, they did not fit well, i installed them while i had the motor out and that seems to be tho only way to install them. i also had to hammer out the firewall a little on the passenger side to clear the header tube. there are many other brands out there that might fit a little better, but i dont know how well they install. a buddy of mine uses the hooker long tubes, but they are 1 5/8. i would use the 1 3/4, but remember the factory didn't ever consider putting in exhaust that size.

 

[perkys stang]

I would conside a step longtube.. 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 would work great..

 

[Klunky]

I would conside a step longtube.. 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 would work great..

I didn't even realize something like that was available. Sounds like a good compromise. What companies make the step longtube like you mention?

 

[perkys stang]

I didn't even realize something like that was available. Sounds like a good compromise. What companies make the step longtube like you mention?

Kooks and BAssani.. Not sure on others..

 

[BillaMustang]

hi, i'm running the bassani 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 stepped headers on my 331 carbed mustang. they are an excellent header. i am also using their x-pipe setup. it may be a little pricey,but you get what you pay for.

331 carbed fti solid cam afr-185 heads bassani headers/x-pipe tremec. daily driven street bruiser. all motor.
11.43/123.4mph 1.59 60ft with et drags 12-28-15 jerkin the wheels up 18 inches!

 

[dude5l]

Personally I don't think the 1 5/8 headers are holding you back any. I wouldn't spend the extra money to not gain any horsepower, and maybe even lose some torque on the low end. Wait until your engine gets more radical before you spend the $$.