Headers Long vs. Mid on FI Stang

[cooper58d2002]

I come home for a couple weeks after being away 9 months pop the hood of the Stang and the coolant level was totally empty. Needless to say the first thing that popped in my mind was the intake manifold and sure enough there was coolant in the valley so I ordered the new Trick Flow intake and 75mm throttle body so I can install it all in a couple months when I am back for a little longer. Well the more I think about it the more I think I need to maximize the parts I put on before I take it to the dyno so naturally I think headers. My only thing is I really can’t decide long tube or mid length, I have a tubular K-member already so I really am not worried about install. The clearance issues of long tubes concerns me and if I only get a couple more ponies out of it I would rather put the mid lengths in rather than cringe every time I go over a speed bump, but if theres a lot more power out of the long tubes then I am all for it. I have tried looking up comparison specs on long tube vs. mid length headers but I really can’t find anything about how much more power you get with forced induction. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Coop

 

[flstang65]

Personally, I would go with the long tubes. The ground clearance will be a bit of an issue, but if your car is lowered already, they you are used to driving cautiously around certain bumps. A few of my friends have them and have seen really nice gains from them and the sound is pretty sweet.

 

[MustangLife]

If you go over alot of speed bumps in your daily driving duties get midlengths. If speed bumps aren't an issue get long tubes. You'll be happy with both most likely. I have some deep speed bumps at my apartments and my x-pipe has already had hitting and loosening issues along with exhaust leaks cause of this. So Long Tubes to me are out of the question.

 

[97predator]

Long tubes. Just cross the speed bumps at an angle. Rubbin' is racing.

 

[tank_567]

i have mids and I picked up 20rwhp+ w/ off road h, just as much as long tubes. Plus I dont have to worry about speed bumps.

 

[Rickyll7]

Yeah, but I think most of that gain is from removing the cats... I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between long and mid lengths. Maybe 5hp... but that all depends on how much hp your making. There is probably no difference in hp if your only making 200 rwhp, maybe 5 at 350-400 rwhp, but could be a lot more if your at 600+ rwhp and may be worth the extra money and hastle. When I was N/A ~300rwhp, I switched from shorties to longtubes with no other changes and I couldn't feel the difference.

So if you want every last hp and don't think you'll hit them on speed bumps, etc., get the longtubes. If you want to save a few bucks and/or are worried about hitting them on stuff, just get some mid lengths.

 

[Blackone51]

I come home for a couple weeks after being away 9 months pop the hood of the Stang and the coolant level was totally empty. Needless to say the first thing that popped in my mind was the intake manifold and sure enough there was coolant in the valley so I ordered the new Trick Flow intake and 75mm throttle body so I can install it all in a couple months when I am back for a little longer. Well the more I think about it the more I think I need to maximize the parts I put on before I take it to the dyno so naturally I think headers. My only thing is I really can’t decide long tube or mid length, I have a tubular K-member already so I really am not worried about install. The clearance issues of long tubes concerns me and if I only get a couple more ponies out of it I would rather put the mid lengths in rather than cringe every time I go over a speed bump, but if theres a lot more power out of the long tubes then I am all for it. I have tried looking up comparison specs on long tube vs. mid length headers but I really can’t find anything about how much more power you get with forced induction. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Coop

Hey how many lbs of boost you running to get that 427 ponies?

 

[Midnight2V]

Sorry this post is slightly off topic -

I notice that you don't have a set of cams listed in your sig. For the price you pay for a set of headers and mid pipe plus install, you could buy and install a set of cams. As far as power production, I think you would be WAY better of going for cams than you would for headers. Especially in forced induction, not to mention the mods you already have. But that's just my two cents.

 

[Rickyll7]

Sorry this post is slightly off topic -

I notice that you don't have a set of cams listed in your sig. For the price you pay for a set of headers and mid pipe plus install, you could buy and install a set of cams. As far as power production, I think you would be WAY better of going for cams than you would for headers. Especially in forced induction, not to mention the mods you already have. But that's just my two cents.

 

[usaf_branham]

Kenne Bell did bolt on tests with the twin screw and in the higher horsepower cars, longtubes caused them to lose horsepower...

However, I have bbk lt's and a twin screw... i am very happy with the combo. My only complaint about the lt's is the install. Its a PITA! Good luck.

 

[Rickyll7]

Kenne Bell did bolt on tests with the twin screw and in the higher horsepower cars, longtubes caused them to lose horsepower...

However, I have bbk lt's and a twin screw... i am very happy with the combo. My only complaint about the lt's is the install. Its a PITA! Good luck.

Do you have a link to those test results? I'm interested in reading up on that.

 

[cooper58d2002]

Hey how many lbs of boost you running to get that 427 ponies?

I'm running a 3.60 pulley and the dial reads 12 @ full boost, but that's with the stock everything minus some minor fuel upgrades i.e. pump, injectors, and a 90mm MAF. I am thinking it may go down a pound or two when i free up the induction and exhaust. I think most of the power was had from the tune. It cost me an assload of money for that tune but it was worth it in the end. I have been running that tune on and off for years now and have had zero issues.

 

[cooper58d2002]

Thanks all, the more i look at it the more i think mid lengths are the way to go just for the simple fact that I drive my car to work all the time and their always putting a speed bump in the most random spot imaginable, and their always so dam high that my F-150 will scrape Lol. I just havent been able to find anything that proves the longtubes make more power than midlengths on a forced induction engine for me to justify the risk. Now the question for me is do i waste the money for ceramic coating?