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

Horsepower Q?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MylittlePWNY351
  • Start date Start date Sep 26, 2011
M

MylittlePWNY351

New Member
Sep 26, 2011
6
0
0
Sep 26, 2011
#1
  • Sep 26, 2011
  • #1
I've heard from several different sources that when building an engine that has a lot of horsepower you need to use long tube headers. my question is where is the stopping point for short tubes and the beggining of long tubes. My plans for my engine are somewhere around 500 hp any insight on this topic?
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,548
21,715
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 26, 2011
#2
  • Sep 26, 2011
  • #2
There's really no such thing as a stop point. You will virtually ALWAYS make more power with a correctly sized set of long tubes.

It's not as much a matter of ability to flow as it is the ability of the exhaust system to extract (scavenge) spent/lazy gasses from the exhaust ports of your heads (and cylinders beyond that).

There's a bit more to exhaust than just that but that is the BIG advantage of long tube headers. Those gasses gain velocity down the tubes and the venturi creates a vacuum that pulls other spent gasses with it.

Like anything, long tubes can be incorrectly sized for an engine combo just like shorties. The trick is to find a complete exhaust system that appropriately sized for your application.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Ford 460 swap
  • Ford460
  • Sep 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
469
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 14, 2026
Ford460
F
New Exhaust for 408w stroker
  • SadbutTrue
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
158
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Sep 10, 2026
nickyb
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
M
  • Locked
2001 evap core tube support
  • mnky99
  • Sep 4, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
445
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
A
Resolved 302 oil leak when running
  • AlexM556
  • Sep 8, 2026
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
  • 2
Replies
36
Views
1K
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Nov 1, 2026
manicmechanic007
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?