long tube or shorties?

[bigyet12]

I've gotten some mixed information on whether to use long tube headers or equal length shorties with an x-pipe. I heard that long tube headers give you more of an rpm range but at the same time I heard that if you use equal length shorties with an x-pipe you will have the same benefit plus some in certain rpm ranges that you wouldnt necessarily with long tubers. Any feedback?

 

[notchback]

just go w/ long tubes

 

[5spd GT]

Shorties: Rougly $150 bucks (more for ceramic?) with a $20 dollar gasket.

Or you can with longtubes to go .05 seconds faster for $359 ceramic coated BBK's, matching H pipe ($130), gasket ($20), o2 wire extensions ($30), starter heat sheild ($20). Less ground clearance and harder clutch installs.

What is worth it to you?

 

[webshot]

subscribing, I am interested in this too. Was about to ask this questions as well. I would also like to hear what people got to say about the various brands. Seems BBK is always on the forefront.

 

[25thmustang]

I spent $100 on used LTs, they fit fine, and the H-pipe is a lot easier to install...

I also went from 13.8 @ 98 with shorties and a catted H to a 13.0 @ 103 with LTs and a Prochamber, plus a set of pulleys!

Im a huge supporter of long tubes, where a lot of people say they arent worth much. Take what you read here, use it, and go out and buy what you like!

 

[D347643]

like stated before, getting your h pipe out is soooooooo much easier with longtubes, but getting them in can be a pita

 

[dkins419]

go with the longtubes

 

[wht93gtEd]

I spent $100 on used LTs, they fit fine, and the H-pipe is a lot easier to install...

I also went from 13.8 @ 98 with shorties and a catted H to a 13.0 @ 103 with LTs and a Prochamber, plus a set of pulleys!

Im a huge supporter of long tubes, where a lot of people say they arent worth much. Take what you read here, use it, and go out and buy what you like!

i think the Prochamber did more than the LT's......

besides, doing a clutch must suck. My prochamber hits speed bumps as it is, and my car's not even lowered yet.

 

[25thmustang]

It might have helped, but I was running a 2 1/2" H-pipe with high flow cats on it. The same size as the prochamber, and the cats might have hurt it some, but the combination of the headers and Prochamber made the car feel tons different. It gained down low, up top, all over, and was probably the biggest SOTP jump the car has seen!

Like I said, take what people say online as an opinion and then decide for yourself!

 

[5spd GT]

25thMustang - You dropped .8 tenths of a second by adding power? No different tires or suspension and did you learn a bit better driving in between times to the track. I have did that before...

A guy that went from shorties to longtubes gained .05 seconds. His dyno graph looked more promising than that...but the track didn't show much?

I'm going longtubes because I want new exhaust and my current hpipe is smashed in on one side (don't ask)

 

[bigyet12]

all this talk about h-pipes and nobody has mentioned x-pipes. which is better and why? or does it depend on what headers you are using?

 

[5spd GT]

If I'm not mistaken the H pipe makes a better average power. I believe it was tmoss and Ed Curtis who stated this...contrary to the X pipe theory being better...

I'm not exactly sure on why? Maybe because at the "X" the two sides meeting causes a disruption in smooth flow?

 

[LXSTASY]

Go with LT's and an x-pipe.
X-pipes dyno higher than H's at higher RPM ~1-2 hp. Not much but the sound of the x-pipe is what I love.

 

[5spd GT]

LXSTASY - Peak numbers aren't what get you there...it is the powerband as a whole I prefer H pipes in sound

 

[25thmustang]

I will say the first time after the swap the car went 13.21 @ 101, and then at a better track, 12.0 @ 103. Same tires, similar conditions and I doubt my driving improved all that much. I did change shift RPM, but the car pulled where it hadent before! Im just sharing what happened to me, whether it was a fluke or not I cant tell.