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

long tube or shorties?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bigyet12
  • Start date Start date Sep 22, 2005
B

bigyet12

New Member
Sep 19, 2005
23
0
0
Sep 22, 2005
#1
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #1
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

Founding Member
May 30, 2000
1,950
0
36
St Clair Shores MI
Sep 22, 2005
#2
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #2
just go w/ long tubes
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Sep 22, 2005
#3
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #3
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?
 
W

webshot

Member
Sep 11, 2005
738
0
17
Yay Area, California
Sep 22, 2005
#4
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #4
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

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Sep 22, 2005
#5
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #5
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!
 
D

D347643

Banned
Jan 28, 2003
1,095
0
0
portland, OR
Sep 22, 2005
#6
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #6
like stated before, getting your h pipe out is soooooooo much easier with longtubes, but getting them in can be a pita
 

dkins419

New Member
Nov 14, 2004
187
0
0
Michigan
Sep 22, 2005
#7
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #7
go with the longtubes
 

wht93gtEd

Active Member
Nov 11, 2004
0
9
29
Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Sep 22, 2005
#8
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #8
25thmustang said:
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!
Click to expand...

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

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Sep 22, 2005
#9
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #9
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

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Sep 22, 2005
#10
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #10
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)
 
B

bigyet12

New Member
Sep 19, 2005
23
0
0
Sep 22, 2005
#11
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #11
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

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Sep 22, 2005
#12
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #12
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

Founding Member
Apr 25, 2000
932
0
0
Long Island, NY
Sep 22, 2005
#13
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #13
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

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Sep 22, 2005
#14
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #14
LXSTASY - Peak numbers aren't what get you there...it is the powerband as a whole I prefer H pipes in sound
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Sep 22, 2005
#15
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #15
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

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
N
WTB/Trade 1-3/4 Long tube or shorty headers for foxbody
  • nhlxpony
  • Jan 8, 2025
  • Exhaust Parts
Replies
4
Views
607
Exhaust Parts Jan 9, 2025
nhlxpony
N
S
Preparation for Holley Terminator X install – Foxbody 306 (electrical fan, alternator, MSD Ignition, etc)
  • So_Flo
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
Engine 1990 LX 5.0L EFI Mustang Fuel Management Problems - HELP!
  • 5.0LXStanger
  • May 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 11, 2025
5.0LXStanger
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
883
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
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?