Long tubes or equal lengths?

olyfiveoh · Jun 13, 2005

I want to get a set of headers and i am not sure of the differences between long tubes and equal lengths. How much more power do you gain with LT's? I would rather not buy another x-pipe to fit the LTS's as budget is a big concern. thanks

18mustangs · Jun 13, 2005

olyfiveoh said:
I want to get a set of headers and i am not sure of the differences between long tubes and equal lengths. How much more power do you gain with LT's? I would rather not buy another x-pipe to fit the LTS's as budget is a big concern. thanks

I've run both equal lengths and LTs, and I love my LTs! Equal lengths were a major pain when it came to tightening bolts, changing spark plugs, and you have to get the special plug wires with the angled boots so you don't burn them I don't have these problems with my long tubes, and I felt a lot more power and torque from the LTs than the equal length shorties. If budget is a problem I'd go with unequal length shorties as they make almost as much power as the equal lengths with none of the draw backs of the equal lengths and you don't have to buy a new h-pipe. Your decision to go LT or not should also be based on where you want to go with the car and how many mods you currently have.
--Tim

BaXTeR3221 · Jun 13, 2005

Equal lengths are a PITA. I would go with either unequal shorties or longtubes.

Deleted member 87397 · Jun 13, 2005

Is your car auto or manual? You can't run LT's on an auto without modification.

crazypete · Jun 13, 2005

Not true, MAC make automative longtubes: they put the o2 sensor bung on the opposite side so they face outward. For carbed homies, this is not an issue since you just plug the LT O2 sensor bungs anyways.

Saleen8786 · Jun 13, 2005

get the longtubes, it'll be louder and you'll be happy

olyfiveoh · Jun 14, 2005

my car is a 5-speed. im trying to find a good set of LT's on the trader. Is it a problem to get used ones?

nmcgrawj · Jun 14, 2005

Saleen8786 said:
get the longtubes, it'll be louder and you'll be happy

hmmmm not really. Idle is usually quieter with the note being deeper. WOT is usually a louder "scream".

Fishhawk · Jun 15, 2005

Don't know why everyone is trashing equal length headers. Mine slipped right in and were easy to bolt on. A lot easier then any long tubes I've put on other cars in the past. The Ford 9MM wires go on with no touching.

dstanggt50 · Jun 15, 2005

I had issues with my burning spark plug wires w/my mac equals on my 95gt, I actually switched to longtubes to avoid this, and I prefer the longtubes over the equals, great sound, no plug wire problems, if you can install it, I would say go for it.

JCVERT · Jun 15, 2005

Howz ground clearance with longtubes? Or is this a dumb question?

crazypete · Jun 15, 2005

No issues unless you are already slammed so much you bottom out as it is. Then you'll bottom out on the longtubes.

For wire burning, do this: Cut the boots off. Bend the wire hollow clippy part on the end 90 degrees. Coat the outside of the clippy part with black rtv. Done.

ramjetlx · Jun 15, 2005

Fishhawk said:
Don't know why everyone is trashing equal length headers. Mine slipped right in and were easy to bolt on. A lot easier then any long tubes I've put on other cars in the past. The Ford 9MM wires go on with no touching.

I have no problems with my BBK equals either. I just bent up the plug boots more to avoid burns. The cheaper headers are going to give you problems. You get what you pay for.......

StreetStang302 · Jun 15, 2005

Did the plugs come with the Equal Lengths for those who have them or had them?

5spd GT · Jun 15, 2005

On shorty vs. longtube headers. Longtubes will get a better midranging power over the shortys (so the pro is more power) but some forget to mention the cons of it which are buying a matching mid-pipe (more money and aren't able to use the stock mid-pipe) along with ground clearance issues (especially on a lower car) and also the difficulty of install is "stepped up" quite a bit when trying to get longtubes in. It also can cause heat-soak issues and steering column clearance/rubbing issues. The potential purchaser has to ask themself is the extra midrange worth it? Then you get your answer...

I have Equal Length Headers and don't see them being a pain. I also have the FMS 9mm wires and no problems at all on my daily driver.

My friend had longtubes on his 90 gt and he bout ripped them off on a speed bump (not lowered)...yes they hang low. You can actually see them underneath.

Longtubes are quieter as well as nmcgrawj stated...

StreetStang302 · Jun 15, 2005

5spd GT said:
I have Equal Length Headers and don't see them being a pain. I also have the FMS 9mm wires and no problems at all on my daily driver.

Did your equal lengths come with the wires? If not, where did you buy the wires and did you have to change your spark plugs to meet the requirments of the headers?

ill advised · Jun 15, 2005

5spd GT said:
On shorty vs. longtube headers. Longtubes will get a better midranging power over the shortys (so the pro is more power) but some forget to mention the cons of it which are buying a matching mid-pipe (more money and aren't able to use the stock mid-pipe) along with ground clearance issues (especially on a lower car) and also the difficulty of install is "stepped up" quite a bit when trying to get longtubes in. It also can cause heat-soak issues and steering column clearance/rubbing issues.

Pretty much correct on all counts (with things varying from person to person I'm sure). I've considered going back to shorties but since the modded Stang is no longer my daily driver I'll probably stick with the LTs. Nothing more annoying than wanting to run a couple errands on a nice day but having to worry about the car not wanting to start. this must not be a problem for everyone because I figured I'd see more complaints. Upgrading to a powermaster starter didn't help. I've considered taking them off and heat-wrapping them but what a PITA.

Obviously the angle of the pic makes a difference but you can clearly see how low the LTs hang. My car isn't very low at all but I still have to be careful.

5spd GT · Jun 15, 2005

StreetStang302 said:
Did your equal lengths come with the wires? If not, where did you buy the wires and did you have to change your spark plugs to meet the requirments of the headers?

I got the wires from here...

http://secure.50resto.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=409

I got the blue

I did have to have some indentions put in the header tubing in some areas to help with spark plug changing which I don't really think is that bad. Just a couple extensions/swivel combos and you have it.

Eventually (one day) I will go to longtubes but I have things I would rather spend my money on.

olyfiveoh · Jun 16, 2005

Thanks for all the help. i think im going to go with shorties. i already have an aftermarket x-pipe so id rather not change that out. also, this car is driven about 50 miles a day so the last thing i want is to have drivability issues. it only sees the track about 3-4 time a year so i guess im not too concerned getting as much power as possible.

StreetStang302 · Jun 16, 2005

5spd GT said:
I got the wires from here...

http://secure.50resto.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=409

I got the blue

I did have to have some indentions put in the header tubing in some areas to help with spark plug changing which I don't really think is that bad. Just a couple extensions/swivel combos and you have it.

Eventually (one day) I will go to longtubes but I have things I would rather spend my money on.

What size spark plugs did you switch over to? Did they come with the wire set?

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