Ok, I'm an idiot

[kb22stang]

I tried to search this question because I'm sure it's been asked before. But I couldn't find what I was looking for.

I've got a stock 89 5.0 LX Auto. I'm getting ready to add gears and exhaust. But with the exhaust I'm not sure what the best brands are and whether there is really a benefit to LT's versus shorties. Down the road plans are to add a head and intake kit.

For the guys that know, would I be better served with LT's, and O/R X or Shorties and the O/R X. Also, what are the best mid range(price) brands?

Thanks

 

[Fett]

As it goes, in order from worst to best:

Stock manifolds
Shorties
Equal length shorties
equal length LT

The only x-pipe I can NOT recommend would be the UPR. It is nice and all, I have one...but they simply don't fit well. They are longer than most, and if you use it as a stock replacement (as I did), it will push your mufflers back too far. Plus they hang down VERY low. I can go over a speedbump at 1mph, and they still touch. I have adjusted and adjusted again, I can not get them to sit higher. Sometime next week I will do some cutting and welding to get them to fit better....but a good brand x-pipe shouldn't need modifications to fit. IMHO.

 

[jrichker]

Avoid MAC exhaust products - fit & finish is sub standard. Avoid MAC headers or any header that uses mulitple flanges to bolt the hearder to the heds. They wrap when heated and if you ever take them off, they can be very difficult to re-install. The best headers have a one piece flange that all the tubes are welded to and that bolts onto the cylinder head.

Many long tube headers have interference problems with the steering shaft & are difficult to install. Some guys hammer the header tubes to gain clearance. Distorting the header tubes negates the reason to have aftermarket headers, since it messes up the flow.

 

[5spd GT]

BBK is a good mediocre brand. I would stick with shorties. Not much difference in power at all.

Shorties pro's outweigh the longtube pro's in my opinion.

I have had both.

I have had Mac and BBK products. BBK does seem to be a tick better. Mac is much better than they used to be, even in just the last few years.

 

[8950HO]

I`ve had Mac 1-5/8" unequal shorties on since 98.A lot of the coating has come off,but they`re still solid metal wise.
Took off the passenger side header 2 years ago.

It went back on with no problems.The bolt holes all lined up.

 

[kb22stang]

Thanks guys, from what I'm reading I'm thinking BBK equal length shorties with a BBK O/R X pipe. I had MAC on my 00 GT for a while and they rusted out quick.

 

[BadAndy]

I have a hooker supercomp shortie and love it, i have heard of only gaining maybe 10 hp going to long tubes

 

[04sleeper]

Thanks guys, from what I'm reading I'm thinking BBK equal length shorties with a BBK O/R X pipe. I had MAC on my 00 GT for a while and they rusted out quick.

I DO NOT reccomend equal length shorties.
Stick with the regular shorties.

If I was to put together the best combo it would be FRPP Ceramic shorties with a VRS stainless x-pipe.

I also strongly agree with jrichker.

 

[Mavrick]

Go LT's if you can handle the install (undo motor mounts, lift motor 3" or more, wrestle them in). Otherwise you want unequal length shorties, they will bolt right on without problems.

 

[kb22stang]

Go LT's if you can handle the install (undo motor mounts, lift motor 3" or more, wrestle them in). Otherwise you want unequal length shorties, they will bolt right on without problems.

On 12 sec car how much difference will LT's really make?