Opinions about headers

[GoBlue]

Do short vs. long tube headers make any difference? I just bought BBK short tube chrome headers because I have a MAC Pro-Chamber O/R H-Pipe for the factory replacement, and I wonder why they make two different kinds anyway. Does it matter what they are coated with? Isnt a header just a header, because they are just tubes. What makes aftermarket any differet than factory?

Thanks

 

[the98stang]

Do short vs. long tube headers make any difference? I just bought BBK short tube chrome headers because I have a MAC Pro-Chamber O/R H-Pipe for the factory replacement, and I wonder why they make two different kinds anyway. Does it matter what they are coated with? Isnt a header just a header, because they are just tubes. What makes aftermarket any differet than factory?

Thanks

If you can pass smog in your town with LT's, sell the shorties.

HP difference is quite substantial. Especially because both LT's and shorties are about the same price.

 

[Built98GT]

You will gain more with long tubes but as I have experienced if you ever have any throw out bearing problems or need to replace a clutch the labor will be a hell of alot more money with the long tubes. With the shorties the tranny can be pulled easy but with longtubes the motor will need to be dropped a little and the passenger side header will need to be taken off just to get the tranny out. save yourself some money in the long run and put the shorties on.

 

[WashburnGT]

Does it matter what they are coated with? Isnt a header just a header, because they are just tubes. What makes aftermarket any differet than factory?

Thanks

The only time it matters what they're coated with is when they have ceramic coating. That will help with heat build-up under in the engine compartment. It will also help protect the headers. I guess chrome would help protect the headers too.
The main difference between most factory "manifold" and aftermarket "Headers" is that the manifold typically uses one pipe with inlets from the cylinders. This tends to cause flow problems, therefore making your engine all congested and snuffy. Aftermarket headers typically have a pipe for each cylinder which then dumps into a collector. Therefore making your engine a little more free flowing.

 

[BooWFO]

Lt's you'll see better performance.
Shorties still easy to work on and can still use the stock midpipe. Some still get nice rwhp gains.


Also there is a some weight savings between shorties and the stock manifolds.

 

[the98stang]

Lt's you'll see better performance.
Shorties still easy to work on and can still use the stock midpipe. Some still get nice rwhp gains.


Also there is a some weight savings between shorties and the stock manifolds.

yea CA is gay so I can have shorties only. SC's have to have CARB stickers too

 

[steveb24]

there was just a thread w/ over 4 diff brands of l/t's that cleared trans/ clutch removal easily.

 

[GoBlue]

Thanks alot for the information, it is useful. I think I am going to stick with the shortys, but do you think it will really make a difference in HP gain?

 

[mustangkid05]

shorties = 5 hp - 8 i think?

 

[BlackenedSVT]

I believe the JBA shorties I have are dynoed 8rwhp. And more on power-added cars. But dont quote me on that

I admit I did not feel any difference after installing them but then again the ONLY mod that i felt the difference were the Gears....oh and the short throw

...I also got my JBA shorties for like $50 from a friend who put 5,000 miles on them. And i installed them myself, so who cars about the rwhp gains with that deal right!!