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

Recommend headers

  • Thread starter Thread starter kowalczyk86
  • Start date Start date Jan 11, 2011
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 11, 2011
#1
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #1
Recommend headers

I am sending back my chrome BBK Shorty headers that I got for my Bday in exchange for something else. Should I just get BBK shorty ceramic or look at a different brand?

I am sending back to Summit, so that is where I will have to but from..

H-pipe is stock..

I want to stay around $250-$350..

Should I go with longtubes instead? What is the benefit? How does the install compare/mods required if I go long opposed to short?

I just want to do it right the first time and not have any problems or leaks.

Holding off on the buy until I get some good feedback (much appreciated btw)..
 
8

83notcho

New Member
Dec 17, 2006
12
0
2
antioch il
Jan 11, 2011
#2
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #2
I would get the Ford Racing shorties.
 

Chasinpapa

Member
Apr 10, 2009
51
2
9
Piedmont, North Carolina
Jan 11, 2011
#3
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #3
^ +1. Get the Ceramic coated. Had mine four years, no leaks and they look brand new
 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!
Founding Member
May 17, 2000
2,277
35
69
C Addle
Jan 11, 2011
#4
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #4
Chasinpapa said:
^ +1. Get the Ceramic coated. Had mine four years, no leaks and they look brand new
Click to expand...

This.

I've been rocking FRPP headers since 99. Great product.
 

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 11, 2011
#5
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #5
These?

Ford Racing M-9430-P51 - Ford Racing Hi-Flow Shorty Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Any problems with the install? Any recommendations/things to watch out for during install? Anything else I need to buy accessory wise?
 
8

83notcho

New Member
Dec 17, 2006
12
0
2
antioch il
Jan 11, 2011
#6
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #6
Yep, those are it.
 

Flavadave4

Active Member
Nov 28, 2003
1,044
21
49
Utica, NY
Jan 11, 2011
#7
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #7
I have BBK ceramic coated shorties and am very pleased with them. Much better fit and finish than the MAC equal lengths i replaced.
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Jan 11, 2011
#8
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #8
Long tube headers are in every way superior performance-wise, but engine bay clearance, ground clearance, and removal/installation can be a concern.

Some may disagree with me, but I think equal length shorties are a waste of effort and money. The performance gain over standard shorties is moot, and if you want to make more power than a standard shorty can offer you should be looking at LTs anyway.

FWIW, my BBK equal length shorties have been nothing but a clearance nightmare, and I've experimented with different engine mounts and even shimming the mounts.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,015
1,612
194
NJ
Jan 11, 2011
#9
  • Jan 11, 2011
  • #9
Bassani equal lengths. Although i dont know if summit sells them.
 

ReefBlueHatch

Active Member
Jan 12, 2010
682
96
39
Central KY
Jan 12, 2011
#10
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #10
Do cars with stock H/C/I benefit from long tubes?
 

NIKwoaC

中國製造
15 Year Member
Oct 31, 2006
5,525
943
214
Chengdu Province
Jan 12, 2011
#11
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #11
ReefBlueHatch said:
Do cars with stock H/C/I benefit from long tubes?
Click to expand...

Probably, but it's not going to be near as much as a modified engine.
 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!
Founding Member
May 17, 2000
2,277
35
69
C Addle
Jan 12, 2011
#12
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #12
kowalczyk86 said:
These?

Ford Racing M-9430-P51 - Ford Racing Hi-Flow Shorty Headers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Any problems with the install? Any recommendations/things to watch out for during install? Anything else I need to buy accessory wise?
Click to expand...

Those are them. They are a direct bolt-in. The driver's side will probably take you less than 45 minutes. The passenger's side will probably take more like an hour and a half, since you have to get all of the intake/emissions piping out of the way. The only accessory I would recommend is a set of Stage 8 locking header bolts. They will never back off or loosen up.
 

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 12, 2011
#13
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #13
wythors said:
Those are them. They are a direct bolt-in. The driver's side will probably take you less than 45 minutes. The passenger's side will probably take more like an hour and a half, since you have to get all of the intake/emissions piping out of the way. The only accessory I would recommend is a set of Stage 8 locking header bolts. They will never back off or loosen up.
Click to expand...

Do you have a direct link for the header bolts somewhere? Anyone other recommendations anyone? Not sure if I said above, but I went with the Ford racing ceramic shorties. I am not sure I am in any position to go longtube.

The only mods will be:

BBK cold air intake, American Thunder Exhaust, Ford Racing headers

I have changed the IAC Valve, will do the O2 sensors when they come in Friday, gas cap, spark plugs, and radiator. Everything else is stock. Anyone have any other recommendations for me?
 

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 12, 2011
#14
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #14
I bought the header bolts. They were $55!!
 

robo

Member
Jan 2, 2004
132
0
16
cleveland ohio
Jan 12, 2011
#15
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #15
i've had a pair of those ford motorsport headers on my car since 1993. (back then they called it ford motorsport)

they have been great and still look decent.
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jan 12, 2011
#16
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #16
shorties are a waste of time and money unless your going to flip them around and connect them to a turbo
 

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 12, 2011
#17
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #17
90lxcoupe said:
shorties are a waste of time and money unless your going to flip them around and connect them to a turbo
Click to expand...

If they add HP, how are they a waste?
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Jan 12, 2011
#18
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #18
They don't really add much of anything to a stockish motor but sound. What are your other mods? I am sure we can find something in the 250-350 dollar budget that will net you better gains than headers. Unless you are pushing more than 300hp through the motor, the stockers are right at home. All in all, a full exhaust will net you a 2% gain in HP. From motor to tailpipes you can expect to pay about a grand on the cheap. For a grand, you are sure to find better bang for the buck than 2% more power. Long tubes are ideal as far as power but for a street car, they are a huge pain. The install is a pain, also consider your local smog laws if any. You will need a new mid-pipe for sure... Leave the long tubes for the classics and race cars. Speed bumps and pot holes will be your worse nightmare. Trust me, I have banged into more than a couple in my 70. Exhaust and cam should be one of the later mods you do. Both are perfectly suited for a slightly warmed over 5.0. If you are looking for underhood bling and noise, get the headers. Just my opinion on things. We will guide you whichever way you want to go. FMS unequal lenghts are the way to go. Either way, as we all have big plans for our stangs, I am sure it will be put to good use later on.
Kevin
 

kowalczyk86

Member
Apr 26, 2010
85
0
7
Jan 12, 2011
#19
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #19
Sicarius428 said:
They don't really add much of anything to a stockish motor but sound. What are your other mods? I am sure we can find something in the 250-350 dollar budget that will net you better gains than headers. Unless you are pushing more than 300hp through the motor, the stockers are right at home. All in all, a full exhaust will net you a 2% gain in HP. From motor to tailpipes you can expect to pay about a grand on the cheap. For a grand, you are sure to find better bang for the buck than 2% more power. Long tubes are ideal as far as power but for a street car, they are a huge pain. The install is a pain, also consider your local smog laws if any. You will need a new mid-pipe for sure... Leave the long tubes for the classics and race cars. Speed bumps and pot holes will be your worse nightmare. Trust me, I have banged into more than a couple in my 70. Exhaust and cam should be one of the later mods you do. Both are perfectly suited for a slightly warmed over 5.0. If you are looking for underhood bling and noise, get the headers. Just my opinion on things. We will guide you whichever way you want to go. FMS unequal lenghts are the way to go. Either way, as we all have big plans for our stangs, I am sure it will be put to good use later on.
Kevin
Click to expand...

Kevin,

Thanks for all the good info..

My mods:
American Thunder Cats
BBK Cold Air Intake
(Soon to be) Ford Racing Headers

What do you recommend for my next mods? Everything else is stock.

I am trying to do a little bit at a time.
 

ReefBlueHatch

Active Member
Jan 12, 2010
682
96
39
Central KY
Jan 12, 2011
#20
  • Jan 12, 2011
  • #20
NikwoaC said:
Probably, but it's not going to be near as much as a modified engine.
Click to expand...

I'm eventually going to do a TFS top end kit and was thinking about doing long tubes, but I was wondering if it would be worth doing them soon on my stock motor. Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

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
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
  • Locked
Engine Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
406
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 8, 2025
Noobz347
Might have to get a Dart block but don't want to and if I do, then 363 instead of 331. Thoughts on what I've already bought so far.......
  • from6to8
  • Jul 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
52
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 9, 2025
from6to8
S
Requesting Guidance for 306 motor swap - Fuel? - SD? MAF?
  • So_Flo
  • Jul 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
32
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 4, 2026
Mcmahst
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
3
Views
648
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
Noobz347
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?