Short tube vs long tube?

impulse001 · Oct 3, 2009

I tried doing a search but didnt find much.. What is the difference between long and short tube headers? I found someone selling BBK Longtubes and an X-pipe but dont know if that will bolt up fine.. I have a Magnaflow exhaust..

skunk21 · Oct 3, 2009

The long tubes will gain more low, mid range and have a better tone to them vs shorties, I have jba shorties since my stock ones looked like crap but I know I didn't gain sqaut. The gains will depend on the mods done to the motor, a stock or mild motor will not see much vs motor with good flowing heads, intake and cam, boost etc. shorties are fine for a stock or mild motor IMO. When my next motor is done I will be getting LT's for sure either Kooks or JBA's and ditching the shorties at that point but keeping them until that happens right now it's just not worth it.

MeanMike · Oct 3, 2009

Actually dont you lose low end power but gain top mid to top end? I am pretty sure that's the way longtube's work. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

skunk21 · Oct 3, 2009

The longer the individual tubes the more scavenging occurs at lower speeds, this gives the long tubes a longer broader torque curve that starts at a lower rpm vs a shorty header which has less of a scavenging effect, this can actually be tuned in a set of headers for race car, etc( it gets more technical). shorties lend themselves to upper mid- higher rpms and less low end torque than the long tubes.

MeanMike · Oct 3, 2009

I guess I've alway's had it backward's.

Thank's

matador91 · Oct 3, 2009

What about Big Tube shortie headers. How do those compare? Like the ones found at AFM.

1991notchbackLX · Oct 3, 2009

Long tubes.

/thread

skunk21 · Oct 3, 2009

still the length of the tube has the effect on "wave tuning" or lack of it. the longer pipe favors lower rpm power and the shorter pipes favor higher rpm power. usually the pipe dia is related to the exhaust valve size, port size, cam specs, etc.

25thmustang · Oct 3, 2009

My family races 3 out of the 6 Mustangs we own...

Those 3 have long tubes, the 3 we dont race have stock headers.

90mustangGT · Oct 4, 2009

Longtubes outshine shorties about everywhere but they usually even out up top. Of course other factors are to be considered, such as runner diameter, and collector diameter as well as the length of the tubes. I know that the tri-Y headers are really good for torque.

The sound is definately different. Longtubes give it a quieter idle, but bark loud when you open up the throttle. Also has that echo effect. I can usually tell longtubes from shorties by the sound. If you want your car to sound mean, and not like ever other mustang longtubes are the way to go.

Kaseyinupt · Oct 4, 2009

MAC Equal length ceramic headers murder the the number 3 plug wire and make a pain out of changing plugs long tubes are the way to go

90mustangGT · Oct 4, 2009

Kaseyinupt said:
MAC Equal length ceramic headers murder the the number 3 plug wire and make a pain out of changing plugs long tubes are the way to go

Yeah, those equal lengths aren't worth the time and headache. If you get those you pretty much have to buy a universal ignition wire kit and get creative. Long tubes are a little akward to install but are not near as bad as some try to describe, but I have seen people get their butts kicked by a battery install before so your skill level has an effect.

DocG · Oct 5, 2009

Hmmm.....seems like LT's are something I need to upgrade to on mine one day.

Mustank · Oct 5, 2009

What else do you have done to the car? On a stock-ish engine, neither will make enough difference to really feel. They might even hurt performance in the bottom of the RPM range.

90mustangGT · Oct 5, 2009

Mustank said:
What else do you have done to the car? On a stock-ish engine, neither will make enough difference to really feel. They might even hurt performance in the bottom of the RPM range.

No, not really considering that the stock exhaust ports are so restrictive but it will help some.

skunk21 · Oct 5, 2009

you will get a slight gain on a stock motor, the real gains happen on a h/c/i. you would really kill the low end with too large of a dia. tube for the motor, with a stock or modified motor you would want a 1 5/8" ( unless the flow of the motor dictates a larger dia.)which is what most people purchase and that is fine.

impulse001 · Oct 5, 2009

I have the car stock right now; eventually I want to do h/c/i. I just installed a magnaflow exhaust, but don’t really like how low it is... I want it to be louder, so I figured installing header and x pipe will do the trick... Someone had told me if I ever plan on lowering the car to not get long tubes because they will be too close to the ground. In the future I don’t know if I am going to want to put an aftermarket suspension, which will lower the car by 1-2 inches, and want to keep that option open... Is there any truth to this?

skunk21 · Oct 5, 2009

impulse001 said:
I have the car stock right now; eventually I want to do h/c/i. I just installed a magnaflow exhaust, but don’t really like how low it is... I want it to be louder, so I figured installing header and x pipe will do the trick... Someone had told me if I ever plan on lowering the car to not get long tubes because they will be too close to the ground. In the future I don’t know if I am going to want to put an aftermarket suspension, which will lower the car by 1-2 inches, and want to keep that option open... Is there any truth to this?

yes with a drop of over 1" or in some cases even a 1" drop with spring settling with long tubes there is a very high chance they will scrape stuff like speed bumps, slightly steep angled drives/park lot entries, etc. The long tubes sit lower than shorties.

pic of long tubes and how they sit for reference..

25thmustang · Oct 5, 2009

Mine sit fine, and my stock H/C car loved them!

89stang1 · Oct 6, 2009

Long Tubes FTW!

Short tube vs long tube?

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Mustang Master

I felt sorry for girls because

New Member

I felt sorry for girls because

5th graders > me. They're not bant

I felt sorry for girls because

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

Mustang Master

Stroked and Juiced

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency