Shorties or Longtubes?

Killer50stang · May 25, 2005

I've always used the Shorty unequal headers, but never quite knew the difference on the longtubes other than they are longer...lol. Any hp difference? I would assume sound would change.

slowhatch82 · May 25, 2005

i use equal length shorty headers, and like them

#1 because of clearance issues with longtubes
#2 I like the way they sound
#3 I like the way they look

longtubes sound good and flow well, but are a pain in the ass to put on from what i understand!

i think for your combo though, longtubes would work real well!

Jason5.0 · May 25, 2005

I have long tubes on my car, i installed them when i had the motor out so i have no clue how hard they are to install while the engine is still in the car, i have no clearance issues with my flowtech long tubes and they dont require you to remove the steering shaft like most other brands do. there is a huge sotp difference between long tubes and shortys, but it doesnt show all that much at the track from what ive seen, longtubes also sound awesome because the collector is in a different spot so it has more rumble to it in and out of the car and alot less drone ive noticed..

btw could you please email me some pics of your car? thats exactly what i want to do to my engine a lil down the road, already run a carb and stuff, but really wanna do the holley 174 blower kit. thanks
paintballwinner9@aol.com

N8Miller · May 25, 2005

slowhatch82 said:
i use equal length shorty headers, and like them

#1 because of clearance issues with longtubes
#2 I like the way they sound
#3 I like the way they look

most of the issues in #1 are just by brand! my BBKs are NO lower than my shortie setup.
you like the way shorties look more than long tubes? from the engine bay you can really only see tubes......

5spd GT · May 25, 2005

With shorty vs. longtube headers. Longtubes will get a better midranging power over the shortys (so the pro is more power) but some cons 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 will upgrade to longtubes if I ever rebuild the engine to a stroker...but right now I could spend my money elsewhere...

Killer50stang · May 25, 2005

5spd GT said:
With shorty vs. longtube headers. Longtubes will get a better midranging power over the shortys (so the pro is more power) but some cons 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 will upgrade to longtubes if I ever rebuild the engine to a stroker...but right now I could spend my money elsewhere...

Well obviously, I'm far from stock, so a stock crappy H-pipe is out of the question. However, I would have to change my x-pipe out. Right now I have bbk shorty's and bbk off road x-pipe. Does bbk make one for long tube?

Killer50stang · May 25, 2005

Jason5.0 said:
I have long tubes on my car, i installed them when i had the motor out so i have no clue how hard they are to install while the engine is still in the car, i have no clearance issues with my flowtech long tubes and they dont require you to remove the steering shaft like most other brands do. there is a huge sotp difference between long tubes and shortys, but it doesnt show all that much at the track from what ive seen, longtubes also sound awesome because the collector is in a different spot so it has more rumble to it in and out of the car and alot less drone ive noticed..

btw could you please email me some pics of your car? thats exactly what i want to do to my engine a lil down the road, already run a carb and stuff, but really wanna do the holley 174 blower kit. thanks
paintballwinner9@aol.com

Here's a link I've posted on here. I hate my hood, but hopefully get the 4" cowl I want. This blower is awesome, but You'll run into some issue I had. Read up here:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=537510

tom23 · May 25, 2005

Killer50stang said:
Well obviously, I'm far from stock, so a stock crappy H-pipe is out of the question. However, I would have to change my x-pipe out. Right now I have bbk shorty's and bbk off road x-pipe. Does bbk make one for long tube?

Yes BBK makes a short h-pipe for LTs, but not a x-pipe.

Grn92LX · May 25, 2005

BBK does make an X pipe for their longtubes. My friend Mike had one on his car with cermaic bbk 1 5/8" longtubes. Only problem with bbk is they don't make a 3" mid pipe for their headers and the collector is tiny.

The Fox · May 25, 2005

I got the BBK Longs and a BBK X. No probs whatsoever. Takes maybe 3 hours to do the install with no experience. Can't do it with an auto trans. Some say to get a mini starter so it doesn't overheat from the headers. Just remove your dipstick, spark plugs, steering shaft?, i think that's all. I've got a carburetor so I don't know if the upper plenum has clearance issues, or the airbox/CAI.

GET THE LONGTUBES. I think for my ENTIRE exhaust from headers to tailpipes it cost maybe 600? BBK is great stuff IMO.

Anthony

Allforspeed · May 25, 2005

i recently saw a dyno sheet that only showed like a 8 hp difference between shorties and long tube on a blower car that was nearly 500 RWHP, it seems like they make more power over the whole rpm range but not a whole lot more peak HP, if you need to worry about smog then technically there are no smog legal long tubes unless the H pipe has four cats on it, i have heard nightmares about people bottoming out on there long tubes also and in the city i live in i can afford to take no chances on ground clearance, and they are bitch to install, i had some recently and decided to sell them because i decided the extra 10 Hp for around 400$ bucks wasn't that great, long tubes seem to be the end all of exhaust they certainly have downsides.

5spd GT · May 25, 2005

Killer50stang said:
Well obviously, I'm far from stock, so a stock crappy H-pipe is out of the question. However, I would have to change my x-pipe out. Right now I have bbk shorty's and bbk off road x-pipe. Does bbk make one for long tube?

Yeah I know...but I was posting cons for it for others that might read it...so they know.

I'll spend my money elsewhere right now because I have equal length shorties...

IMO BBK does have good stuff for the price...they flow nicely.

emagdnim · May 25, 2005

5spd GT said:
Yeah I know...but I was posting cons for it for others that might read it...so they know.

I'll spend my money elsewhere right now because I have equal length shorties...

IMO BBK does have good stuff for the price...they flow nicely.

I have installed and removed long tubes on my car and damn is it a pain in the ass!! I learned my lessen and i will be purchasing a good pair nothing cheap this time that will rust out over time. Dont go with flowtech they will only last 4 years or so then burn out...

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