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Shorty header and dip stick issue?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zinc 01 GT
  • Start date Start date Dec 18, 2007
Z

Zinc 01 GT

New Member
Jul 2, 2001
52
0
0
FT. Bragg NC
Dec 18, 2007
#1
  • Dec 18, 2007
  • #1
Iv raninto issue after issue installing a set of BBK shorty headers. First the passenger side exaust manifold blot was fronzen on, torch didnt work, WD didnt work so I ended up taking the grinder to it. Then there was a stud stuck in the head that I had to get out. Now Im having to re rout the dip stick through a tiny hole in the headers lol. What a PITA this is for a few xtra horses. Oh welltolate to turn back now.
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Dec 18, 2007
#2
  • Dec 18, 2007
  • #2
Zinc 01 GT said:
Iv raninto issue after issue installing a set of BBK shorty headers. First the passenger side exaust manifold blot was fronzen on, torch didnt work, WD didnt work so I ended up taking the grinder to it. Then there was a stud stuck in the head that I had to get out. Now Im having to re rout the dip stick through a tiny hole in the headers lol. What a PITA this is for a few xtra horses. Oh welltolate to turn back now.
Click to expand...

The first thing you should of done is save your money for something else besides the shorty headers. Your stock ones do just fine.
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
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39
Richmond, Va
Dec 18, 2007
#3
  • Dec 18, 2007
  • #3
Longtubes would have been a better option. Shortys will get you 3-5 rwhp over stock manifolds.
 
4

40oz

Member
Jan 9, 2006
499
3
18
Minneapolis
Dec 18, 2007
#4
  • Dec 18, 2007
  • #4
what do shorties weigh compared to stock manifolds?

And I would happily gain a little more power up top compared to stock even if the dyno only showed a peak gain of a handful of hp. It's area under the curve that's important anyway. I've done breathing mods on other cars that had a noticeable and beneficial effect up top that showed almost nothing on peak numbers. The change in the engine's response at the upper end (and the resulting change in the way it felt to drive) easily made it worth it, even if on paper it didn't look like it helped.

I'm asking, to be clear. Some of us don't have the option of long tubes for a variety of reasons. If it came down to long tubes or nothing it would have to be nothing. Shorties are an option that would work for me, even if it was only to shave some weight off the front.
 
Z

Zinc 01 GT

New Member
Jul 2, 2001
52
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0
FT. Bragg NC
Dec 18, 2007
#5
  • Dec 18, 2007
  • #5
I got all my stuff while i was deployed to Iraq , I didnt go with long tubes for clearnace issues also I already had my Bassanie X pipe and borla xaust.. Now I gotta find out what im going to do about my dip stick lol thanks for the comments
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Dec 19, 2007
#6
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #6
If people are going with the idea of using shorty headers over stock ones for weight savings, you are looking in the wrong direction. The cost and money to install those is too much for little weight savings. The LT's will pick up more power than shorty's throughout the powerband. If you want to save weight, take it out where it doesn't cost you hp(i.e k member, interior, body, etc). You don't want to spend 400-700 bucks for under 10 hp only to save a 10 lbs.
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Dec 19, 2007
#7
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #7
Zinc 01 GT said:
I got all my stuff while i was deployed to Iraq , I didnt go with long tubes for clearnace issues also I already had my Bassanie X pipe and borla xaust.. Now I gotta find out what im going to do about my dip stick lol thanks for the comments
Click to expand...
We ground down on the header flange to allow it to clear.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
3,501
28
119
Motor City
Dec 19, 2007
#8
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #8
The stock manifolds were good until about 600HP. Shorties are a waste. Sorry, just being honest. L/T get you more power, but those are still expensive for the power you get. After supercharging my Cobra, I learned not to bolt on any mods to a stock Mustang. Just save for a blower and smile when you hit the gas and pull on people.
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Dec 19, 2007
#9
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #9
SVT32VDOHC said:
The stock manifolds were good until about 600HP. Shorties are a waste. Sorry, just being honest. L/T get you more power, but those are still expensive for the power you get. After supercharging my Cobra, I learned not to bolt on any mods to a stock Mustang. Just save for a blower and smile when you hit the gas and pull on people.
Click to expand...
+1

I do have to disagree with you on the bolt ons routine. A 4V will react nicely to bolt ons and low 12's is easily done with the "right bolt ons"(full exhaust, 4.56's, S/R Intake, etc) and a tire. In fact some have gotten mid to high 11's out of bolt ons. This will come usually cheaper than a Supercharger.
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Dec 19, 2007
#10
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #10
blackfang said:
+1

I do have to disagree with you on the bolt ons routine. A 4V will react nicely to bolt ons and low 12's is easily done with the "right bolt ons"(full exhaust, 4.56's, S/R Intake, etc) and a tire. In fact some have gotten mid to high 11's out of bolt ons. This will come usually cheaper than a Supercharger.
Click to expand...

I agree, the 4v love bolt ons. Guy in my area has a black terminator with just bolt ons (full exhaust, gears, pulley, cai, and tuner and possibly more) and runs high 10's. He's a kick a** driver though too.
 
Z

Zinc 01 GT

New Member
Jul 2, 2001
52
0
0
FT. Bragg NC
Dec 19, 2007
#11
  • Dec 19, 2007
  • #11
I wasnt trying to save weight by going to theshorty here were numerous reason I decided to go with headers over stock manifolds. Main sreason Ididnt want to go withlong rubs is because of clearans issues plus im sure they would have been a bigger PITA then the short tubes were when I put them on. I didnt think about grinding down the flange, so now with everything back on except for the dip stick I guess Im going tohave to fabercate a new one for it unless any of you know a diffrent way. maybe bening the Factory stick with a tubing bender or something and going around the steering shaft? Any furthe rfeed back will be appreaciated thanks
 

blackfang

Founding Member
Dec 17, 2001
1,290
1
39
Richmond, Va
Dec 20, 2007
#12
  • Dec 20, 2007
  • #12
Zinc 01 GT said:
I wasnt trying to save weight by going to theshorty here were numerous reason I decided to go with headers over stock manifolds. Main sreason Ididnt want to go withlong rubs is because of clearans issues plus im sure they would have been a bigger PITA then the short tubes were when I put them on. I didnt think about grinding down the flange, so now with everything back on except for the dip stick I guess Im going tohave to fabercate a new one for it unless any of you know a diffrent way. maybe bening the Factory stick with a tubing bender or something and going around the steering shaft? Any furthe rfeed back will be appreaciated thanks
Click to expand...
I wasn't referring to you, sorry. Actually LT's are just as much a pita to install. Dollar for dollar, they are better. Arguably, shorty's have become known to be a total waste of $$ and time.
 
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