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

Shorty Headers

  • Thread starter Thread starter G302A
  • Start date Start date Mar 28, 2009
G

G302A

New Member
Oct 29, 2008
8
1
0
Mar 28, 2009
#1
  • Mar 28, 2009
  • #1
Shorty Headers for the 302 are not symetrical, can anyone tell me why?

I'm going to fit reversed shorties into my car (exit to the front) and the lousy pics that are used to sell these things do not indicate if the ends are in the "same place" on either side of the motor. This is important to me as I want the install to look balanced. Can anyone tell me the brand to get that will give me the most symetrical setup?

Thanks

Gordon
 

Maryland Stang

Active Member
Aug 21, 2002
1,656
30
39
Greenville, NC
Mar 29, 2009
#2
  • Mar 29, 2009
  • #2
The headers are built to fit the stock Ford exhaust. Ford wasn't too concerned with whether or not the ends of both headers ended up in the same spot. They're concerned with ease of fitment during the manufatcuring process and cost.

The only shorty header you're going to find that meets your needs are the set that you have custom built.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,075
1,658
194
NJ
Mar 29, 2009
#3
  • Mar 29, 2009
  • #3
Maryland is right, they end up, where they end up. Symmetry has nothing to do with it.
Almost all exhaust parts are universal in design, so they can be mated up with other brands and or stock.
So basically your choice are stock exit, or long tube exit.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
Mar 29, 2009
#4
  • Mar 29, 2009
  • #4
Umm....nobody mentioned this but most of it has to do with the fact that the driver's side head is about an inch further back on the block than the passenger side head so obviously one side is going to exit further back than the other. It's been a while since i had shorties but i think they're damn near the same overall length...it's just that the heads themselves are in different positions so they end up with one further back than the other.


Here's a pic of Mac shorties, and i took the bottom header and mirrored it in photoshop to give you a better comparison...you can see that they're pretty much identical in size and overall length.

View attachment 264349
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

New Exhaust for 408w stroker
  • SadbutTrue
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
161
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Sep 10, 2026
nickyb
9
Forced Induction Prepping for supercharger on non-stock build
  • 91fox427
  • Nov 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
591
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 5, 2026
Qtrhrse23
Ford truck engine swap issues
  • keel
  • Jul 7, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
17
Views
759
Other Auto Tech Jul 13, 2026
General karthief
C
Help with headers
  • candyass
  • Jul 28, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
2
Views
204
The Welcome Wagon Jul 28, 2025
AeroCoupe
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
528
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
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?