Best 1 5/8" headers?? Watcha got, need input!

Bob · 01-07-2001, 10:21 PM

I'm in the market for a new set of headers. I have JBA 1 1/2 primary shortys now, but need more flow. Thought about going with longtubes, but after hearing about all the problems with steering shaft clearance, hot starters, melted clutch cables, etc., I'm thinking more about a good set of 1 5/8 shortys. To be honest, I don't think that on a 325 h.p. n/a motor the difference between long and short tube headers would be all that much anyway. Kind of leaning toward FMS shortys. I've heard alot that BBK's are better than the Mac's, but there seems to be an awful lot of you running Mac long and short tube headers. What's the deal with that??? Also I'm running an off road H and dumps if that matters. Any pros or cons on different brands would be helpful.........Thanks!

------------------
1985 Mustang GT

'85 GT 13.20 @ 105.8 / '72 Mach1
Long list...check website!!
My Website

93CobraR · 01-07-2001, 10:30 PM

Get the MAC longtubes. I have them and have no problems at all. Steering is fine, clutch cable is fine and the starter is fine. They are worth there moeny in gold. They performe great and sound awesome!

------------------
87 GT, 4 inch cowl hood,17x9 Cobra R's/255/45's, long tubes headers,h-pipe,Flows,BBK cold air, Mass air,70mm MAF, 1.7's, 1" spacer,underdrive pulleys,Pro 5.0, King Cobra, Adj. fuel Reg., Lakewood Lift Bars,50/50's,subframes, 4.10's.
Best time 13.012
Best MPH 104
Best 60' 1.816

Visit my site at:
http://www.geocities.com/cobrar93_2000/MyPage.html

NO SLO PK · 01-07-2001, 10:38 PM

My experience is that there's a significant increase in power with the longtubes compared to the short tubes, even at the 325 hp level. For me, the biggest issue with the longtubes has been getting past smog checks, which I usually end up "paying" for.

------------------
'91 LX
Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles.

MercDude · 01-09-2001, 03:23 PM

I am an ealier car enthusiast, but even on older cars the clearance issue stands firm. I have been made a die hard hooker fan since i installed their hooker super comp full length 1 5/8" headers on my "mild" 340hp 302. I didn't have to modify, change, or remake anything and all i did was install and i've never had to tighten them either! I don't know if you've ever seen a '63 fairlane's engine compartment, but there is just barely enough room for stock exhaust manifolds let alone headers! Still though, these hookers met up real nice on my auto meteor. i also noticed a hug f$cking difference in power!! On top of that, the quality of the product was astounding! So i think hooker's full length is the way to go

------------------
'63 Merc Meteor hardtop, warm 302, C4 auto, 2.25" Flowmaster Exhaust,
'65 289 heads - ported/chevy valves, performer cam, edelbrock f4a intake, full length hookers, 600 holley, roller rockers, k'n, 10.5:1 hyperutetic pistons... mid 13's hoping to reach into 12's

AxemanZZ · 01-10-2001, 08:03 AM

I just installed MAC long tubes on my stock 5.0 and it made a big difference. Steering problems are usually due to worn motor mounts which you have to unbolt anyway when you install the long tubes, so buy new ones before you install long tubes. You can bend the clutch cable bracket out of the way enough so it won't be a problem, and so far my starter is doing fine, but I plan to upgrade to a high tourque mini starter in the near future anyway just to be on the safe side. Go with long tubes. You won't be disappointed.

------------------
90 Mustang LX 5.0
My Ride*My Site

01-07-2001, 10:21 PM	#1
Bob "Old School Gearhead" Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Peru, Illinois Posts: 617	Best 1 5/8" headers?? Watcha got, need input! I'm in the market for a new set of headers. I have JBA 1 1/2 primary shortys now, but need more flow. Thought about going with longtubes, but after hearing about all the problems with steering shaft clearance, hot starters, melted clutch cables, etc., I'm thinking more about a good set of 1 5/8 shortys. To be honest, I don't think that on a 325 h.p. n/a motor the difference between long and short tube headers would be all that much anyway. Kind of leaning toward FMS shortys. I've heard alot that BBK's are better than the Mac's, but there seems to be an awful lot of you running Mac long and short tube headers. What's the deal with that??? Also I'm running an off road H and dumps if that matters. Any pros or cons on different brands would be helpful.........Thanks! ------------------ 1985 Mustang GT '85 GT 13.20 @ 105.8 / '72 Mach1 Long list...check website!! My Website

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Buying new headers	TwiLighTBluEGT	Windsor Power	4	04-23-2003 08:55 PM
Anyone have problems with MAC headers??	HiFlow5 0	Windsor Power	15	05-30-2002 08:30 AM
H pipe and headers	7up	Windsor Power	3	05-19-2002 08:06 PM
Headers should I or shouldn't I....Need Advice Quick Please	Mustang_GT_90	Windsor Power	9	05-01-2002 01:16 PM
BBK one-piece flange or MAC individual flange long tube headers.	Fox Body	Windsor Power	10	04-03-2001 04:25 PM

01-07-2001, 10:30 PM	#2
93CobraR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,575	Get the MAC longtubes. I have them and have no problems at all. Steering is fine, clutch cable is fine and the starter is fine. They are worth there moeny in gold. They performe great and sound awesome! ------------------ 87 GT, 4 inch cowl hood,17x9 Cobra R's/255/45's, long tubes headers,h-pipe,Flows,BBK cold air, Mass air,70mm MAF, 1.7's, 1" spacer,underdrive pulleys,Pro 5.0, King Cobra, Adj. fuel Reg., Lakewood Lift Bars,50/50's,subframes, 4.10's. Best time 13.012 Best MPH 104 Best 60' 1.816 Visit my site at: http://www.geocities.com/cobrar93_2000/MyPage.html

01-07-2001, 10:38 PM	#3
NO SLO PK Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Arcadia, CA, USA Posts: 731	My experience is that there's a significant increase in power with the longtubes compared to the short tubes, even at the 325 hp level. For me, the biggest issue with the longtubes has been getting past smog checks, which I usually end up "paying" for. ------------------ '91 LX Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles.

01-09-2001, 03:23 PM	#4
MercDude Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: CA, US Posts: 113	I am an ealier car enthusiast, but even on older cars the clearance issue stands firm. I have been made a die hard hooker fan since i installed their hooker super comp full length 1 5/8" headers on my "mild" 340hp 302. I didn't have to modify, change, or remake anything and all i did was install and i've never had to tighten them either! I don't know if you've ever seen a '63 fairlane's engine compartment, but there is just barely enough room for stock exhaust manifolds let alone headers! Still though, these hookers met up real nice on my auto meteor. i also noticed a hug f$cking difference in power!! On top of that, the quality of the product was astounding! So i think hooker's full length is the way to go ------------------ '63 Merc Meteor hardtop, warm 302, C4 auto, 2.25" Flowmaster Exhaust, '65 289 heads - ported/chevy valves, performer cam, edelbrock f4a intake, full length hookers, 600 holley, roller rockers, k'n, 10.5:1 hyperutetic pistons... mid 13's hoping to reach into 12's

01-10-2001, 08:03 AM	#5
AxemanZZ Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 984	I just installed MAC long tubes on my stock 5.0 and it made a big difference. Steering problems are usually due to worn motor mounts which you have to unbolt anyway when you install the long tubes, so buy new ones before you install long tubes. You can bend the clutch cable bracket out of the way enough so it won't be a problem, and so far my starter is doing fine, but I plan to upgrade to a high tourque mini starter in the near future anyway just to be on the safe side. Go with long tubes. You won't be disappointed. ------------------ 90 Mustang LX 5.0 My Ride*My Site