IS this exhaust upgrade good?

[jetuomi]

Got a 94 GT, want to start with exhaust.. Want to end up with about 300 HP when I'm all done.. (no S/C).. don't want this to be restrictive in anyway, but also want to pass emissions testing.. : )

Mac 1 1/2" equal length headers, MAC Pro-Chamber, MAC 2.5" cat-back (flow-path mufflers)...

thanks

------------------
1994 Mustang GT
Stock cept for K&N Filter. Working on upgrades thru winter.. Would like ideas! : )

[93CobraR]

Yeah, that will be just fine. If I were you and buying all new stuff I would get the long tubes...

------------------
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

[Nicks5.0]

if you want 300hp, then you are gonna need quite a few bolt on's, so i would think that if you dont want to go to the long tube route, 1 5/8 inch headers might be better. initially you will give up a little bit of low end, but when you get all the mods done, the 1 5/8 will be better for you. just my two cents, nick

------------------
1990lx coupe, 302, gt40p heads, wolv 1087 cam, 1.7rr's, 65mm tb, 75mm maf, comp box on top of cobra lower, anderson ford pms, full exhaust, drag type susp. and 3.55's. traps 105mph

[90dpscoupe]

Do they make 1-1/2 eql lngth shorties? i've only seen 1-5/8's

------------------
90 lx coupe: Mac cold air fenderwell, accel supercoil,advncd ignition,3-core radiatr, FMS alum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs, 3chbr flows.
Best time: 14.26(on 225/60/15 firehawks)
Best mph 96.33 (with a passenger)
Best 60' 2.1
next mods: subframes, 3.73's

[AxemanZZ]

I've never seen 1 1/2", but even if they do make them I'd go with 1 5/8". And, I agree with 93CobraR... I would go with the long tubes. They are a bit harder to install from what I hear, but everyone I know that has shorties is planning the switch to long tubes, and everyone I know with long tubes says that the extra effort to install them was worth it. Just a thought, and it will probably save you some money down the road. As for the rest of the exhaust you picked the exact same parts I did so I think you made a wise decision going with MAC.

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

[Just me]

I have MAC long tubes and love em. If you go with shorties, you might wanna get the unequals cause they're simpler to work with.

[FivepointOH]

Hmm...I dont know i'm going to go against what everyone is saying and say go with the smaller equals, they should be fine for the 300hp number you're looking for(did you want 300rwhp or flywheel?) and I had mac longtubes and offroad hpipe installed on my near stock car and I saw no difference at the track at all although they do sound good...i'm sure it would be another story if I had more mods....

------------------
92 AOD GT, K&N, ram air, pulleys, 2 ch. flowmasters, 4:10's, shift kit, 1 5/8 mac longtubes and offroad hpipe 14.249 @ 97.34 mph before the headers and hpipe

[AxemanZZ]

Yeah, you probably won't notice much difference with just an exhaust upgrade. But it will definately help when you add better flowing heads and an intake.

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

[88PONY]

Don't get headers,or just get 1 1/2 primarys if your leaving you stock heads.They will only hurt you.If you want a blower or NOS
1 5/8 primarys will work fine,but with stock heads stay away from them.Your valves are too small to handle a bigger header.

Just do the world a favor and stay away from Flowmaster!!!
Thats a resriction right there.
stay with MAC or Dynomax.

Good Luck,Happy Holidays


------------------
88 NOTCH DSS 331CI C-4 BRAKE 4:10'S 11.5-1 DART IRON HEADS X-CAM 1.7 ROCKERS 8PT. CAGE BEST 10.9@125MPH 100% STREETALBE TO ME!!!

[88COBRA]

Sounds good to me

------------------
Ian Sim
webmaster@stangpower.com
STORED: 1988 Mustang GT "Canadian Cobra", stock, AOD, loaded
WANT XENON HEADLIGHTS AND WHITE FACE GAUGES? Visit my site:
http://www.stangpower.com

[AxemanZZ]

If you want to get 300 ponies out of your engine eventually then don't get 1 1/2". If the loss of low end torque is something you can't live with until you get a set of heads and an intake then wait on the exhaust. Or you could have your stock heads ported for a cheap alternative. But your intake will still be the most restrictive part on the engine, so you may want to get that taken care of first too.

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

I suggest the 1 1/2 headers if any... I make 300 at the crank (approx)with 1 1/2's and close to 400 ft lbs. on the torque side. Remember, torque is what gets you from point A to point B the fastest... Especially with your heavy 94-95 stlye car. Keep the 1 5/8's for the blower or aftermarket head cars. When your shifting a car around 5 grand, the 1 1/2 headers will be better for you.

Just my opinon, good luck



------------------
1995 5.0 Cobra. ,Exhaust, 3.73's, 13.14 @ 103.65

[AaronC]

Definitely get the 1 5/8" headers. You won't lose any power down low. You definitely won't notice it if you have gears. If you want mucho low end and midrange then get longtubes. I've seen many 5.0's with stock heads, intake, cam make 235-240 RWHP and 295-300 RWTQ with pulley's, longtubes (1 5/8), off road H, Cat back, Mass Air, timing advance, short belt, etc. This is a very common setup for all the guys who run stock motored 12's.



------------------
3.55 gears, short shifter, BBK headers, Mac Pro Chamber, Mac Cat Back, C&L mass air, Nitto DR's, Nitrous Works nitrous 50-175

Best ET's:
14.14 @ 98 NA
13.46 @ 104 80 shot
with a worn traction lok and 60's in the 2.12-2.2 range.

Up next: Longtubes, short belt and a new differential

[AxemanZZ]

I am now running with MAC 1 5/8" long tubes, 2 1/2" Pro Chamber, and 2 1/2" cat-back. The rest of my engine is completely stock. I noticed a HUGE increase in power and feel that even the low end torque is a lot better than it was.

I know now that my exhaust was what was causing my problem with me losing all my power by 4500rpm, but still... this thing is a beast now! It climbs hard from launch all the way to 6000rpm (what's the stock rev limiter set at?).

Definately go ahead and get 1 5/8". I love mine, and I bet when I install my GT-40 intake and ported stock heads this exhaust will make an even bigger difference.

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

[This message has been edited by AxemanZZ (edited 12-28-2000).]

[MercDude]

I don't know exactly what everyone is talking about in this post, i had stock heads (port,valve work now ) and when i put hookers supercomps on my 302 it woke up. I believe that the exhaust work will hurt you if you leave intake stock or leave cam stock. The heads are PROBABLY fine for a 300hp-flywheel engine, and a change to more head won't necassarily help you unless you've got the cam/intake to go along with it. For your money, i haven't seen a better deal then the edelbrock performer or performer rpm power package. I have had experience with the performer, and although it seems a little timid at first glance, you won't regret the move to a performer cam/intake setup. IME with the performer cam/intake (which i ran for a couple years ) is probably the most inexpensive way to get your 300hp while being VERY streetwise. Anyways, you will notice a small decrease in lowrpm power if you go with long tubes, but for a small block 302, revving is what it's all about. The long tubes happen to agree with the most basic of 302 functions and that's to get rpm fast! So... IMO, there isn't even a question, GO WITH THE LONGTUBES!!

------------------
'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

[Mach 1]

And why cant you rev it just as fast with shorties?

I dont think the difference (if any) would justify the additional hassle of the long tubes on a 300 HP street/strip car, but do what you want.

[AaronC]

Mach1,

Longtubes make a lot more torque than shorty headers. The longer tubes help scavenging at low RPM's so that's why you get the RPM's faster. There have been guys who have dynoed both and the longtubes always come out way ahead in torque and slightly higher in HP. Shorty headers are made for convenience of fit and not performance. If shorties worked just as well then you'd see all the guys in NASCAR running them. Obviously their motors are pretty rowdy but the longtubes still provide a significant difference on a stock 5.0. I'll post my track times once I get mine installed.

------------------
3.55 gears, short shifter, BBK headers, Mac Pro Chamber, Mac Cat Back, C&L mass air, Nitto DR's, Nitrous Works nitrous 50-175

Best ET's:
14.14 @ 98 NA
13.46 @ 104 80 shot
with a worn traction lok and 60's in the 2.12-2.2 range.

Up next: Longtubes, short belt and a new differential

[AxemanZZ]

I have to agree with AaronC. My car climbs faster than it did before, and has tons of power once I hit about 3000 rpm. Granted my stock exhaust was holding me back because I think the cats were plugged up, but it's better than any other stock 5.0 I've driven. I can't wait til the tracks open back up so I can see what kind of times I get now.

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

[sn95_snl]

You stated you want to pass emissions. Can you get the MAC Pro-Chamber with cats? I thought all of the Pro-Chambers were off-road.

Also -- For an idea on what it takes to get to 300 hp check out the write up in MM&FF on the stone pony. With the complete Edelbrock Performer package (Heads, cam and intake), MAC exhaust and power tuning they are at 262 rwhp - Just don't expect to duplicate there times at the track . . .

Uunderdrive pulleys and a timing bump had the best "bag for the buck" (other than gears) in my 94 GT. For about $70.00 and 45 minutes of work I got a noticeable set in the pants increase.

Good Luck

[AxemanZZ]

Yeah, I don't think the Pro Chamber comes with cats. You may have to go with the H-pipe.

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