headers

RDRZ · 07-31-2004, 02:26 PM

Hey everyone,
I wanted to put some headers on my 90 lx and I was wondering what would be the best and cheapest ones to go with. There are so many different choices, and I really don't too much about headers, so I wanted to know what to go with - equal length, unequal length, etc. Thanks

gmhatr · 07-31-2004, 08:59 PM

Well it's all a matter of opinion I personaly like the equal length. Summit had flowtec for about $170 equal length.

~The Jester~ · 07-31-2004, 09:41 PM

It all depends on what you're bringing to the table. If the ol' LX is pretty much stock, just the fact that you're putting headers on her will wake her right up. If she has any mods at all, go with the equal length jobs. And it's a proven fact that full lengths are better than shortys.

I guess it all depends on what you have to start with. Just make sure you don't take any sideways steps, we want to go forward!!!

whitepony · 08-01-2004, 08:57 AM

i second the long tubes from flowtech i just bought a set and they work great .

RDRZ · 08-01-2004, 05:12 PM

Cool. Thanks guys. It sounds like I'll go with the longtubes. The car is pretty much stock - nothing major. All I have is a 70 mm mass air, 65mm tb, tb spacer, and underdrives. Will I feel the longtubes in the "a$$ dyno" with this setup?

88fivepointoh · 08-01-2004, 08:22 PM

full length long tubes... awsome choice sound great!!!!

racerboy88 · 08-03-2004, 03:12 PM

Is it any harder to install Long tube compared to equal length?

Ieatcamaros · 08-03-2004, 05:34 PM

I have the BBK equal length shorties on my 302 car and the BBK longtubes in my 351 car. One is not really harder than the other. Only thing about longtubes, is when the tranny comes out, so do the headers. With the shorties, you only have to remove the h/x pipe. Spark plugs are easier to change with the lontubes too.

RDRZ · 08-04-2004, 04:38 PM

Does anybody know some places where I can get the longtube flowtechs? I think I found some on Jegs website, pn 387-12104, but I was wondering if anybody had a pn for these headers at summit. And are these that I found at Jegs the headers you guys are talking about? One other thing is that I need the headers to have a carb number as I am in CA and this is my daily driver. I want to make sure I can still pass smog. Thanks in advance.

88fivepointoh · 08-04-2004, 04:48 PM

summit racing and jegs is a good source.

Ieatcamaros · 08-04-2004, 09:35 PM

The part number at summit for the same headers would be BIG-12104.

stang_racer20 · 08-04-2004, 09:41 PM

Just remember w/ longtubes you'll need a short mid-pipe to match it!

crazypete · 08-05-2004, 08:48 AM

For a relatively mild motor arent shorties better? The longer tubes will kill low end torque and force the fellow to buy a new h-pipe. For shorties, I warmly reccomend mac 1 5/8 equals lengths. I've seem them for $160 all over the place. They make the exhaust sound much meaner.

88fivepointoh · 08-05-2004, 02:34 PM

You bring up a good point, however, I never heard of any power loss from longtubes rather shorties, I will research this however cause this makes me curious. I would have gone with long tubes without knowing this info. But I will look into this.

crazypete · 08-05-2004, 03:20 PM

I was always told that putting longtubes on a mild low revving motor would lose the velocity in the exhaust and interfere with scavenging and air pulses (or something like that =P ) .

Capri306 · 08-05-2004, 03:30 PM

Longtubes, generally, will yield a more-broad torque curve.

One of the Mustang rags did an article on this very topic and gave torque curves for all of the different types of headers. The most significant item of interest was that the torque difference between equal length and regular shorties wasn't large at all, maybe 6-7 lb-ft if I remember correctly. Long tubes seemed to dominate, and the size of the primary tubes had *some* effect on the peak torque RPM. This is all from memory and experience with resonance tuning, so if I'm wrong....have a nice day.

RDRZ · 08-05-2004, 08:54 PM

Thanks for all the replies. So if I do get the longtubes, I'll need a shorter x-pipe, right? What if I decide to go with the shorties? I am assuming I will still need to have a pipe made for the space between the headers and the x-pipe. If there is only a 6-7 ft-lb diff, then on my street motor that shouldn't make a big deal. I also would like my exhaust to sound a little meaner without putting downpipes after the mufflers, so what do you guys think? If the shorties will fit exactly in place of the stock manifolds, then maybe I'll go with those as long as they will perform just as well as longtubes. Thanks again.

Ieatcamaros · 08-05-2004, 09:43 PM

Yes, if you get longtubes, you have to get the matching h or x pipe. You can put equal length shorties or unequal length shorties in place of the factory headers. If you are going to buy headers, might as well upgrade the rest of the exhaust system too. If you don't have to do emissions inspections, you can put a off road h pipe or x pipe. The h pipe is a little louder at idle speeds, but in the high rpms, they are about the same. The main thing in the sound category will be the after cat muffler choice. Most popular ones are flowmaster 2 and 3 chambers. But they all sound good. Go here and listen for a good comparison. IMO, I would get some longtubes with a matching o/r x pipe, with any performance muffler. I doubt you would regret any selection you make.

Oh yeah, the h/x pipe is the pipe that goes from the headers to the mufflers. You will not have to have anything special made.

88fivepointoh · 08-05-2004, 09:52 PM

X-pipes are nice, i have heard they offer better HP ( 1-5 ) more over h-pipe. is it worth the $$$$ probably not. If you can spend it on them then go for it.

RDRZ · 08-06-2004, 09:06 PM

Thanks everyone. I just about have all the money together, so I'll probably get everything in a week or two. Thanks for everyone's help.

07-31-2004, 02:26 PM	#1
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	headers Hey everyone, I wanted to put some headers on my 90 lx and I was wondering what would be the best and cheapest ones to go with. There are so many different choices, and I really don't too much about headers, so I wanted to know what to go with - equal length, unequal length, etc. Thanks

07-31-2004, 09:41 PM	#3
~The Jester~ Rat Killer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cold ass Ohio Posts: 1,143	It all depends on what you're bringing to the table. If the ol' LX is pretty much stock, just the fact that you're putting headers on her will wake her right up. If she has any mods at all, go with the equal length jobs. And it's a proven fact that full lengths are better than shortys. I guess it all depends on what you have to start with. Just make sure you don't take any sideways steps, we want to go forward!!! __________________ d-Con Racing "Nothing fancy, just 347 inches of RAT POISON!" MICE need not apply.....

08-03-2004, 03:12 PM	#7
racerboy88 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: British Columbia Posts: 123	install Is it any harder to install Long tube compared to equal length? __________________ 1990 5.0 LX H/B H-pipe w/ flowmasters, Koni shocks and BBK springs.

08-03-2004, 05:34 PM	#8
Ieatcamaros Domestic Rice really sucks! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KY Posts: 973	I have the BBK equal length shorties on my 302 car and the BBK longtubes in my 351 car. One is not really harder than the other. Only thing about longtubes, is when the tranny comes out, so do the headers. With the shorties, you only have to remove the h/x pipe. Spark plugs are easier to change with the lontubes too. __________________ The sig says it all.

08-04-2004, 09:35 PM	#11
Ieatcamaros Domestic Rice really sucks! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KY Posts: 973	The part number at summit for the same headers would be BIG-12104. __________________ The sig says it all.

07-31-2004, 08:59 PM	#2
gmhatr Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mattoon IL. Posts: 91	Well it's all a matter of opinion I personaly like the equal length. Summit had flowtec for about $170 equal length.

08-01-2004, 08:57 AM	#4
whitepony Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: ontario canada Posts: 165	i second the long tubes from flowtech i just bought a set and they work great .

08-01-2004, 05:12 PM	#5
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	Cool. Thanks guys. It sounds like I'll go with the longtubes. The car is pretty much stock - nothing major. All I have is a 70 mm mass air, 65mm tb, tb spacer, and underdrives. Will I feel the longtubes in the "a$$ dyno" with this setup?

08-01-2004, 08:22 PM	#6
88fivepointoh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 553	full length long tubes... awsome choice sound great!!!!

08-04-2004, 04:38 PM	#9
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	Does anybody know some places where I can get the longtube flowtechs? I think I found some on Jegs website, pn 387-12104, but I was wondering if anybody had a pn for these headers at summit. And are these that I found at Jegs the headers you guys are talking about? One other thing is that I need the headers to have a carb number as I am in CA and this is my daily driver. I want to make sure I can still pass smog. Thanks in advance.

08-04-2004, 04:48 PM	#10
88fivepointoh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 553	summit racing and jegs is a good source.

08-04-2004, 09:41 PM	#12
stang_racer20 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	Just remember w/ longtubes you'll need a short mid-pipe to match it! __________________ 92 Mustang GT, 347 Stroker(Forged Steel Crank/Rods-Balanced, Forged Aluminum Dished Pistons), Trick Flow Track Heat Intake, Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads w/ Stage 3 port/polish, 80mm C&L MAF, FMS 30# Inj., BBK AFPR, Trick Flow Stage 2 Cam, Trick Flow 1.6R Rockers, BBK E.L. Headers, Flowmaster Cat-Back, MAC CAI, FMS Pulleys, Griffin Alum. Radiator, MSD Pro-Billet Distributor; AOD, Dynamic 3300 Lockup Converter, B & M Super Cooler, B&M Ratchet Shifter; 3:73 gears.

08-05-2004, 08:48 AM	#13
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	For a relatively mild motor arent shorties better? The longer tubes will kill low end torque and force the fellow to buy a new h-pipe. For shorties, I warmly reccomend mac 1 5/8 equals lengths. I've seem them for $160 all over the place. They make the exhaust sound much meaner. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

08-05-2004, 02:34 PM	#14
88fivepointoh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 553	You bring up a good point, however, I never heard of any power loss from longtubes rather shorties, I will research this however cause this makes me curious. I would have gone with long tubes without knowing this info. But I will look into this.

08-05-2004, 03:20 PM	#15
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	I was always told that putting longtubes on a mild low revving motor would lose the velocity in the exhaust and interfere with scavenging and air pulses (or something like that =P ) . __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

08-05-2004, 03:30 PM	#16
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Longtubes, generally, will yield a more-broad torque curve. One of the Mustang rags did an article on this very topic and gave torque curves for all of the different types of headers. The most significant item of interest was that the torque difference between equal length and regular shorties wasn't large at all, maybe 6-7 lb-ft if I remember correctly. Long tubes seemed to dominate, and the size of the primary tubes had some effect on the peak torque RPM. This is all from memory and experience with resonance tuning, so if I'm wrong....have a nice day. __________________ Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco

08-05-2004, 08:54 PM	#17
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	Thanks for all the replies. So if I do get the longtubes, I'll need a shorter x-pipe, right? What if I decide to go with the shorties? I am assuming I will still need to have a pipe made for the space between the headers and the x-pipe. If there is only a 6-7 ft-lb diff, then on my street motor that shouldn't make a big deal. I also would like my exhaust to sound a little meaner without putting downpipes after the mufflers, so what do you guys think? If the shorties will fit exactly in place of the stock manifolds, then maybe I'll go with those as long as they will perform just as well as longtubes. Thanks again.

08-05-2004, 09:43 PM	#18
Ieatcamaros Domestic Rice really sucks! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: KY Posts: 973	Yes, if you get longtubes, you have to get the matching h or x pipe. You can put equal length shorties or unequal length shorties in place of the factory headers. If you are going to buy headers, might as well upgrade the rest of the exhaust system too. If you don't have to do emissions inspections, you can put a off road h pipe or x pipe. The h pipe is a little louder at idle speeds, but in the high rpms, they are about the same. The main thing in the sound category will be the after cat muffler choice. Most popular ones are flowmaster 2 and 3 chambers. But they all sound good. Go here and listen for a good comparison. IMO, I would get some longtubes with a matching o/r x pipe, with any performance muffler. I doubt you would regret any selection you make. Oh yeah, the h/x pipe is the pipe that goes from the headers to the mufflers. You will not have to have anything special made. __________________ The sig says it all.

08-05-2004, 09:52 PM	#19
88fivepointoh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rochester Posts: 553	X-pipes are nice, i have heard they offer better HP ( 1-5 ) more over h-pipe. is it worth the $$$$ probably not. If you can spend it on them then go for it.

08-06-2004, 09:06 PM	#20
RDRZ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Citrus Heights, CA Posts: 74	Thanks everyone. I just about have all the money together, so I'll probably get everything in a week or two. Thanks for everyone's help.

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