Equal, Unequal headers...wtd?

[Chevyguy]

I have been wrestling with this myself and have some theroies to share now.

The Equal length are tuned to have equal length runners ( go figure!) This gives more even exhaust scavenging compared to the unequal length units. The downfall for this is the equal length are bulkier and block most of the spark plugs pretty good. The unequal length look like the stock ones but bigger pipes and smoother bends etc. With a modified motor it will breathe somewhat better with the equal length shorties.

From what I can figure for a mostly stock car, the equal length are not worth the extra bother, if you want better headers, go to long tubes (which are equal length too, just much longer) Then you will definately notice a difference. The long tubes tune the torque curve up to a higher peak since the gasses blend much further from the head than either of the shorties do.

I would stick with 1 5/8 primary diameter with any street 302 mustang header, the 1 3/4 is really too big unless you are running a stroker or 351 etc.

So 1 5/8 unequal shortes or 1 5/8 long tubes IMHO

BTW can anyone talk me into long tubes with a short H pipe and cats vs the 1 5/8 unequal shorties with the bbk X pipe and cats on a daily driven car????