Information on headers

[TN89LX5.0]

OK..my Mustang has no cats and some good sounding but deteriorating flowmasters on it (and some ugly tips..yuck). In the near future I plan on doing a complete exhaust replacement. Headers and the 3" Delta Force header back system (which requires shorty headers).
My question is about unequal versus equal length. Whats the consensus as to what everyone prefers. I notice the unequal length are cheaper, why?? I know that long headers make more power than shortys. I am considering shortys anyhow as I plan on changing the suspension and lowering the car 1.5-2 inches later on and may have problems with full length headers as far a ground clearance.

 

[BOWTIEKILLR]

my dad bought some flowtech equal length shortys and the fit and install was awesome. black paint not so much but whos complaining. unequal lengths are cheaper because they are less material and less R&D to make them, so therefore cheaper. one big thing i look for when buying headers is a one piece head side flange, because my bbk's on my car each tube is seperate and i cant install them without tweaking the chit out of them to spearate the front 2 tubes from the back 2. jba headers are awesome fit/finish/quality, but are $$BANK$$. i wish i hadnt spent money on shorts because im just going with l/t's now because of the power increase with my new motor, so if you plan on future power, just get some longtubes and be careful over speedbumps. and what you said about going with shortys and a 3" headerback...kinda contradicts. you would want to run 3" with l/t's because a car that makes enough power to NEED 3" exhaust should be running l/t headers. a nearly stock motor with 3" exhaust is going to suck. you will have no bottom end and it will sound hollow. 500+hp needs 3" and still can survive with 2 1/2" and a stock motor for sure is fine with 2 1/2". hope this helps

 

[TN89LX5.0]

Thanks for the info! I was looking at the 3" delta force because I found it for less than $500. Hadnt put much research or thought into it. I do have a some mods planned for the future and am not sure exactly what kind of hp it will end up making. In the near future, I figure the normal bolt ons most everyone does, then some heads, intake and maybe a supercharger eventually. Who knows?? I will probably stick with the 2 1/2" then. Guess I need to do some more reading on this..lol!