I tried doing a search but didnt find much.. What is the difference between long and short tube headers? I found someone selling BBK Longtubes and an X-pipe but dont know if that will bolt up fine.. I have a Magnaflow exhaust..
Short tube vs long tube?
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skunk21
Active Member
The long tubes will gain more low, mid range and have a better tone to them vs shorties, I have jba shorties since my stock ones looked like crap but I know I didn't gain sqaut. The gains will depend on the mods done to the motor, a stock or mild motor will not see much vs motor with good flowing heads, intake and cam, boost etc. shorties are fine for a stock or mild motor IMO. When my next motor is done I will be getting LT's for sure either Kooks or JBA's and ditching the shorties at that point but keeping them until that happens right now it's just not worth it.
skunk21
Active Member
The longer the individual tubes the more scavenging occurs at lower speeds, this gives the long tubes a longer broader torque curve that starts at a lower rpm vs a shorty header which has less of a scavenging effect, this can actually be tuned in a set of headers for race car, etc( it gets more technical). shorties lend themselves to upper mid- higher rpms and less low end torque than the long tubes.
1991notchbackLX
Active Member
skunk21
Active Member
still the length of the tube has the effect on "wave tuning" or lack of it. the longer pipe favors lower rpm power and the shorter pipes favor higher rpm power. usually the pipe dia is related to the exhaust valve size, port size, cam specs, etc.
25thmustang
Mustang Master
My family races 3 out of the 6 Mustangs we own...
Those 3 have long tubes, the 3 we dont race have stock headers.
Those 3 have long tubes, the 3 we dont race have stock headers.
Longtubes outshine shorties about everywhere but they usually even out up top. Of course other factors are to be considered, such as runner diameter, and collector diameter as well as the length of the tubes. I know that the tri-Y headers are really good for torque.
The sound is definately different. Longtubes give it a quieter idle, but bark loud when you open up the throttle. Also has that echo effect. I can usually tell longtubes from shorties by the sound. If you want your car to sound mean, and not like ever other mustang longtubes are the way to go.
The sound is definately different. Longtubes give it a quieter idle, but bark loud when you open up the throttle. Also has that echo effect. I can usually tell longtubes from shorties by the sound. If you want your car to sound mean, and not like ever other mustang longtubes are the way to go.
Yeah, those equal lengths aren't worth the time and headache. If you get those you pretty much have to buy a universal ignition wire kit and get creative. Long tubes are a little akward to install but are not near as bad as some try to describe, but I have seen people get their butts kicked by a battery install before so your skill level has an effect.
DocG
5th graders > me. They're not bant
No, not really considering that the stock exhaust ports are so restrictive but it will help some.
skunk21
Active Member
you will get a slight gain on a stock motor, the real gains happen on a h/c/i. you would really kill the low end with too large of a dia. tube for the motor, with a stock or modified motor you would want a 1 5/8" ( unless the flow of the motor dictates a larger dia.)which is what most people purchase and that is fine.
I have the car stock right now; eventually I want to do h/c/i. I just installed a magnaflow exhaust, but don’t really like how low it is... I want it to be louder, so I figured installing header and x pipe will do the trick... Someone had told me if I ever plan on lowering the car to not get long tubes because they will be too close to the ground. In the future I don’t know if I am going to want to put an aftermarket suspension, which will lower the car by 1-2 inches, and want to keep that option open... Is there any truth to this?
skunk21
Active Member
yes with a drop of over 1" or in some cases even a 1" drop with spring settling with long tubes there is a very high chance they will scrape stuff like speed bumps, slightly steep angled drives/park lot entries, etc. The long tubes sit lower than shorties.
pic of long tubes and how they sit for reference..
25thmustang
Mustang Master
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