[fsttang96]

I am planning on doing some work to the Stang over the winter months like putting on a PI intake, My buddy ported his own heads and said he gained 30 RWHP !! I didnt beleve him at first but he showed me the dyno sheet and there it was 28.7 HP gain ! So he talked me into that since Im not going to put the PI heads on because of compression ratio ! also putting a set of cams in and was wondering long tubes or shorties ? Shorties are alot cheaper and I wouldnt have to buy another H pipe !! Is there much of a difference between the two as in performance ?!?!?

[KV007]

long tubes add about 15 rwhp shorties is more like maybe 5....

[Thumbie]

I've heard many stories about the difference in power being minimal, but if you're going through the trouble you might as well get long tubes. I've never done headers on a mustang so my input really doesn't mean much, this is just what I've heard

[tfofkyle]

the gains are not worth the hassle if you ask me (pacesetter long tubes here) unless you are looking to squeeze out every bit of rwhp and are willing to sacrifice ground clearance, your current midpipe, clearance problems when dropping the transmission, increased underhood temps (if running uncoated headers like me), killing starters (especially higher mileage ones) from the heat, fumes (long tubes do not pass emissions), retuning your ecu (this is a must if you are removing the egr - another thing to consider when swapping headers), needing o2 sensor extensions, and chasing exhaust leaks (if you have slip fit connectors like me)

to be honest i wouldnt do it again. the top end pull is pretty nice, cant lie (no dyno results to back it up) but for all the maintenance hell its been - never again.

there are certain brands of longtubes that can clear the stock trans (this is the biggest deal breaker for me) but they are even more expensive. the cheaper ones have the leaky slip fit connectors (second deal breaker for me) so unless you wanna shell cash, you wont get the quality that i personally would desire.

[jg42122]

I just installed the bbk shorties tuned headers, x pipe, and flow master mufflers, and it was a pain. I had to also buy new motor mounts because the old ones we're wore out. The car sounds great though. It's definitely not a quiet car any more.

[tfofkyle]

yea i meant to touch on that - installation will be about the same for both styles of headers. and trust me it wasnt fun - even with half of my engine out of the car.

[96GTNATE]

Yeah the install is a major PITA! I ended up unbolting my motor mounts and then removing them completely. Had my motor jacked half way out of my car and it was still a tight fit. Plus removing the starter and removing the studs from the block was not fun. My hands were beaten and bloody after all was said and done.

Also the shortys will quiet your exhaust down a bit. But still loud at WOT.

All in all.... I dont think it was very worth while

[97S281]

If cost is your concern get the shorties. They do fit to the stock midpipe and the install isn't quite as horrific as long tubes. Someone actually offered me $350 to install theirs after i told them I did my own and i passed on it. That's how much of a PITA it is.