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Do i really need headers?

2K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  thelastsumurai 
#1 ·
So, I've been looking online for mid-pipes and noticed that they are made for stock headers and long tube headers and they aren't compatible with both. My plan was to buy the mid-pipe and exhaust and get headers later. Now I'm realizing that if I get headers later I'm also going to need another mid-pipe later as well because the mid-pipe made for the stock headers wont fit with the long tube headers.

Even though I want performance, I'm interested in sound over horsepower. It's a project car that will be set-up for a daily driver if I want it too and I want it to look good as well. I'm not interested in someone trying to race me.

What are you thoughts? Should I just get the whole set-up at one time or just stay with the stock headers and get the mid-pipe fitment for them?

I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks everyone!
 
#3 ·
Well, longtubes are going to give you some gains and be better. However, you are looking at $$$ for good ones and by good ones I mean SLP/Kooks/ARH, not BBK or MAC. So figure $1100-$1400 for a quality set of stainless equal length longtubes and matching pipe.


Also to do the longtube install you will need to drop the K member so there is that too. Not trying to be discouraging, just making sure you know what you are getting into.


As far as shorties... not worth it really over stock manifolds and a decent stainless pipe is cheap and easy to install. You can always get it modified later if you get longtubes or sell it and buy a new pipe.


Really up to you and your budget in the end honestly. If you just want a good sound then a good offroad pipe and a catback will give you a great sound for a lot less money than the longtubes.
 
#7 ·
Not quite true my man, Shorties do work. The retailers don't want to sell them because of the profit margin. With long tubes I only picked up twelve RHP @ 6800 rpm on the dyno. And when I looked carefully at the stock "headers" I realized they are not well designed at all. So my friend went with the Kook coated Shorties and picked up 10 RHP @ 6800 rom and 16RHP at 7000 rpm. In my opinion with all the hassel of installation and cost of both the headers and installation of headersit's really not worth it unless your live at the track.
 
#4 ·
maybe start with just the axleback? then when it comes time for long tubes, get the mid pipe to go with it. otherwise like scotty said, off road mid pipe, since your not paying for the new cats, just a tune and/or mil eliminators. then when you buy longtubes later, just buy new off road long tube headers.
 
#5 ·
Hi mergejones

You asked the question
Do i really need headers?????
To answer your question: NO

Just ask yourself if you WANT headers of any sort. If the answer is"YES" then just go ahead and get them.
Nobody really needs all of this stuff we buy. We buy stuff because we want stuff.
Stuff makes our Mustangs unique and faster, better looking to us and a more personal car.

Ronnie
 
#6 ·
You asked the question
To answer your question: NO

Just ask yourself if you WANT headers of any sort. If the answer is"YES" then just go ahead and get them.
Nobody really needs all of this stuff we buy. We buy stuff because we want stuff.
Stuff makes our Mustangs unique and faster, better looking to us and a more personal car.

Ronnie
lol i was just coming back to do the same quote as ronnie, along with "Short answer - no"
except my explanation was going to be that there are cheaper and easier mods that give you more bang for your buck. Ive always seen long tube headers as something to tackle if either A) your engine is already going to be on a hoist in the near future. or B) you're running out of stuff to upgrade.
 
#14 ·
And the 11-14 headers aren't poorly designed... that is a Tri-Y manifold not a bad design. Did you tune the car before you swapped the headers and get that number on the dyno as a baseline to support your HP claims? Tests done under the same temp/humidity conditions?
 
#15 ·
Last post for me on this. Holding the 11 manifold in your hands you will be not be impressed. Lots of slag inside and just generally poor assembly. And if it was a great design I wouldn't be talking about shorty header improvements.
 
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