fordfan302

i am considering getting headers. i was wondering a few things. first what sounds better long or shortys. is there a difference between shorty and equal length. i read that shorty adds 8-10 hp and long tubes add 25-30. is this true and if so where could i find long tube headers for a 1991 mustang lx automatic 5.0. thanx for your help

stanglx2002

First LT headers are for mainly high rpm cars but they are louder then the shorties. Next the shorties install a lot easier and are great for DD and street cars. IMO i would go with the shorties

Motorman

I would go with a good set of equal length shorties. Besides the install ease (most times you need to pull the engine to get LT's on) you wont run into interferance problems like you would with the LT. I put a set of LT on a ford 390 and everytime I had to change the starter, had to unbolt the header and lay it off to the side just to get at the starter. Also if you go with LT your gonna have to invest in a new set of pipes to fit the new length. Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I believe shorties come to about the same point as manifolds. One last thing ground clearance. I have actually seen LT's hang a good inch below anything else on the bottom of the car. Hate to spend that $$ and bang it up on a speed bump the very next day.

Albizo66

You guys make good points..and I always heard that LT's are hard to fit on an automatic anyways..but yes LT's get you from 25-30 horsepower rear wheel too I believe..I had my car lowered 2";then I put the LT's on..MAJOR clearance problems..I really couldn't drive it..Raised it 1" so now it is lowered only 1"..no clearnace problems at all..even over speed bumps (justa hve to take it REALLY painfully slow)..If you want more power, and more noise (deeper, more aggresive) go with the LT's..And if you can. have someone install them for you like I did..I love working on my car but I knew the LT's were bitches to get it so I said screw it and spent the few extra hundred bucks and had someone install them for me..but yes, you will also need a new midpipe; a shorty. In my oppinion go LT's..more power, better sound. But it is up to you and the amount of money in your wallet.

fordfan302

ok thank you all so much, that really helped......i guess that i will go w/ the shortys, that way i can do it myself. now all i need to do is find a good set, are the ebay ones that you find for 100 bucks i think they are sb, are they any good?

settled4automatic

i purchased a set of mac shorties from an ebay store for 130, and then i got mac offroad xpipe for 130 from the same store. i know mac and bbk to be great brands. i don't think anybody will ever give bbk bad reviews on this site, i'll recommend them or mac to ya and ebay should be one of your best friends when purchasing parts.