short or long headers?
#12
RE: short or long headers?
Headers will help any engine, no matter how many cylinders it has. They make the engine breathe easier so it can make more HP versus the stock restricted exhaust manifolds or stock headers. I put equal length shorties and a 2.5" cat back exhaust on my '88 and definitely gained more than 5 HP, more like 25 overall. Equal length headers will give more gain than unequal length but they are a bit more difficult to install due to the bends in them making some bolts hard to get to but they are worth the effort to install.
#13
RE: short or long headers?
but while a set of LT's give a 4.6 25hp gain will it do the same thing for a 3.8L? I just dont see those engines having that much room for improvement unless you throw a turbo or something on it. But again, I have been wrong before.
#14
RE: short or long headers?
long tubes will help any motor, but on a 3.8 i cant see much. the intake part of a 3.8 is pretty restrictive, so even if you have more going out the exhaust, i doubt that you will gain much air going in the engine.
#15
RE: short or long headers?
Woudln't it not matter if they were LTs or shorties if both were equal lenght? As long as they are the same diameter pipes, mandrel bent, and equal lenght there should be little or no difference in the performance of a Shortie than an LT right?
I know that LTs make a major difference for 4.6L, but isnt that just because both the midpipes and shorties on a 4.6 are NOT equal length?
BTW everything I have heard is that X pipes are not for 3.8Ls Anyone know if this is true? In this case you would be best going with a O/R H. You will have to get a new midpipe for LT headers. Shorties you wont.
I know that LTs make a major difference for 4.6L, but isnt that just because both the midpipes and shorties on a 4.6 are NOT equal length?
BTW everything I have heard is that X pipes are not for 3.8Ls Anyone know if this is true? In this case you would be best going with a O/R H. You will have to get a new midpipe for LT headers. Shorties you wont.
#17
RE: short or long headers?
there isn't if any hps in the long tubes over the equal lengths..long tubes are new they have been aound before the mustang.....there not for lowered cars and offer no real hp gain on mild engine.....