Difference between Long Tube and Shorties

[HickRocket1258]

I have a 2002 Mustang GT and I've been looking around for headers since I'm thinking about getting my exhaust done. A question I have is what's the difference between the long tube and shorty headers? I've been trying to figure out the difference but have had no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

[1988 Olds]

Ok here's a simple explanation,may not be 100% right. Shortie headers will replace your stock manifold. They will bolt right into place usually and basically just act in place of the manifold. Long tubes on the other head extend underneath the car. They replace the manifold also but also the piping off the manifold has to be cut back or replaced. When I get my car back you can look at it and see what long tubes look like or basically any car where the headers run under neath has long tubes.

[white2000neon]

From what i heard long tube gives u more top end and short tube gives u more bottom end and mid. I'm not completely sure because it is debateable.

[20th1519]

The difference is exactly how they are described. Shortys are a good replacement for factory exhaust manifolds that bolt right up to the stock exhaust. Long tubes will most likely require you to get an aftermarket H or X pipe to mate up to your factory exhaust. Long tubes will give you more bottom end grunt. I have had both long tubes and shortys on my 302's and prefer long tubes due to the extra torque and the sound. Either way modular 4.6's with exhausts sound nasty.

[FIVEOH]

on a 4.6, shorties won't do ****.
longtubes or bust.

[AMF Racing]

on a 4.6, shorties won't do ****.
longtubes or bust.

i concur......long tubes with catted short x-pipe FTW...

[Intercooled T]

i'll be running shorties with an x-pipe...w or w/o cats, not decided yet

[65stang]

Long tubes for sure!

[JSPERFORMANCE]

ground clearance can sometimes be a problem with long tubes

[C'DALERIDER]

i had long tube hooker headers and catless X-pipe into spintec side exhaust on my old S3roush. It was soooo sweet sounding.

[CHAOS]

the basic concept is about backpressure and scavenging... the longer smaller tubes help with scavenging... which helps up top... shorter headers will increase low to mid range... it all depends on what ur looking for... id say long tube for a drag/partial track car... and shorties for a street car. just my opinion

[05GT]

No matter the application...LT's are 99% of the time better, granted that you get ones that fit correctly.

However, shorties do help low end and improve sound. You WILL see small gains from them.

[Broken5hift]

i got shorties on my camaro and they made a big difference imo. the long tubes give you more power especially up top but you will need ground clearance

[Brazen06]

it really depends on the application. i hear shorties do nothing for a basically stock motor, but with LT's and a tune you could see a nice power jump...shorties are more economical because they're basically a bolton, where as LT need the extra pieces of exhaust to fit right. long tubes will ultimately make more power across the board it all comes down to your preference of sound and the power level your going after.

[sleeperstyle]

dsfsdfaasdf

[PA Z06]

I just did some LG long tubes with high flow cats, and I heat wraped them before install, car sounds great

[twistedlanes]

From what i heard long tube gives u more top end and short tube gives u more bottom end and mid. I'm not completely sure because it is debateable.

I think your thinkin of intake . I can't remember

[fuzionauto]

Long tubes will make more HP & TQ because they merge the cylinders farther down where the exhaust is less turbulant and you will get much less exhaust reversion with much better scavaging.

Read this article it will enlighten you.

http://www.burnsstainless.com/TechArticles/Theory/theory.html

Crap this thread is 2 years old, just realized that, well it is a good article...