I have been considering installing headers on my car for quite some time now. Everyone says to go with long tubes, but is this a good choice for a motor that is basically stock? (cold air intake, 160 thermo). I have been looking at the FLP's which are really nice, but how will the motor react to this mod? Will I lose low-end torque? How much horsepower should I expect to gain? Will my car pass emissions? (I plan on running cats). Are SLP shorties a better option? Any advice is appreciated!

 

I've heard nothing but good reviews from FLP headers. You'll see some very signifigant gains but I don't know that much to be able to give you numbers. Someone will post them though, just be paticent.

 

Go with the FLP's,they have the emissions.You will gain torque not lose it.I would guess 25 -30HP.I put Hooker LTs on when I was competely stock and it was a very notiable gain.

 

FLP's are a very good choice, but if you descide shorties I'd go with SLP's, my FLP's rusted after half a year.

 

If you are looking at going longtubes and need to stay emissions legal then I would go FLP's. If you want to go with shorties than I would go with MAC's.

 

Despite what some people may say, you do lose lowend torque (but not really). Here's what happens:

You lose back pressure that the engine hadwith manifolds. Peak torque on our engines stock is 2400rpm. With less back pressure, your peak torque moves up the power band to 3000-3500rpm approximately (in my case and in the case of others I know with headers). However, you will have higher torque numbers than before at a higher rpm. The reason you'll feel a little lack of bottom end is because the peak torque comes in a little higher.

So, you'll gain torque and hp, but the lowend may feel slugish for 800rpm or so compared to with out headers.

 

If you are going to end up with a stroker, big cam, or major head work, go for thelong tubes and get them coated. If youare just doing a few bolt ons but not anything that is really serious, get the shorties (easier to pass inspection and easier/less expensive to install). Also get these coated.

 

I sat on the fence for several years going back and forth about longtubes. I finally talked to a pro and was convinced that for the money and effort involved, the wise choice was the Hooker longtubes. I said screw waiting any longer and plopped down the $$$.

After several other simple mods, plugs, wires, coil, maf port, tb bypass, and dynotuning I gained 66 rwhp! Granted the car was a dog on the baseline tune, but the tubes made a REAL difference. Here's a link to the dyno sheet. Keep in mind that the Mustang dyno is very conservative and was done at 6000 ft.

BTW: the plug access with the Hookers is fantastic compared to the SLPs (which are reportedly worse than stock access...).

http://www.webpeak.com/~tony/dyno.htm

 

The FLP's will pass the emissions blow, but will fail the visual test. Thats because the cats are moved to a different location other than the stock one.

 

That really depends on where you get the test done. Here they are pretty strict and they just look to see if it has cats and do the dyno sniff test. Here, lots of really hot cars pass if they have cats and are tuned somewhat lean for the test.

 

SlickBlack Z: Since we both live in the **** Germany of emissions testing(Still not as bad as CA) Longtubes are not emissions legal. They can pass the dyno sniff test, but fail the visual. If you have a friend who does inspection, you should be able to get away with it. I am at the same crossroads myslef

 

Hey everyone...thanks for all the responses. I do have a friend that I could get to inspect the car, so that wont be a problem...as long as it passes the sniff test. One other concern...how well do the pipes(and cat)fit under the car on the driver side? Will there be clearance problems with anything under there? Will I scrape my pipes on driveways and speedbumps? My car is not lowered, but Im still worried.

 

They do hang a little lower than stock and you have to be careful over speedbumps, etc.