Headers?

[Race_Red_5Oh]

Do headers really make a difference like everyone claims? Or is it BS? Cause I was looking into headers for more of a performance upgrade but i read some posts online and some said it was an amazing upgrade an some said they didn't get any gain from upgrading them. Just looking for some input. Also, what type of header would I need longtube or shorty. My current exhaust setup is ... Stock headers -> Pypes offroading X Pipe -> Magnaflow "MagnaPacks" Catback. If I changed the headers what would be the difference ? Most likely loudness and what else? Trying to avoid modifying parts to make headers fit also. Any help would be great! FYI the install would be done by myself considerin I have a lift in my garage so I can easily get underneath my car. And I've got plenty of tools. I have a SCT tuner chip from AmericanMuscle in my car as well would I need to reprogram the chip or no?

***1999 GT w/ 127XXXmi, mostly stock.***

 

[The Bone]

what year car?

on my 98gt it opened up 11rwhp which isnt a ton of hp...but the ford racing shortie headers i put on were a total of 28lbs lighter(never see that advertised)

also the stock 98 manifolds had a wavy exhaust flow pattern which i found out was for noise rediction. the straight flow of the new headers was louder and the throttle response was alot better

short conclusion...
there were alot of benefits on my 98gt by putting on shortie headers

 

[MineralGray02K]

If you have the choice I would say go with long tubes. I've seen a lot of people with great results from long tubes. Here is what a set of new American Racing Headers did for my car http://www.newyorkmustangs.com/forums/arh-t21648.html

I ran MAC long tubes for 8 years and had a 'custom' (AKA a hacked up) h-pipe but it did the job. That thread I linked you to is what the ARH headers gained from the MAC headers. I was pretty shocked with the results. Your cat back should be fine but I'm pretty sure you will need to pick up another h or x pipe or start cutting some pipes

 

[ShelbyGT]

i did kooks long tubes on mine. picked up 17 rwhp on the car ( mostly stock at the time).

definately get a long tube from a quality company as some of the cheaper ones won't allow you to pull the trans without removing atleast one header

 

[Race_Red_5Oh]

So if I get longtube headers, I will need to change what else ? The midpipe? Is their a "shorty midpipe" or can I just Hal the off roading xpipe

 

[Race_Red_5Oh]

So if I get longtube headers, I will need to change what else ? The midpipe? Is their a "shorty midpipe" or can I just cut the off roading x pipe I have there now? Trying to spend the least amount of money, on a tight budget.

 

[ShelbyGT]

i would by the matching mid pipe from the same company you buy the headers from so that everything fits good

but if you have some fabrication skills you could modify your existing mid pipe to work with the long tubes to save some money