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Headers?

878 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  54deuce
So from what I hear, it seems as if many people don't get much horsepower by adding long tube headers. Is it really worth all the work and money if you are just running a stock motor or should I wait till I build a higher output 4.6L?
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What sucks is doing a clutch or any trans work with the long tubes in the way. Maybe Mid length headers I dont know if they make them? You do pickup power with the longtubes I dont Know how much other people will chime in.
BlackBullitt2615 said:
So from what I hear, it seems as if many people don't get much horsepower by adding long tube headers. Is it really worth all the work and money if you are just running a stock motor or should I wait till I build a higher output 4.6L?
Yes, it is worth the work. You will not think so when you are doing it, but you drive it you will forget all the cursing, skinned knuckles, and missing tools that you threw across the shop ;) I swore I would never do it again when I finished, but it would be one of the first things I did if I bought another one.
01GTB said:
Yes, it is worth the work. You will not think so when you are doing it, but you drive it you will forget all the cursing, skinned knuckles, and missing tools that you threw across the shop ;) I swore I would never do it again when I finished, but it would be one of the first things I did if I bought another one.

Thanks man! This has helped in my decision alot! I wanted to get some BBK longtubes until someone told me I had to unhook the motor and tilt it to each side to install them, now all I want to do is get a lift lol! I hate laying on the ground for long periods of time working on a car! Well actually....I do like working on my Bullitt so ill be ok! How long did it take you? Weekend project?
I did it over the course of 4 or 5 nights. Probably 12 hours total. I used the bigger jack stands in order to get the car up high enough to make it a little easier. Nothing is terribly complicated about the job, just time consuming. I did have some help on a couple of occasions. Putting the k-member back in was on of them. No matter how difficult it looks to drop the suspension out, it doesn't compare to trying to do it with it in the car.
i got long tubes on my car and an o/r x pipe at the same time. i can't chime in on how much extra hp i made but i can tell a difference. i like the sound. all i need now is a catback and a tune. oh i also got a new clutch and 4.10 gears. i'm feeling mostly the gears and not the headers but the sound is great.
UDBullitt said:
i got long tubes on my car and an o/r x pipe at the same time. i can't chime in on how much extra hp i made but i can tell a difference. i like the sound. all i need now is a catback and a tune. oh i also got a new clutch and 4.10 gears. i'm feeling mostly the gears and not the headers but the sound is great.

Yea mine already has the 3.73 gears and supposedly a new clutch so hopefully all I will have to do is headers! Anything else that I should do while I have all the suspension taken apart?
well if you get long tubes you will need a new mid pipe. you need to decide if you want and x or an h pipe. also you might change your tranny fluid while you are at it. what do you mean supposedly it has a new clutch? did you buy it just now or what? If it is new then I guess your good there. If I were you I would buy a new tubular k member. I would have but didn't have the funds. new cat back also. buy an sct xcal tuner for the speedo cal and for some more hp. make sure to vary your speed on the hwy after you install the headers. this will help with the seals
anymore questions for me pm me bc im going to bed.
After about 15+ hours I started to regret trying to put them on (with out dropping the K, and 22 hours total install). All I have to say it is so worth it. The sound is amazing, its almost indescribable how awesome it sounds. I used to find it hard not to rev up the bullitt now with the long tubes, its impossible not to. Noticed a big power gain, but not sure if that's because I also got a programmer at the same time.
After about 15+ hours I started to regret trying to put them on (with out dropping the K, and 22 hours total install). All I have to say it is so worth it. The sound is amazing, its almost indescribable how awesome it sounds. I used to find it hard not to rev up the bullitt now with the long tubes, its impossible not to. Noticed a big power gain, but not sure if that's because I also got a programmer at the same time.
I put the best headers I could find,didn't want fitment issue or corrsion problems,and wanted a good power and torque making design...went with the Kooks!
Did the install,in my shop,dropping the K-member is the way to go. Before you drop the K-member,scribe some location lines around the flange areas,to help with reinstallation. I went a step further and drill 2, 1/4 inch dia. locating holes,at the rear mounting flange. These were slip fit holes,and by using 2 pins,you line it up,slip the pins in, then tighten up the bolts,then remove pins. It is right back in it's place!
If you don't have a CAI kit,get a good one,like a JLT, to improve intake airflow,plus a good tune.
These steps really woke up my Bullitt!
Mus408 said:
I put the best headers I could find,didn't want fitment issue or corrsion problems,and wanted a good power and torque making design...went with the Kooks!
Did the install,in my shop,dropping the K-member is the way to go. Before you drop the K-member,scribe some location lines around the flange areas,to help with reinstallation. I went a step further and drill 2, 1/4 inch dia. locating holes,at the rear mounting flange. These were slip fit holes,and by using 2 pins,you line it up,slip the pins in, then tighten up the bolts,then remove pins. It is right back in it's place!
If you don't have a CAI kit,get a good one,like a JLT, to improve intake airflow,plus a good tune.
These steps really woke up my Bullitt!
Yea I have a densecharger system for the cai, is that a good one? I have never seen another one so I have no clue if it is good or not! All these mods were done b4 I got the car so now im just trying to straighten everything out and upgrade myself! Thanks for the help!
Of course if you have some extra funds,and patience,you could wait till Spring,and bolt on the hot new TFS 2V heads,while doing the header install. That will make your Bullitt talk!!
So putting long tubes on your car wasnt to much exhaust? Did you feel any torque loss from a launch does it bog or anything. id hate to get my shorty headers to find out long tubes really dont hurt it much. i plan on getting a tune too shorty after i get m y headers and throtttle body....twin 62mm or 65???
Long tube headers tend to increase torque thru out the range,providing you choose the correct tube size for the RPM range. The amount of HP increase,depends on the airflow thru the engine,how restrictive the factory manifolds were.
The 2V engines will show a little more HP increase,with headers,over a 3V engine,because the 2005+ Mustangs had a better designed exhaust manifold setup.
When tuning for good HP,with a N/A setup,every little HP helps.
Hurt the bottom end? I never noticed it. Of course, with gears I don't know if you would notice a very little loss of torque at low rpm since you spend such a little bit of time there on the way up. As far as performance, I don't see a downside to longtubes.
I already have 373's i just was scared of the thought of spending all that money on longtubes and a new mid pipe, and all that time putting them in and it just bogging from a stop and being a slow goat only good for top end
This is my car with bbk long tubes, bbk o/r x pipe and stock bullitt cat back.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v...st and Mods/?action=view&current=DSCN2010.flv
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