The "other stuff" has been moved to off topic. This is a good discussion about headers and it needs to remain on topic.
I think, after owning long tubes, that the main difference is long-tubes hit the ground on speed bumps, and short tubes do not. That is a VERY important difference.
Excelant point... I have yet to cut my coils, so mine are kinda high at this time...about 6-8 inches from the ground.
I have right at 3" on level ground Makes navigating parking lots a challenge (just like everything else about driving a Maverick).
That's pretty much what I gather. I think I'm going to go with the new shortys on my car. Losing a little low end torque seems like a fair trade for not ripping the exaust off the first time I go over a speed bump. I've talked to the other Jamie and like what I hear.
With stock ride height, I've only hit my exhaust clamp bolt one time, not the headers. I was going about 65, hit a bump where they were repaving the road up to the bridge... oops. My biggest issue is fitment. Mine would be fine with a C4, but the AOD throws all kinds of kinks into the situation.
I know the factory offered stock stainless steel "shorty headers" on the 86-93 mushfangs and every tom dick and harriet recreated them.. but all the fast guys run full length funny that.. as for power long tubes are more "tuned" and are closer to what the engine wants now as for food for thought zoomie headers (dragsters and funky cars) make less torque and power then a correctly built collectored header (think prostock they can have what they want for headers and use collectors) about the only use I can see for shorty headers is face them forward and hook a pair of turbos on the end of them.. or a quiet street car more intrested in looks and convienence then performance. IMHO
I would go with a shorty, or 3/4 length if I did it all over. I would like to get the flange above the lowest part of the car. That is what hits. But, I have to admit that my car has an aggressive profile, when you see the flanges just barely missing the ground from the side.
reason why is headers scavenge your engine better then log manifolds and leans your motor out overall enough to require rejetting and retuning > hate that don't you more power thru better airflow and more fuel..
Mine might be a tad lean while cruising, but it certainly isn't lean when the squirters are going. I actually leaned out the accelerator pump a bit to prevent some stumbling. It could probably use a bit more tuning, but its pretty close. The exhaust certainly doesn't smell lean.
whats a "fat" exhaust smell like I wonder..:evilsmile I could go into a long esoteric densly informative way into how to tune that lean stumble out ..maybe I shall make another magnum opus threads for you guys to graz.. gaze upon and pontificate and obfiscurate over..
I think headers are like anything else on these cars... What works good for one is not so good for another. No reason. My 75 was lowered about an inch up front, had 6901s and deep sump Moroso pan, and I never scraped or had issue with reduced turning radius.
Go with 1-7/8" primaries, 3" collectors, and 4" exhaust pipes with gutted mufflers. That will make you a real man, and it will make up for any inadequacies you may have in other areas... :evilsmile
