Long Tube vs. Short Tube

[2crunk]

I know there are alot of threads that talk about short tubes and long tubes. I am getting an off-road x-pipe (probally here in a couple weeks), and i dont know if i should save for long tube headers or keep it stock. I know the factory ones are just about efficient as short tubes, so i am not so much leaning towards short tubes, but is the extra $ for long tubes actually worth it? Will i be able to feel any difference at all? I already have an aftermarket cat-back exhaust, so should i stay factory and just add the x-pipe or add long tubes w/x-pipe?

P.S. Just incase you haven't checked, i own a '03 GT.

[GTStang]

I would recommend against an off-road x or h-pipe on your year car. Besides the check engine light coming on which can get be got rid of through mil eliminators or a chip. It can cause problems with how the engine runs. I would shell out the extra cash for one with cats and not take the risk of my nice new 03 running bad or worse happening.

[Cobra01TT]

So I shouldn't get some Hooker off-road long tubes? I was thinking of ghetto-rigging some hi-flow 3" cats on the back of the collecter.

[brentmcq]

I talked to a guy locally that runs performance shop exclusively for mustangs. Going with after market headers will only gain you a few hp and that's for the long tube and they are hard to get in. Better off getting a Bassani Xpipe with cats along, a good cat back, 373 gears, and it you can afford it a Procharger. There is very little performance difference with or without cats so save yourself a headache.

[GTStang]

There is nothing wrong with long tube headers that will hurt the car just make sure to get one's with 02 bungs or have some welded in and put the 02 sensors back.

It's going without cats that can cause trouble. Hi-flow cats are fine and the hp difference between those and none is minimial. They days of throwing the cheap off-road h-pipe on your 5.0 motor aren't good for the more finely tuned 4.6 motor and computer.

Also LT headers on a 4.6 especially the 4VCobra are a nice part. It will definetly show some tenth droppage in the 1/4 mile. Also everything is a building block... S/C, Turbo, Nitrous, Heads, cams all will get you more power with a nice set of LT than w/o them.