What is the Difference Between Long and Short Tube Exhaust Headers?
What Is An Exhaust Manifold?
First understanding how your engine works is paramount in order maximizing horsepower and torque. Think of your engine as a giant air compressor. It needs to inhale and exhale air efficiently to give your Mustang the greatest potential for power gains. Just like you, you need to be able to breathe in and out as easily as possible in order to function normally; the same system applies to your engine.
The problem that stock exhaust manifolds have is that they are very restrictive, which causes the exhaust gases to slow down as it leaves the engine into the exhaust system. As the saying goes the more air in, more air out, means more power. But making sure the exhaust gases leave efficiently is the key to maximizing your engine's full potential!
Exhaust backpressure is a crucial variable. Exhaust backpressure is defined by the hydraulic resistance that an exhaust system omits by discharging the spent exhaust gases into the atmosphere.
What Are Headers?
A header is defined by tubes that are connected to each exhaust port on the cylinder head of the engine. It is responsible for carrying exhaust gases out of the engine once the combustion cycle has completed. Headers use a larger diameter tube which helps pull the exhaust gases out more efficiently. This helps relieve back pressure during the collection process. Each tube is usually connected at different lengths because of the spacing from each cylinder port. When all four tubes are connected at the end of a header this is typically called a collector. Most modern headers will come with a merge spike for greater exhaust flow. A merge spike is located on the inside of the collector and allows for smoother, more directional airflow.
Stock manifolds are typically designed to meet EPA guidelines and emissions. What a header does is essentially act as a directional tube for each cylinder to guide the exhaust gases into the exhaust system.
Types Of Headers
- Chrome Headers: are usually a cost-saving approach when stepping into getting a set of headers. They have a show-stopping appearance, give you added horsepower, and give your engine bay the cosmetic upgrade it deserves! Derived from its name, chrome headers allow for a show stopper look while giving you a long-lasting coating that will be there for years to come.
- Ceramic Headers: are an ideal choice when you are performance-oriented and have a little more money to spend within your budget. They have long-lasting corrosion protection, keep your under hood temps as cool as possible, all while giving you the ultimate performance you expect.
- Stainless Headers: Last but not least is stainless headers. These headers are the ones you aim for when all-out performance and quality is your priority! They are known for being the most expensive of the three, and will most likely outlast the life of the car, while giving you the most horsepower gains. Due to being made out of 304 stainless steel they are the least susceptible to rust and corrosion.
What Are Long Tube Headers?
If you are the type of enthusiast that wants to increase power, the RPM power band, overall engine performance, and have the loud pedal on command at all times, then long tube headers are the choice for you! Due to the longer runner design, it allows the exhaust gases to be able to help pull in the air-fuel charge much more efficiently, which will help with the scavenging process during the combustion cycle. This will ultimately help you gain more horsepower and torque when in comparison to a shorty style header.
Some downsides to having long tube headers is they can take up a lot more space when compared to shorty headers. When installing, it is sometimes necessary that you will have to unbolt the Front K-Member, remove the starter, and support the engine with an under hoist stand in order to have better access to the exhaust ports on the cylinder head. Due to modern technology, most long tube headers available on the market today do not require serious modifications for installation.
Most long tube headers will require that you receive a custom tune. This is due to the added airflow and replacement of the factory catalytic converters; whether you go catless or high-flow. Adding a custom tune will allow the PCM (Power Control Module) to balance the correct air-fuel management in the engine, and adjust for the change in cell count for your catalytic converters. This is to ensure your engine sustains its reliability, along with maximizing the most horsepower and torque efficiently.
What Are Shorty Headers?
Most enthusiasts know that the factory exhaust manifold can be extremely restrictive to gaining more horsepower and torque. What a shorty header will do, is allow for a greater diameter runner to allow for more exhaust gases to run efficiently. Shorty headers will solve the problem that most stock manifolds can not.
Some of the major benefits from shorty headers are that it will allow the enthusiast to create more horsepower, and torque than factory, at an entry-level price point with a direct replacement design. Unlike long tube headers, a shorty header allows for much more workroom such as the transmission, starter, and shifter. Additionally, replacing a new clutch and flywheel is going to be a much easier job with a set of short tube headers. This will ultimately save you time and money in the process. Most shorty headers will allow for a factory-connect to the rest of your exhaust system.
One of the biggest downfalls to having shorty headers is that it won't allow for horsepower gains at higher RPM ranges as well as a long tube header setup. However, shortys will provide that low-end torque that all Mustang enthusiasts know and love.
What Header Size Should I Choose?
When it comes to choosing header size, it all really depends on what your goals are for the build. Most commonly 1-3/4” and 1-5/8” are going to be most common for vehicles that are seeking peak gains without breaking the bank, depending on your engine. When you step up to a 1-7/8” or 2” header, this is where the most performance is going to come from the larger diameter. This will allow for the most horsepower and torque gain. If your goal is 1,000 WHP this is going to be your one-way ticket to that magical four-digit number!
Just note that too large of a diameter, can cause a disruption in airflow which will kill your engine performance. While too little can be restrictive, which will kill horsepower and torque. If you need help deciding, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of enthusiasts for guidance on your build!
There are two main types of headers: Shorty and long tube. Understanding the differences between long tube and shorty headers and how they affect horsepower and torque gains will help you pick the best option for your build.
SHORTY HEADERS
Shorty headers are perhaps inappropriately named, because they’re really only short compared to long tube headers. Compared to your stock exhaust manifold, shorty headers still have a much longer tube.
Because of how shorty headers are shaped though, you should still be able to use all of the other components of your exhaust, which makes shorty headers an easy modification.
If you’re driving a turbocharged engine, you will absolutely want shorty headers, but they’re also great for a variety of other drivers. If you’re looking to increase the performance of a vehicle that’s primarily your daily driver or commuter, shorty headers are a good idea.
And no matter what you’re driving, shorty headers should be a considerable step up from your existing exhaust manifold.
With shorty headers, an additional choice you’ll need to make is whether to get unequal or equal length headers. Unequal length headers offer a deeper rumbling sound and a little more low-end torque, but equal length headers offer greater performance gains consistently.
LONG TUBE HEADERS
Long tube headers are best for track cars or other machines that spend most of their time in the higher end of the RPM range. Depending on the style of long tube header, it may require either relocating or else uninstalling the catalytic converter. This is one of the primary reasons that long tube headers are frequently not fifty-state legal. The other reason is the sound.
Although many enthusiasts love the sound of an exhaust outfitted with long tube headers, it’s rarely a popular choice with the neighbors. These headers have a tendency to be incredibly loud.
Long tube headers can also be more challenging to install since they will probably be too long to work with the existing components of your exhaust.
INSTALLING SHORTY HEADERS VS INSTALLING LONG TUBE HEADERS
Installing shorty headers is a great project that you can complete in as little as an hour. The first step is to disconnect the car battery and then lift your vehicle.
Once you’ve completed that, you simply unbolt the mid-pipe from your existing exhaust manifold and then gently connect the headers. Be sure to make sure everything is lined up before you start to torque down the bolts. Then connect your new headers to the mid pipe
That simple.
Because you don't have to uninstall the oxygen sensors or any of the more complex aspects of your exhaust system, the shorty headers should occupy approximately the same space as your former exhaust manifold. You’ll need to retorque the nuts after a short adjustment period, but other than that, there’s nothing to it.
Long tube headers do necessitate having to engage with the more complex aspects of the exhaust system. Though the basic steps are similar to what you'll encounter with installing shorty headers, there are additional steps that make this a more complicated installation.
SHORTY VS LONG TUBE HEADERS
Ultimately, shorty headers are a great choice for people looking to get a little extra performance out of their daily driver or who are currently using a turbocharger. Because of the length of the long tube headers they tend to increase turbo lag substantially, and may negatively impact your performance if you’re using a turbo.
If you’re looking to get substantial performance gains for your track day beast, long tube headers may take longer to install, but they’ll be the right long term choice for you and your build.
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