Discuss A closer look at BBK Shorty Headers... on AllFordMustangs.com, the place for Mustang enthusiasts.
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Ok, so my shorty headers finally arrived via UPS! I thought it would be fun to do a little write up and take a few pics. I'll be adding exhaust clips (before and after) via youtube as well. Installation is tomorrow...
My impressions. The chrome plating seems very thick to me. There's a little surface rust inside the headers, but nothing major. Each header weighs approximately 9 lbs, could be 10 lbs (weighed them on my bathroom scale). Any idea how much the cast iron manifolds weigh?
The kit comes with all hardware including header bolts.
I took all 16 of these and removed them from the kit. They'll be replaced with Stage 8 locking bolts (just as soon as FedEx delivers them!). Before and after exhaust clips and driving impressions will be posted tomorrow as soon as I get them installed!
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2006 Mustang GT, Automatic
NOS Single Port Wet Nitrous Kit (75 shot)
FRPP 3.73 gears
93 Oct Nitrous Tune from Bama Chips
Steeda Cold Air Intake
Steeda Lower Control Arms
FRPP "Stinger" Axle Back Exhaust
BBK Shorty Headers
19 lbs OZ racing wheels w/ 255/45R18 tires
Ok, so my shorty headers finally arrived via UPS! I thought it would be fun to do a little write up and take a few pics. I'll be adding exhaust clips (before and after) via youtube as well. Installation is tomorrow...
These are the chrome version:
My impressions. The chrome plating seems very thick to me. There's a little surface rust inside the headers, but nothing major. Each header weighs approximately 9 lbs, could be 10 lbs (weighed them on my bathroom scale). Any idea how much the cast iron manifolds weigh?
The kit comes with all hardware including header bolts.
I took all 16 of these and removed them from the kit. They'll be replaced with Stage 8 locking bolts (just as soon as FedEx delivers them!). Before and after exhaust clips and driving impressions will be posted tomorrow as soon as I get them installed!
The headers looked pretty shiny from the factory. I went ahead and polished them once with a little Wenol (AFTER the pics were taken). It's a pretty good metal polish and keep things looking bright for a long time. I use it to polish my exhaust tips.
Correct, these are tuned length as opposed to equal length (JBA) or unequal length (like Ford Racing). I'll get the dimensions in a minute with a measuring tape.
No, I've decided to have a mechanic do these. I decided on the lazy route after hearing the horror stories about self-installation! I'm going to ask for the stock manifolds back. I'm interested in inspecting and weighing them.
Here's a pic of those Stage 8 bolts. $45 seems steep for 16 bolts, but if they keep the headers from backing out, then they're worth their weight in gold.
2006 Mustang GT, Automatic
NOS Single Port Wet Nitrous Kit (75 shot)
FRPP 3.73 gears
93 Oct Nitrous Tune from Bama Chips
Steeda Cold Air Intake
Steeda Lower Control Arms
FRPP "Stinger" Axle Back Exhaust
BBK Shorty Headers
19 lbs OZ racing wheels w/ 255/45R18 tires
Dimensions: Measured left to right in the photograph from the respective port to the collector...
1) Approximately 26 1/2 inches
2) Approximately 8 1/2 inches
3) Approximately 15 1/4 inches
4) Approximately 22 1/2 inches
Outside circumference 5 1/4 inches
Outside circumference of the collector approximately 12 inches
Length from tip to tip about 18 inches, width about 6 inches
2006 Mustang GT, Automatic
NOS Single Port Wet Nitrous Kit (75 shot)
FRPP 3.73 gears
93 Oct Nitrous Tune from Bama Chips
Steeda Cold Air Intake
Steeda Lower Control Arms
FRPP "Stinger" Axle Back Exhaust
BBK Shorty Headers
19 lbs OZ racing wheels w/ 255/45R18 tires
I don't claim to speak from authority, but my understanding is header design is a tradeoff (isn't everything?). Gains can be RPM dependent.
Tuned length headers are designed specifically to produce gains in particular RPM range. If you read this (often quoted) story on the BBK headers, then you'll see they traded a few ponies above 5,500 rpm to produce gains at the lower end. (Yup, they look like they LOST HP at higher RPM. Gains look strong between 3k-5k) Tuned length are generally easier to install than equal length. Look at a photo of the BBK shorties, then look at the JBA...
Equal length make more hp at higher RPM (gains are across the rpm range). I believe they would be the standout choice for forced induction or a heavily modified car, for example. These are a little harder to install, but by how much, I'm not sure.
Unequal length should flow better than the stock manifold and seem to give gains (smaller) across the RPM range. They should be the easiest to install. I don't have the dimensions of the Ford Racing headers, but they look more compact than my BBK's.
Unequal are usually cheapest when comparing material to material. Some unequal length headers will be the same price or more expensive than tuned or equal length, but in that case they are generally made of a better material (My BBK's are chrome over mild steel). Here's a dyno that shows a few ponies gained across the entire band.
Shorty headers remind me of the x-pipe vs. h-pipe debate...another trade off. Some say that x-pipes are for high end horsepower and h-pipes help low end torque. (again, not claiming to be an expert).
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2006 Mustang GT, Automatic
NOS Single Port Wet Nitrous Kit (75 shot)
FRPP 3.73 gears
93 Oct Nitrous Tune from Bama Chips
Steeda Cold Air Intake
Steeda Lower Control Arms
FRPP "Stinger" Axle Back Exhaust
BBK Shorty Headers
19 lbs OZ racing wheels w/ 255/45R18 tires
Before purchasing a set of shorty headers, I spoke with a tech rep at JBA. He said that there was a no more than 1 hp difference between all types/brands of alll shorty headers. With this in mind, I got he BBK cerarmic shorties. The seat of the pants hp gain was not much, but the low end torque increase was a pleasant surprise. They also look better and weigh less than the factory (junk) maniflods. If someone wants to pay more for equal length JBA shorties, that might net a 1 hp gain with a a heavily modified NA or FI set up, go ahead. It doesn't make sense to do so, because with the tremendous power that a heavily modified NA or FI car makes, are you going to feel a 1hp gain? LOL.
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2007 GT: Steeda CAI, UDPs, CMCV delete, BBK shorty headers, Pypes o/r x-pipe, MGW, Fidanza aluminum flywheel, Spydershaft, Eibach sway bars, BMR K-member, FRPP 4.10s, J&M LCAs, adjustable UCA and Panhard bar, Rotorpros brake discs, Hawk HPS brake pads, Steeda stainless steel brake lines and Magnaflows axlebacks, dyno tuned by ST Motorsports: 313 rwhp/318rwtq.
What are the reasons to choose "tuned length" over "equal length" configuration (or vice versa). Are "unequal length" random as opposed to "tuned"?
Unequal flow about the same as the OEM manifolds and are easier to install. Tuned length ensures the exhaust gasses reach the collector at the same velocity which improves performance.
A closer look at BBK Shorty Headers... 
