ok well, i know a little bit about longtube and short tube headers. but i want to know which one to go with. i want my 2000 v6 mustang to scream!. i was looking at MAC and BBK headers. those seem to be the most popular headers. though for longtubes, from my understanding u need to take off ur cat's, is that true?. my current exhaust set up is true duals. No, i do not have an off road H-pipe or Off road X-pipe. so should i go with long tube mac headers, or bbk shorty headers? i really want my v6 to scream. please help. any advice would be great.
If you don't have any emissions testing, then go for the long tubes. You can have a shop make a custom mid pipe w/ a pair of cats installed it you like (i had mine like that originally, but had them removed). Long Tubes sound better and actually gives some gains (6-8hp or so I believe) whereas shortties don't do either of those. If you have emissions testing, then keep your stock ones if they aren't cracked. If they are, get some stock ones off a 95-98 (they flow slightly better and won't crack, plus they are $200 cheaper).
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2001 True Blue Mustang V6:
MAC CAI, True Dual Flow 40's w/ MAC Long Tube Headers and turn downs right before the bumper, 15% tint, Eibach pro kit, Tokico HPs, Detroit Tru Trac, FRPP 3.73s, Diablo Predator w/ custom tuned by Mike, v3 vap windstar kit. Waiting to be installed: Steeda short throw shifter.
Hey NewsStang, just like some of the previous posts, since we live in NJ, emissions testing is gonna be a pain! I was wanting LT's also, but, I knew inspection will fail me! We have no other choice than to go short... unless you know someone who does inspection and passes you. I ordered bbk shorties a couple of days ago and installing them mananna.
also, you mentioned that you wanted your v6 to be louder? What kind of mufflers do you have currently? Maybe you should try loudmouth from AM. I think those mufflers are open straight through. I could be wrong, but I know they are much louder than flowmasters. Just a thought.
to the OP do not remove your MAF the engine wont know what air/fuel ratio it is putting together and itll result in pretty big power losses. as for the exhaust do not go over 2.5" diameter piping as you lose too much backpressure and torque... shorty headers give no apparent power gains over stock manifolds long tubes give some power not sure how much nor even why which i hope someone can explain to us.. thats about all i know on the situation.. and if someone could enlighten us all to the sound difference between the two, to get back on topic, thatd be sweet
Hey NewsStang, just like some of the previous posts, since we live in NJ, emissions testing is gonna be a pain! I was wanting LT's also, but, I knew inspection will fail me! We have no other choice than to go short... unless you know someone who does inspection and passes you. I ordered bbk shorties a couple of days ago and installing them mananna.
yea i know a guy who would pass me, i live somewhat in a ghetto town lol, so yeah. but i have flowmasters as mufflers right now.
I just had a thought.... I think in NJ, the inspections here is changing from a 2 year to a 4 year inspection. So, if you really want LT's, then, wait till after you next inspect and get them installed after being checked. Now, you'll have 4 years till your next inspect! But I could be wrong......
Hope im not to late...Want that v8 sound ? or close to it...Try MAC longtubes, Magna flow Offroad X pipe, and 40 series flowmaster Mufflers....Great sound.
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2004 40th Anniversary..Custom V6 3.9 MONSTER
Vortech Supercharger, 3:73 Gears, Custom CAI, Off road H pipe no catts to mufflers by PYPES, SCT tunner, Stage 2 Spec Clutch, Stage 2 rebuilt cam, Rebuilt Motor.
Longtube or Shorttube headers?? i need help!! 
