equal length shorties?

Topic: equal length shorties? (Read 673 times) previous topic - next topic

equal length shorties?

August 03, 2006, 06:12:45 PM

For the past 5 years, ive heard everyone say "equal length shorties are too hard to install" or "they dont fit well"

I finally want to ask the question, why dont they fit well? what makes them hard to install?

My 5.0 engine bay will be empty, so i dont forsee many clearance issues, and if i can pick up a few more ponies from equal lengths, I feel it would be worth it. Does anyone have an actual experience, or is it all internet hearsay?

equal length shorties?

Reply #1 – August 03, 2006, 07:06:44 PM

long tubes, fit fine and give more power and torque.

equal length shortie headers make it alittle more difficult to get to spark plugs and i think they come closer to the steering shaft. imo for the price, id rather just get the more power from the LT's.

equal length shorties?

Reply #2 – August 03, 2006, 07:43:32 PM

The issue is, long tubes dont allow clearance for k-member braces and things of that sort. I can sacrafice some power to turn.

equal length shorties?

Reply #3 – August 06, 2006, 01:50:18 AM

Equal lenths just make it harder for spark plug changes. It's too bad they stopped making the headers I use. I have nothing but praise for them. They are Hooker Headers part # 6908 and are longer than a shorty, but not a full length. You may be able to find them on line from some places who have old inventory. Mine are comin up on 9 years old and only have slight suface rust. The downside to them is the need for custom pipes. As you can see they clear the steering linkage.

equal length shorties?

Reply #4 – August 06, 2006, 08:00:43 AM

Equal length shorties where the first type of headers I installed. While it wasn't that hard, it certainly doesn't compare to unequals that's for sure. Even long tubes were easier. Although I LOVED the exhaust note and powerband they created, I had to get rid of them for a couple reasons. One, they where made by MAC. Which means you get individual primary s. How swell. IF you don't EVER take them off then you'll be ok. Otherwise plan on fighting those primaries to line up more and more each time you take them off. If it wasn't for this, I probably would still have them on darkthunder. And two, they went every whicha way and something was going to get cooked or hit by header. They hit the frame on the passenger side, steering shaft (flaming river) on the driver's side. I installed urethane motor mounts than that helped some, the headers would catch when I opened up the throttle and turned. Not fun! I shimmed the steering column and trimmed the shaft and dimpled the header to finally get clearance. I gave them to my buddy and he installed them on his Stang and he got burnt clutch cables, spark plug wires, A/C lines... along with the steering shaft snag.

If you get Equal Lengths don't buy MACs!!!

....hate MACs.

equal length shorties?

Reply #5 – August 06, 2006, 11:05:25 PM

Paul were those the Hooker headers made for Birds/Cats? An auto parts store by me says he can get some, from where I don't know.

equal length shorties?

Reply #6 – August 09, 2006, 09:49:22 AM

They were your basic Mustang headers for a 5.0. They cleared the steering linkage and gave no motor mount issues. I just wish I'd have got the ceramic coated ones when they were making them. I have half a mind to call Hooker up to see what they have laying around in old stock and if they have some maybe pickup a set or two, hopefully at a discounted price....