I just built a 393 for my Mustang and it is in a completely different league than my Mav. Torque is a wonderful thing.
Well, I got the donor Stang and I just ordered the Hedman 88-650s from Summit (1 5/8" primaries, 3" collector) I'm going to give them a try and see how they work with a 351W in a Mav with shaved towers. I'm hoping for the best. When I actually get some time to cut the towers, swap engines, put on the headers, etc, I'll let you guys know how they work. -Corbin
My company has been making 351 w swap headers for 30 years for the Maverick. They are not Mustang headers, and they are not shortys nor do they hang to low for street use. They were designed on the Maverick/Comet for street use with no cutting of the car. We've been in buisness since 1963 doing engine swap headers for lots of cars. Word of mouth is all the advertising we have ever done, but in the cyber age, I guess I need to let people that we are out there with what they need. Tubular Automotive in Rockland Mass is who and where we are.
with the Tubular Automotive i have seen the primarys are small and the ones say somthing about you have to raise the engine up 2 inches with mounts you have to buy and so then you have to cut the hood i had a set i did not have to raise the engine ..they was so pinched off i think the stock iron folds would flow better..when you make a set of 1" 3/4s for around 500 let me know
Hi Tubey, I know about the Tubular Automotive headers and have considered them, but I am wanting a bigger primary tube and so that why I am going with other headers and making them fit since I had such good luck with them before of them. Also long tubes are cool, but I feel are a bigger pain in the butt than they are worth in a Mav for a street car. I also have power steering and the whole drop bracket thing is pretty sketchy in my opinion - just more stuff lower to the road, and another thing which could go wrong. I also don't like the fact that you have to mess with the motor mounts etc. It just creates more problems. Design a bigger primary longtube that fits with no mods needing to be done to anything and works with power steering and has good ground clearance and maybe I'll switch. As of now, I love my shorties. -Corbin
I've heard that the advantage of shorty headers is that you can lower the car and not have a problem with the headers hitting, but what is the advantage of long tube headers? More torque or horsepower? Thanks -Erick
Long tubes make more low end torque than the shorties, while shorties make more top end horsepower than the long tubes. -Corbin
I would have to dissagree! Long tubes have been proven to be better all the way through the powerband. Shorties are better when it comes to cost, weight, noise, clearance but nothing more.
Everyone has an opinion... I have heard many, many things about the two types of headers. Everyone I've talked with usually agrees that shorties preform more at the top end (with horsepower) while long tubes perform more for low end torque. I am not saying that the long tubes don't produce horsepower, but simply that as a general rule shorties biggest attribute is that they produce more at the top end ( with horsepower), where long tubes primary attribute is greater torque towards the low end. I am not talking about the whole powerband, just telling Eric what each type of header is know for. -Corbin P.S. Shorties are better for more than just what you said. They do perform too. If they didn't, no one would make or buy them.
the 2 header types can't be compared apples-to-apples. Most shorties have smaller tubes and a smaller collector that restrict actual gas flow to an extent. Their primary purpose is to allow ground clearance. If shorties made more power on top, how come you never see them used in cars like NASCAR, World of Outlaws, Indy, F1, etc...even drag racing. If you were after ALL of the available power/torque, go with a 180 deg. header. Best of both worlds, but a PITA to build/find/install.
Thanks for the info on the shorty headers. I'm just trying to decide on which type to get for my 302 Grabber, which will be mainly a street car that I want to be respectable at the track. I was originally planning on getting long tubes to help with low end torque of the engine that will be very mild, but if it doesn't matter much for street cars, maybe I could go with the shorty headers? Are shorty headers generally quieter and easier to install?
For street crusing, Tri-Ys would be cool. They have smallish tubes (1.5"-1.625") and small collectors (2.5") along with easy install and good street manners. These were used stock on Shelby cars and are popular with the Mustang crowd. I have never heard of them being used on a Mav, but it should be a direct bolt in. Dave
