what is the difference between the short tube and long tube headers? i have a 2000 V6 mustang and am going to get headers in the next couple of months. i am also going to switch to dual exhaust. do i need to do the headers before the exhaust or do i need to do both at the same time? thanks!

 

Long tubes are well, "longer" than short tubes so if you want long tubes, you need to get the appropriate mid-pipe (not sure how dual exhaust kits work for V6s). However, shorties will bolt right in. The main difference is in terms of power and legality. Long tubes are generally illegal (though you can probably get away w/ it usually as long as your state doesn't do a sniffer test) but produce almost double the power of shorties, at double the price. However, a properly designed shortie header will outperform long tubes at the upper rpms but chances of seeing that rpm or getting shorties that do that are slim. So, it boils down to two things: How much cash you got and if you can pass inspection.

 

Not being an *** at all, but what kind of gains can a v-6 get from doing long tubes to justify the cost of the headers and install?

 

V6 headers are probably cheaper than ours and since the V6 is a ton narrower than the Mod V8, is no where near as difficult to install as the Mod V8. Also, probably a 20hp is good expectation for the V6 as a power gain (depending on header and combo).

 

Yeah on the sixers you can actually get to all the bolts for the headers. There is a ton more room, but I don't know what power gains would be like or how it would sound. Not putting down the sixers or anything, but I really dont like the sound of them, with or without the dual exhaust.

 

Yeah that's true, there is a lot more room to work with. I guess what 00blkstanggt said is really where I was going with it. But hell, a 20hp increase is pretty damn good.

 

Though I also prefer the sound of American V8, you'd be surprised how many sixers w/ the right stuff actually sound exactly like V8s.

 

thanks a ton on all the info. do any of you know of a good website or somewhere to order some good short tube headers?

 

Mac or v6mustangstuff.com

 

if you go to the v6 section we have a sticky on exhaust mods and headers etc.. at the top of the page. it has all the answers you need.