We all know that long tubes are the way to go, but for those of use who don't want to invest $800.00 in a set of long tubes, the question becomes:

Should I get a set of shorties, or just stick with my Stock manifolds?

I'm running a 6# lower and ported Eaton, so I'd like to free up the exhaust to keep detonation at bay. I can afford to lose a little torque and hp in the swap. I'd rather be safer than more powerful.

Also, Anyone ever "remove", "hollow out" the pre-cats?

what is your experience with shorties, will they help me get to my goal of freeing up the exhaust?

Do they flow better than the stock manifolds?

will they bolt right up to the stock midpipes?

Anyone have a used set they want to get rid of?
if so e-mail me, wikdsvt at gmail dotcom

 

--With long tubes you have to buy cats/midpipes so the cost is approx $1250.

--How does running any sort of header help reduce detonation??

--Shorties are made to bolt right up to whatever comes after the manifold.
FYI........JBA shorties range from $890-$1150 for just the headers.

--Joe

 

Please don't believe the theory of backpressure causing our rods to break. Thats just a way to sell more exhaust systems. Believe me Turbo vehicles have alot more backpressure than these trucks have.

 

here's my thinking.

Detonation causes the rods to break.
To further prevent detonation we use cooler plugs (tr-6, br-7)
If a header will flow more exhaust than a stock manifold, More HOT exhaust gases will flow quicker from the combustion chamber.

The cooler I can keep the combustion chamber the better.

 

one more question.


Will regular 5.4L F150 shorty headers fit and line up with the lightnings exhaust?

 

I think our stock exhaust flows better than most people think. Your not choking it up enough to make a difference. I drive my truck everyday no matter the outside temps and I'm putting about 480 to the wheels. I've never detonated.

 

If you want I have a set of shorties made by Pace Setter that I am close to takeing off when I get my Long Tubes on. I will sell them to you for $50 Shipped. I don't have anything in them so Im not at a loss. They were on the truck when I bought it.

 

Edit.. I did a quick search and found my answer..

Yes I will take them. Consider them sold.

Can you e-mail me details?

wikdsvt @ gmail.com

(without the spaces)

 

Don't sell them to him I can see it now 1 case of Bud light 2 hands bandaged from cuts and a whole after noon to put them on in the truck.


This ones gonna cost you Mark

 

Don't forget the polished MP on top!

I'll bring the beer and GLOVES!

 

About your other question, I gutted all four cats. And I have the equal length headers. With a flowmaster catback, it is VERY loud. The cab is loud as hell now. I like it, but my wife won't ride in the truck anymore.

 

Yes they will fit. Also, JBA headers do not start at $890. They are as cheap as $650. Do a search and you'll probably get them for even less than that. And 2bscrewed is also right about the stock manifold flowing well. If you really want to save money and pick up power, then go get a set of the magnaflow hi-flow cat pipe system and bolt it up to your existing manifolds. You WILL feel a big difference. Its the cats that rob 90% of your exhaust power....not the headers.

 

I thought about that, but I thought all the hi-flow cats seemed to rattle themselves to pieces.

Which one's don't fall apart

 

I have stock exhaust manifolds and a magnaflow single muffler with internal x pipe.

I had the stock mid pipes removed, and the front pup cats replaced with straight pipe. It is somewhat louder, and didn't seem (SOTP) to lose any low end torque. No, I didn't dyno the change. This gives you a system with less back pressure, doesn't set any codes, and the cats last. Plus it's MUCH cheaper than aftermarket high flow cat mid pipes.

 

I have 2 sets of hi flow at my shop Mark I think one is the mag's that are on my truck and the others are from LFP. I'm taking my cats off and going with the LFP ceramic coated LT and flowmasters with an X pipe and 3" exhaust LT back.

I'll be setting off a few car alarms going by!

The Bassani shorty I had sonded good to me with flow masters and no cats. They had that big block wrap type sound. The only person I ever had tell me they did not like the sound was JLP at Norwalk last year!