I finally decided to put headers on the lightning. What kind of set up works best with our trucks? I don't want to lose power and I've heard that some systems will actually decrease horsepower.

 

I'm running the Dynatech long tubes/high flow mid-pipes. Dynatech makes a very complete great fitting kit. Also, I gained ~10-15 hp and ~10-15 tq across the rpm range.

Oh, welcome to the forum.

 

We offer the Kooks Stainless Steel Longtubes. They are 1 5/8" to 2 1/2" collector, come with Mid pipes and high flow cats. If you dont have a catback we offer a Single Muffler, a dual 4x9 Muffler, and the Silverbullet. Everything in the system is Stainless steel and comes with all the hardware like o2 extensions, gaskets, header and collectorbolts. The system will gain approx 20 HP through the midrange and alot more torque. When you reach a certain point with these trucks Longtubes are necessary! Call us for more info or check out our web page www.teamjdm.com .... 732-780-0770

JimIII

 

Thanks guys. I'll definately check out both of those systems.

 

you can always install a set of Bassani SHorty headers.

Just make sure you reserve 3 days for the install.

 

Shorties are a waste of time, and should'nt be takin longer than LT's to install

 

1. equal length shortys are not a waste of time.

IF you look at the stock manifold on the lightning, you will notice it is the same part as the regular 5.4L engine. Now with the supercharger the lightning is pushing a lot more air through it (basically an engine is a giant air pump). and it's bottle necked at the manifolds and even more bottlenecked at the stock cats.
I've heard over and over that shorty's are useless but NEVER saw any proof. I think (based on my experience) that when people replace the stock manifolds with equal length shorty's they leave the stock cats (Hence the bottle neck). With long tubes you have to at least MOVE the stock cats, if not replace them.
Now what I did was add bassani headers with Hi Flow cats, and I can tell you there is a seat of the pants difference and it's flowing more air.

So changing the shorty's alone will add much of a benefit as adding hi flows also.

HOWEVER, I'd like to see the performance imnprovements of someone who added long tubes with STOCK cats. I betcha it won't be that great, if anything at all.

The flow of exhaust is great increased with HI flows, over headers, whether shorty's or long tubes.

2. You've obviously never installed Bassani shorty's. (do a quick search)

 

l-menace is 100% wrong!!!!!!!!!!!! Headers do more than just "getting rid of a bottleneck"...LMAO. Short tube headers are a waste of money...IMHO.

Do it right or don't do it at all.

The more power you make...the more important long tubes become.

Here are a couple links to get you started. Do a google and you will find one study right after another showing long tubes are the better way to go for "real" power.

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/techarticles/29618/

http://www.steedafocus.com/charts/charts10_3.htm

 

FACTS PLEASE?

Show me where a test was performed on a Shorty Equal Length Header!
I'd love to see the stock manifold V shorty header comparison where the shorty's don't flow more or get rid of more heat.

Show me where someone is using stock cats with Long tubes?

Ask any TUNER what the bottleneck of the exhaust is and they'll say the Catalytic convertors. The long tubes get rid of the factory cats, resulting in more flow.
Shorty's RETAIN the factory cats. However, when you add hi-flow Catalytic convertors, POOF! Excellent exhaust flow and cooler combustion chamber temperatures.

I didn't add the shorty's and hi flows for increased power, I added them to lower the combustion chamber temps, same time I added BR-7 plugs to kep it cool

That is a bald and illusory statement to say I'm 100% wrong!
Now prove it, if you can

Facts, not opinions, scientific facts.



This seems appropriate

 

If you click on the links...you will have your facts. This is nothing new. It has been proven over and over again.

Rocks

 

Here is the best part of the test. It may help you to understand why it is not just about getting rid of bends...LOL.

"This is due to the fact that a long tube header can make use of the engine’s exhaust pulses to “pull” exhaust gas from the cylinder, providing optimized scavenging. A short-tube header, with its much shorter primary tubes, simply does not have the same advantage."


Oh, and one pompas *** quoting another is not real impressive. Those of us that know left from right around here, are not impressed by Mr. Skelton.

You two azz clowns really do think your superior to the rest of us around here, don't you. At least that is what comes across in yours and his posts. Save your judgemental comments for someone who cares. You aren't ***** in my world pal.....and neither is your nut hugging buddy Mr. Skelton.

Cheers...azzwipe,

Rocks

 

okay, without stooping to your level of personal attacks and staying with the FACTS!

RE: That article about MAC Long Tube and short tubes
They used UNEQUAL length shorty headers. I'm talking about equal length shorty headers. There is a HUGE difference.

The Dyno chart. I never said anything about Long tubes NOT making more power than shorty's! I'm comparing Shorty headers with Stock manifolds. I know you are trying to twist the facts, but lets TRY to stay on topic, shall we?


SO does anyone have a comparison of EQUAL LENGTH SHORTY HEADERS and STOCK MANIFOLDS? With or WITHOUT hi-flow catalytic convertors.

 

Just like installing a Monster Box with only 3000 miles on the truck.

 

[QUOTE=03LightninRocks]
"This is due to the fact that a long tube header can make use of the engine’s exhaust pulses to “pull” exhaust gas from the cylinder, providing optimized scavenging. A short-tube header, with its much shorter primary tubes, simply does not have the same advantage."

/[QUOTE]


The answer is still the same. Even if the shorties are equal length, they are still at the same disadvantage to long tubes. It is all about scavenging of gasses. Equal length shorties do seem to have the edge over non-equal length shorties, but when it comes to headers....length does matter .

By the by.....you made it personal when you directed that azz clowns judgemental crap at me. Think about what you have done here yourself. A poster asked about headers. You give your opinion of shorties...a couple of us give our opinion on shorties. You realize you wasted your money, so you get all defensive and begin to start up with the lawyer diatribe. "A man in a glass house, shouldn't throw rocks." I know that is not as brilliant as something out of Skeltons book of Bull*****....but it seems to serve the purpose here.


Rocks

 

Any tuner want to jump in and add to this?