5.0 shorty equal length headers

[freddiehebert]

So is there a problem using the 5.0 shorty equal length headers on my roadster? Is it worth the time and effort will I gave a lil HP? Please advise

Thanks in advance Freddie

[steno]

I personally think they look like crap. But really...they will make getti g to your plugs almost impossible with the explorer gt40p heads.

[David Townsend]

Do a search on the equal length headers. If I recall correctly, the last time this came up, the gist was there were no appreciable horsepower gains from equal length shorties over the standard shorty headers. They look cool (Steno obviously disagrees) and they make getting to the plugs more of pain that it already is.

[GWL]

Freddie,

It looks like you have a '96 Explorer engine, so it should have the GT-40 head and not the GT-40p head. The 'P' head started in early '97 so the spark plug problem with your head should not be a problem.

However, Ford Racing now makes their standard (not equal length) shorty headers to make it work better with the plugs in the GT-40p head.

That being said, using shorty headers with fuel injection allows you to mount your O2 sensor on the catalytic converter or 'J' pipe closer to the engine which will give you a better reading. I am assuming you are using the fuel injection from the Explorer engine.

Using shorty headers also allows for enlarging both drivers and passengers footbox. This is what I've done but had some interference with the Ford Racing shorty header interfering with the passenger engine mount. I think I solved this by adding two grade 8 washers between the passenger engine mount and block.

George

[306rangerfordguy]

I could not use them with my Mark IV. They would have required a lot of metal work on the drivers side to get them to fit. My nonequal length shortys fit fine. I personally don't think there is that big of a power gain by using them, and if you do use them the spark plugs will be very difficult to get to. If you are concerned with power gains, you might want to step up to the full length headers.

[Cobra 302]

I have them on my car.

Pushrod Boss block 8.2" block.
Trick flow wedge heads.


I have no issues getting to the plugs.
I think they look good.