already have shortys but debating switching to long tubes, is the difference noticeable? any input/reviews on these? http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...rder=Ascending I will post pics of my current exhaust tomorrow!!

 

I've never noticed any power difference when swapping from manifolds to headers on a close to stock truck. Those long tubes will sound alot better then shortys though

 

Do you have the factory y pipe still on it? If you do make a new one out if 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes. If you don't have the factory y and still want long tubes and don't need the shorties and they are still in good shape pm me

 

shortys to long tubes will put a grin on your face, but it wont be from power. it makes the pedal feel much more crisp and responsive, which will also lead to better fuel economy. no single thing you do to that 302 will work miracles, but long tubes will be the single most effective mod you could do to any of these trucks.

do yourself a favor and get pacesetter. theyre well worth the extra price over the other header names. also, consider doing your engine mounts while youre in there. engine mounts are a crucial element in header clearance and fitment, as well as y-pipe fit. the y pipe will be tight, you don't want sagging motor mounts in the fitment equation.

shortys are pointless, unless theyre installed as an alternative to a cracked or ruined manifold (theyre almost the same price new)

 

right now I've got the pacesetter shortys from summit and they fit very well. But summit only offers hedman long tubes for my 96. this is my exhaust set up now.

this is the view of both headers but mainly the passenger side, you can see the starter.
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psc0cfcb72.jpg

this is the drivers side
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psf94f3c97.jpg

I have duals until this y pipe which is underneath where my bench seat would be. then it goes into the si/so dynomax bullet
http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/...psaaae3c94.jpg

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ps...50?prefilter=1

these should fit.

 

is there a problem with the hedman full lengths? I mean there 100$ cheaper and I had some issues with leaks with my pacesetter shorties.

 

I have Hedmans right now.. The only issue I have is one of the primaries right on the passenger side frame rail. Can either ding the primaries or grind a lil off the frame..

Clears trans linkages etc just fine.. (AOD)

Just remember to be ready to pay for the entire exhaust to be redone

 

why must the entire exhaust be re done? I mean I made the y pipe that's on it now, just custom mandrel bends. So I planned on just cutting it up then keeping the rest of the pipe but just sliding the straight portion. Can you understand the set up from the pics?. What did you notice from the long tubes, performance and sound wise.

 

Well you'll have to move everything back.. Honestly easier to redo completely than adjust what's there...

Performance it helped some. My biggest help was exhaust..

But my 5.0 in no way is stock

 

I know the stock exhaust is kind of a killer on the 5.0's especially. From what I've learned exhaust and gearing wakes them up quite well. I'll try to explain my set up a little better.
The y pipe is long, I don't have a cat. The pipe from the left header comes down past the oil pan then shoots across the cab to just inside the frame, the right header pipe just drops down and goes straight back. The two don't meet up and go into 1 pipe until its even with the exterior door handle. It then goes into a Dynomax Bullet (which is from what I was told a glorified glasspack) then it exits right by the start of the bed, before the right rear tire. The y pipe is 2 1/2 inch pipe then once it meets it is 3 inch

 

I would just redo the whole system if you change. It will be much easier with new pipe. Plus exhaust piping is relatively cheap, even for stainless.

 

I know the pics make the pipe look rough but its all mud that exhaust has maybe 200 miles on it, so the pipe is new but I mean new pipe wouldn't hurt, but I don't need to replace my muffler to do I?

 

You could reuse the muffler. I just thin it will be easier to bend new pipe to the right arrangement than to try and reuse pipes that were bent for a shorty header system.

 

I hear ya, im just gonna save what I can I guess