Fox85

Im trying to find headers for my 85 stang that are 50 state smog legal.

skunk21

you would have to call BBK but I'm 99% sure they are not. Ford racing isn't, JBA, MAC, etc also are not. not a ton of gains from a shorty vs a long tube and w/o any real engine mods even then they aren't worth the hassle ( the long tube that is). If you want factory headers that are smog legal and will get the state off your back I have something that may help.... In '87 the mustang got the best revised factory "shorty" header out at the time and it really does offer a gain ( an easy 7hp) on the older motors with the cast iron headers used thru late '85. These are a cheaper alternative and again are factory smog legal production parts back them with a nice free flowing 50 state legal cat back system and you will have a pretty nice exhaust for your '85 imo. you can find them on ebay all the time.

Fox85

Yea well I'm stock right now, but I'm thinking about doing a exhaust system. So I was just going to probably run shorty bbk headers and then just take it to a shop and get the rest of the piping done. After I rebuild my car I'm fer sure going to run long tube headers.

AlsCobra

At least go with the equal length shorties if you're going with shorties.

Fox85

I hear the equal length headers can be a pain trying to get them bolted in?

skunk21

I know where Al going with the equal lengths, they offer more hp over unequals but do not do it. The tubes on the passenger side get very close to the body/strut, frame rail section and bake of the paint. many, many years ago when this was a more popular mod this problem popped up. when the paint gets brittle the bare metal gets exposed and rust can start. I have seen this first hand, so you can believe me or not. Like I stated a set of later stock headers or aftermarket shorties will net you a gain over your stock ones now, if you want the biggest bang just go long tubes.

Fox85

Will headers off of an 95 5.0 fit on my 85 5.0?

skunk21

Shorty headers from the '95 will fit the fox but you have to block of the EGR fitting, the fox headers do not have the EGR fitting like the sn95 does.

Fox85

Alright I see, I think ima go with the bbk shorty headers and later down the road when i rebuild my engine I'll go with long tube heads

Fox85

I know with the upgraded headers I will get a little more hp, but I want to know if it will change how my car sounds?

SteveND

I've got this setup until my stainless headers and exhaust come in..

http://www.pysales.com/iw_products.m...0B?company=ppe

I'm running these right now, talk about nice tone..

skunk21

The shorty headers really will not change the sound. the H pipe adds to the tone and the muffler selection. post #10 of our tech section has info on mid pipes & headers you can read.

onebadvert

The shorty headers won't change the sound, but it will make it louder because of the larger size over stock right?

skunk21

slightly. Long tubes would gain the hp/sound over shorties that you could tell right away. The biggest factors are the system itself and the motor. A stock motor makes a certian sound vs built one.