Ablosolutely!

But, I don't drive it like that all the time. I've been known to shift like my Grandmother on an occasion.

 

Yep, the S197's small 4.6L engine is not a low rpm torque monster. It's a free breathing, 3-valve, variable timed cam, high rpm spinner.
But what I like is that it can go very fast without having to worry too much about losing a run back at the starting line in a cloud of smoke and a set of burned tire marks.

WRT long tube headers, they normally add upper rpm hp at the expense of some low rpm torque, which based on your posts is probably not what you want.

 

Nice video! And yes, I have figured out it seems you need hang the RPM a little above 3,000 when starting out dragging the clutch a little and then release and stomp. I just prefer to not have it this way. I think I need to go test drive an M3 or something to see if it is similar in this regard.

 

Maybe in theory, but in my reality that is not the case at all. I lost nothing on the low end with my longtubes.

It's a kick in the pants worth .3 in the 1/4

 

Are there any OEM-quality long-tube headers available?

 

6 of one, a half dozen of the other- something's gotta give. I guess you just have to decide which parts you don't mind replacing all the time!!

Hey, Tacobill- What is your exhast set-up in particular video? Sounds NICE!

 

OEM Quality? Sorry, there's no such animal as an OEM longtube header, but there are many quality aftermarket manufacturer's of longtube headers.

JBA, Kooks, Stainless Works, Hooker, SLP...all quality products.

 

Dave, Pypes O/R H-Pipe and FRPP Stingers (M-5230-5GT).

 

So none of them are OEM-quality? I guess I'll pass.

OEM-quality = something the OEM would use on a factory car, backed by a factory warranty and has passed/exceeded performance requirements for NVH, durability, etc...

 

A few S197 owners have said that they lost some low rpm punch after installing LTH's.

 

the throttle lag on mine was very annoying yesterday. i normally don't notice it alot. but yesterday i was driving it pretty hard on a pseudo road course. I was annoyed to point of thinking maybe it's a tank of bad gas. I had 89 octane in the tank (what i normally use). The lag was bad from 2500-3200 rpm. Man, I have to buy a tuner fast.

 

I still don't understand you're reasoning. Longtube headers aren't something any OEM is going to put on thier cars. This is a pure performance item. It's an Apples to Oranges comparision.

Is your SCT Tune OEM Quality? Not by your definition.

 

What if the OEM were to install a set of longtubes on a car? What would they use? What would Hau want to use if he didn't have any enviro-***** or sound-***** to worry about? That is all I'm asking. I've heard about LTs that burn out/rust out or have leaks (doesn't have to be a Mustang application). If I were interested in a set of LTs, I'd want a set that would last 15-20 years like the stock logs of yore or the short tube header-style OE exhaust manifolds.

The SCT tune on my Crown Vic actually does use a LOT of OEM settings. The most drastic changes are in the 4R70W's shift schedule, which actually uses OEM settings at the low throttle positions (sub 300 TP). By my definition, it would be OEM-quality if the OEM were more interested in performance rather than making sure old people in Crown Vics didn't get whiplash from 6000 RPM WOT shifts or get complaints about loud engines and exhaust notes It runs off of 87 octane gas (just like the OEM tune) and idles like a stock Crown Vic.

 

Any of the brands I mentioned would fit that bill, all stainless, not mild steel I would also get them with the ceramic coatings to ensure long life, lower temps and no rust.

I've bought bad/cheap headers years ago for my 66' GT. Hedman Tri-Y's! Leaky, rusty pieces of doo-doo

 

Try dougs 91 torque tune. I'd never leave home without it.