im wondering about the difference between long tube and short headers. which is better and why? i recently purchased 2 magnaflow high flow cats and i plan on getting them installed this weekend with an x-pipe directly behind them so i can put the o2 sensor in. they're 2 1/2 in and out same with the x-pipe. my next project is headers and im debating wether i should go short or long tube. once i do im getting rid of the stock y pipe also for 2 1/2 inch pipes. anyone got any opinions on this setup? ill be using the same mufflers i currently have.

 

I bought my longtubes in ebay for a good price , I like em they make my truck sound good ! I just got a flowmaster 10 can't wait to install it

 

O2 sensor MUST be in front of the cats. You only have one, so that shouldn't be too much effort, you could try just sticking it in one bank, and see how it works. (might set a code, might not.... might work just fine.)

Long tubes do a better job of scavenging. Trouble is, you can't find the size headers you really want.... (1 1/2, or 1 5/8 inch primaries....) I think the pacesetter long tubes are 1 3/4? Those are more for a mid to high RPM application. They are, however, the easiest and cheapest to find.

Doing shorties, and a better y-pipe will probably be just as affective, and easier to install, just use one cat, and a single 3" exhaust system. Should have nice deep tone, and loudness can be controlled by muffler choice.

 

Have you read this? Headers

 

so why does the o2 need to be in front? and why only use one. ive got everything from the catback built already and not planning to change it. i have the high flow cats and the x-pipe already. is there a downside to doing this setup?

 

O2 sensor is reading unbrurned fuel to trim mixture.

 

Your 95 should only have one. Unless you have cali emissions. The idea for the sensor, is to read fuel mixture, so the PCM can keep you as close to ideal as possible. Those readings are going to be totally useless after the cat.

 

right now ive still got the stock y and cat after the cat its 3" into a y the 2 1/2 into two thrush glasspacks and dumped right behind them. the reason i got the cats is because the weld on the top pipe going into the cat cracked all the way around it and the pipe is pulling out of the cat. i live in salt lake city they check to see if the cat is there lol or id just delete it. but i dont have to worry about smog checks because its registered down in st. george where they dont have smog checks. if its not a good idea to use two high flows let me know cause i dont wanna do anything that will hinder the performance.

 

So the only thing they are really concerned about is that you HAVE a cat? If thats the case... you could try true duals, with an h or x pipe, and use both cats, but, the O2 sensor still needs to be in FRONT of the cat.

2 1/2 inch duals will give pretty much the same performance as the 3" single. Just a matter of which way you wanna go.

 

lol thats what i was wanting to do but i had the o2 part backwards. thanks for the input. now i did read that headers thread, is there really any distinguishable performance between short and long tube?
with the long tube how would the exhaust have to be routed? like i said ive got from the cat back built and i would rather not change it. lol