Varilux
Well-known member
I can't figure out how to get pics to post here, but I've created a Tumblr site that follows my '65 from day one here: http://www.just-a-six.tumblr.com
In a word- AMAZING! I couldn't be happier with the job the shop did installing the header and exhaust. Although I wouldn't make a practice out of it, you can do pull-ups on the pipes and they don't budge, and the tips are perfectly centered and have zero wobble. The sound for the most part is awesome. Idle sounds almost like an 8cyl, and its "civilized" up to about 3,500 rpms- above that it sounds like its a very pissed off lion or something.
I'm surprised at the difference it makes in the driving feel. The most dramatic change is the way the rpms now drop off when I shift. I'm going to have to shift faster, because the needle just drops like a rock when you let off the gas and depress the clutch (before it used to come down much slower). On the flip side, it goes up through the rpms a LOT faster. It feels like there's possibly a bit less torque down low- but cruising in 5th gear is MUCH improved. Previously, the car would "thrum" between 50-60mph in 5th gear (like it didn't have enough torque for the gear)- now it just hums along in 5th. It would be nice if there was a way to tune the amount of back pressure in the system (to get just a bit of the low-end torque back and possibly slow down the drop off in revs during shifts) but I have a feeling as I get used to things I'll enjoy it just as it is. (Of course, it is now raining in Dallas for the first time in months- so no driving tomorrow.)
Anyway, if you're on the fence about doing headers, go for it! Completely changes the car (and the rear GT '65-66 valence is one of my all time favorite Mustang styling cues)...
In a word- AMAZING! I couldn't be happier with the job the shop did installing the header and exhaust. Although I wouldn't make a practice out of it, you can do pull-ups on the pipes and they don't budge, and the tips are perfectly centered and have zero wobble. The sound for the most part is awesome. Idle sounds almost like an 8cyl, and its "civilized" up to about 3,500 rpms- above that it sounds like its a very pissed off lion or something.
I'm surprised at the difference it makes in the driving feel. The most dramatic change is the way the rpms now drop off when I shift. I'm going to have to shift faster, because the needle just drops like a rock when you let off the gas and depress the clutch (before it used to come down much slower). On the flip side, it goes up through the rpms a LOT faster. It feels like there's possibly a bit less torque down low- but cruising in 5th gear is MUCH improved. Previously, the car would "thrum" between 50-60mph in 5th gear (like it didn't have enough torque for the gear)- now it just hums along in 5th. It would be nice if there was a way to tune the amount of back pressure in the system (to get just a bit of the low-end torque back and possibly slow down the drop off in revs during shifts) but I have a feeling as I get used to things I'll enjoy it just as it is. (Of course, it is now raining in Dallas for the first time in months- so no driving tomorrow.)
Anyway, if you're on the fence about doing headers, go for it! Completely changes the car (and the rear GT '65-66 valence is one of my all time favorite Mustang styling cues)...