BBK 1-5/8-Inch Shorty Headers; Titanium Ceramic (99-04 Mustang V6)

Video Review & Installation

What's up, guys? Adam here with AmericanMuscle.com, bringing you my review of the BBK Shorty Headers for all '99 to '04 New Edge V6 Mustangs, offered in both chrome and ceramic finishes. Let's be honest. We all know the '99 to '04 V6 Mustangs have a lot of potential, and these BBK Shorty Header options are definitely a good way for the the New Edge owners to replace the restrictive factory manifolds and increase sound and power at the same time. Now, it's definitely not going to sound exactly like a V8, but you're definitely going to be bringing that exhaust to life, especially when paired with an aftermarket midpipe and muffler. As I mentioned before, these BBK Shorty Headers are a direct fit replacement for your factory manifolds and offer an increase in horsepower and torque, as well as an increase in sound. The BBK options are also compatible with your factory midpipe, so you won't have to worry about getting a shorty midpipe like you would if you were getting long tube headers. Another plus for getting these BBK Shorty Headers is that you won't have to worry about getting it tuned, because they don't effect your catalytic converters, so you don't see your "Check Engine" light. Now, as I mentioned before, these shorty headers will not require a tune. However, it is very much recommended that you do get one because getting a tune will maximize performance gains because you're upgrading to a higher-quality and bigger tubing than the factory iron cast. Now like I said, it's not entirely required, but you can definitely maximize performance gains if you invest in one.What makes the BBK Shorty Headers an upgrade from stock really boils down to the upgraded size and materials. Now as I said before, there's two options. There's the chrome like I have here, and the ceramic. As far as performance, you can expect the same kind of gains. It really comes down to the quality of the material and what you see when you pop your hood. Now the chrome option of the BK Shorty Headers like I have in front of me here, is the more basic of the two. You'll notice that they're crafted using once piece three eighths inch flanges, as well as one and five eighths CNC manual [SP] band tubing for improved airflow all wrapped together with BBK's bright chrome finish. Now this chrome option, I definitely want to point out, will actually start to change colors after a few heat cycles and turn a bluish-purple color. If you're looking for something that keeps its finish and doesn't discolor, then maybe the ceramic option might be for you. Now the ceramic option for BBK is actually a very attractive finish. They're completed using the same materials as the chrome, the one and five eighths inch CNC manual band tubing with the three eighths inch flanges for added strength. What sets the ceramic option aside from the chrome option is that BBK used a heat-resistant, silver ceramic coating, so the color won't fade or burn, so it looks good when you pop the hood. Now obviously the ceramic option is the better option out of the two, but compared to the chrome, where do they fall in the price line? The chrome option comes in just shy of the $300 mark, which is honestly not that bad for a major exhaust part. Now they definitely are a budget-friendly item, but I'll be honest, that kind of reflects in the quality. The welds aren't the greatest, but they are pressure tested to be leak free and do not affect performance. The installation process for both options of the BBK Shorty Headers is going to require a few hours of your time and a couple of hand tools. You'll want to have an assortment of hand tools, including a wrench, a 10 millimeter and a 13 millimeter socket, as well as a crescent wrench. When all is said and done, you'll expect to spend the better part of a day on the install, which is why I'll give this installation a two out of three on the Wrench Difficulty Scale. BBK also provides installation instructions, which we have listed on the site. So if you don't feel comfortable doing the install yourself, I'd highly recommend taking it to a shop and spending that few extra bucks to get it done professionally, just to be safe. Just to wrap things up, guys, if you're the owner of a '99 to '04 3.8 or 3.9 Liter V6 and you're looking for a budget-friendly way to add some aggressive sounds and powers to your Pony, the BBK Shorty Headers in both chrome and ceramic options are available right here at AmericanMuscle.com.