Reply to "me agene! (Question regarding Pantera headers)"

Les,

The correct answer of course is that the correct "size" of your exhaust system will be dependent upon the power output of the motor.

I don't have the experience I would like to have with the Pantera exhaust system to be able to advise you properly, but I think it is safe to write that for most owners a 2 1/2" system will be adequate. It will obviously be a far cry better than the oem system. Increasing the size of the tubing alone is not enough however, the oem mufflers are themselves a significant restriction.

The mufflers sold by PI Motorsports have no baffles inside at all, they are simply lined with sound deadening material. I have had the opportunity to hear them on Brad Grooms' Pantera, equipped with a 427 Windsor. The sound level is very docile compared to some Pantera systems. The construction quality is very high.

Les, the oem exhaust was undersized for two reasons, (1) to meet federal sound level standards, and (2) to maintain the same back pressure as the exhausts in Mustangs and Torinos, otherwise deTomaso or Ford would have had to re-jet the 351C motor for use in the Pantera. This in turn would have required all new emissions testing & approvals just for the motors installed in Panteras. So when you read that the oem exhaust system in a Pantera was good for 30 additional bhp compared to Mustangs & Torinos, you just have to roll your eyes a bit.

Many of the aftermarket Pantera headers are designed to bolt up to the oem tail pipes, so you'll find they have dramatically undersized collectors. Most aftermarket Pantera headers also have collectors that are too short as well. Those design compromises will limit the effectiveness of those systems.

The headers sold by Pat Mical at Future Auto have recieved repeated praise here on the DTBB.

your friend on the DTBB