Tech Review—Ultimate Headers S197 Mustang Exhaust
By Steve Baur
Photography by the author
Ultimate Headers, based out of Berea, Ohio, continues expanding its product line of exhaust headers. We checked out the company’s latest offering, which is a long-tube exhaust header and X-pipe combination for 2011-2014 Mustang GTs with the 5.0-liter Coyote engine.
After bringing exhaust headers for 2015-newer Mustangs, as well as Coyote Swap applications to market, Ultimate Headers turned its attention to the S197 Mustang platform and the 2011-2014 Coyote-powered cars in particular.
Designed as a direct bolt-on performance part, Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers are a long-tube design that includes a catalytic converter-equipped X mid-pipe to connect to the car’s factory exhaust system. These headers are fabricated from 321 stainless steel and utilize the company’s investment cast exhaust flanges that offer an increased surface area for better sealing. Ultimate Headers also notes that its unique flange design provides greater strength and lighter weight due to its design.
Late-model engine bays are anything but roomy, so being able to bend and direct the primary tubes as needed without sacrificing performance is optimal. Ultimate Headers achieves this with its investment casting bends, which allow tight turns right out of the flange without losing performance. The casting also allows for the material to remain the same thickness throughout the bend, which isn’t possible with traditional bent tubing. For the company’s 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers, these bends as well as the primary tubes, measure 1 7/8-inch in diameter.
Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers also feature welded-in oxygen sensor bungs in the collectors and the company includes extension harnesses to make sure the installation is plug-and-play. All Ultimate Headers’ 2011-2014 Mustang GT header kits ship with fasteners and Cometic HTS header and collector gaskets (If applicable…) for a convenient installation.
Of course, you have your choice of finishes on these header kits as well, with the standard mill finish, and optional ceramic-coat black, cast-iron gray, titanium, matte silver, and polished silver finishes for an additional fee.
Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers (PN 475011) carry a limited lifetime warranty and ship with the long-tube headers, hardware, and gaskets, as well as an X-pipe that features high-flow catalytic converters and connects directly to your exhaust system. As a side note, the headers alone will also fit OBS Ford trucks with a Coyote engine swap.
As good as the description of Ultimate Headers Coyote Mustang headers sounds, most enthusiasts want to know how they perform. While we were not directly present for this particular test, we are privy to data that showed the headers offered an on-track improvement in elapsed time on a 2011 Mustang GT/automatic combination. In comparable air densities, the Mustang improved on its previous best elapsed time of 12.25 with an 11.95 performance on track.
If you’re looking to improve the performance of your 2011-2014 Mustang GT, Ultimate Headers may have the solution you’re looking for.
Source
Ultimate Headers
(440) 234-9600
UltimateHeaders.com
By Steve Baur
Photography by the author
Ultimate Headers, based out of Berea, Ohio, continues expanding its product line of exhaust headers. We checked out the company’s latest offering, which is a long-tube exhaust header and X-pipe combination for 2011-2014 Mustang GTs with the 5.0-liter Coyote engine.
After bringing exhaust headers for 2015-newer Mustangs, as well as Coyote Swap applications to market, Ultimate Headers turned its attention to the S197 Mustang platform and the 2011-2014 Coyote-powered cars in particular.
Designed as a direct bolt-on performance part, Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers are a long-tube design that includes a catalytic converter-equipped X mid-pipe to connect to the car’s factory exhaust system. These headers are fabricated from 321 stainless steel and utilize the company’s investment cast exhaust flanges that offer an increased surface area for better sealing. Ultimate Headers also notes that its unique flange design provides greater strength and lighter weight due to its design.
Late-model engine bays are anything but roomy, so being able to bend and direct the primary tubes as needed without sacrificing performance is optimal. Ultimate Headers achieves this with its investment casting bends, which allow tight turns right out of the flange without losing performance. The casting also allows for the material to remain the same thickness throughout the bend, which isn’t possible with traditional bent tubing. For the company’s 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers, these bends as well as the primary tubes, measure 1 7/8-inch in diameter.
Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers also feature welded-in oxygen sensor bungs in the collectors and the company includes extension harnesses to make sure the installation is plug-and-play. All Ultimate Headers’ 2011-2014 Mustang GT header kits ship with fasteners and Cometic HTS header and collector gaskets (If applicable…) for a convenient installation.
Of course, you have your choice of finishes on these header kits as well, with the standard mill finish, and optional ceramic-coat black, cast-iron gray, titanium, matte silver, and polished silver finishes for an additional fee.
Ultimate Headers 2011-2014 Mustang GT headers (PN 475011) carry a limited lifetime warranty and ship with the long-tube headers, hardware, and gaskets, as well as an X-pipe that features high-flow catalytic converters and connects directly to your exhaust system. As a side note, the headers alone will also fit OBS Ford trucks with a Coyote engine swap.
As good as the description of Ultimate Headers Coyote Mustang headers sounds, most enthusiasts want to know how they perform. While we were not directly present for this particular test, we are privy to data that showed the headers offered an on-track improvement in elapsed time on a 2011 Mustang GT/automatic combination. In comparable air densities, the Mustang improved on its previous best elapsed time of 12.25 with an 11.95 performance on track.
If you’re looking to improve the performance of your 2011-2014 Mustang GT, Ultimate Headers may have the solution you’re looking for.
Source
Ultimate Headers
(440) 234-9600
UltimateHeaders.com
