Looking for info from anyone who has either done long tube header install or the y pipe. Was it worth it? I've searched the forums and couldn't get a definite answer. My truck is a pavement princess with the occasional country roads, its 2wd 5.0 regular cab 6.5 bed. Looking to stay naturally aspirated and use as a fun daily driver. For the y pipes do I need to tune it as well or can I just install it and go? I know for the long tubes a tune is required. Current mods are AFE CAI, outlaw exhaust, oil catch can, throttle controller.

 

Haven’t done them on my 5.0 yet, but I’ve done them enough times on other motors for a bit of insight..
I can assure you long tubes will reduce pumping losses the most by relieving some outlet restriction. You will prob pick up the most gains in the upper RPM range.
Short tubes will also pick up a bit of torque too, and will be much easier to install while keeping the factory cats.
The factory Y pipe to me looks like it flows quite well and is probably worth keeping.
Once I do Whipple supercharge my 5.0 L I will prob go with Stainless short tube headers, with ARP STUDS and nuts personally…
A tune is not required for short tubes.
A tune is definitely required for long tubes.

My best advice. Save for a Whipple. Even a used Whipple. It’s the best bang for the buck you will get and the Whipple tune will be all you really need..
Once you add up the costs for a Whipple vs “nibbling” at power adders you will see it’s worth the wait.

 

Welcome.
L/T's don't = bang for the buck.
A good tuner, ( not the canned stuff you order on the net ) could get you the same hp gains with the mods you have.
A custom tune maybe $ 500 - 600, & then you need a storage unit, SCT etc.
I would figure out the end goal & have a budget, don't just throw $$$$ at the truck..
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Tune is not "required" per say but highly highly recommended. Worth is subjective but I put longtubes on everything and I've yet to regret it. More torque everywhere but otherwise no different. Louder for sure but not difficult to wrangle.