, on both counts.
Shorty or Long Tubes?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: Madison Mississippi
I would get the long tubes if you plan on building up the motor with heads and a cam. If not, wait on them, $ wise they are very expensive for the amount of power yield on a stock motor. Simply put, they will allow you to make more power whereas stock exhaust will hold you back pretty quick once you cam the car and add heads etc 
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Here is the argument for shorties, they are easier to install as they bolt up directly to the head and OEM cats. They give you some increase in hp, about half as much as LTs (in the middle of stock and LTs as far as hp increase). They help keep the heat down under the hood (especially if ceramic coated). And they look much better than those rusty ole manifolds. But, they also can be bolted up to accept all the pollution plumbing so you can pass smog testing. If you plan on bigger things for your motor, hold off for the LTs. I've run Hooker Shorties for almost 4 years now and they have worked out just fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
Originally Posted by Strick
Here is the argument for shorties, they are easier to install as they bolt up directly to the head and OEM cats. They give you some increase in hp, about half as much as LTs (in the middle of stock and LTs as far as hp increase). They help keep the heat down under the hood (especially if ceramic coated). And they look much better than those rusty ole manifolds. But, they also can be bolted up to accept all the pollution plumbing so you can pass smog testing. If you plan on bigger things for your motor, hold off for the LTs. I've run Hooker Shorties for almost 4 years now and they have worked out just fine.
Also - in Calif (and some other smog **** states) you WILL NOT legally pass state emissions testing with Long tube headers........only short tube headers are given CARB E.O#'s
Some run long tubes, and get away with it - I don't want to chance it....so, shorties are the only way for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Read an article that said, shorties will do nothing for you, maybe less than the stock already installed, and no use going to LT headers unless you're going to or have already done mods to your engine, save your money and use it for other projects.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Asheville NC
93 is the model year.....Hence the 40th logo.
My plan is to add some type pf header and other exhaust mods as well. Although I would like to dive into the block....it will be no time soon.
My thinking is this.....shorties, RT Cats, and some type of muffler upgrade.
The ONLY thing I may do internal would be 1.6 rockers, and thats not really internal to speak of.
Strick......did you install your shorties? Wanna help a guy out?
My plan is to add some type pf header and other exhaust mods as well. Although I would like to dive into the block....it will be no time soon.
My thinking is this.....shorties, RT Cats, and some type of muffler upgrade.
The ONLY thing I may do internal would be 1.6 rockers, and thats not really internal to speak of.
Strick......did you install your shorties? Wanna help a guy out?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by KNCRSR5R
93 is the model year.....Hence the 40th logo.
My plan is to add some type pf header and other exhaust mods as well. Although I would like to dive into the block....it will be no time soon.
My thinking is this.....shorties, RT Cats, and some type of muffler upgrade.
The ONLY thing I may do internal would be 1.6 rockers, and thats not really internal to speak of.
Strick......did you install your shorties? Wanna help a guy out?
My plan is to add some type pf header and other exhaust mods as well. Although I would like to dive into the block....it will be no time soon.
My thinking is this.....shorties, RT Cats, and some type of muffler upgrade.
The ONLY thing I may do internal would be 1.6 rockers, and thats not really internal to speak of.
Strick......did you install your shorties? Wanna help a guy out?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I have coated SLP shorties. They were on my 93 with the 396 LT1 for a while. Then i went to DRM long tubes. Big change in sound and power, 20rwhp. The reason I went shorties initially was really thinking of where I was going to be, ie Cali etc. SO, they sit on the shelf. They are cleaner and nicer looking than the cast iron stuff. But HP maybe about 10-15 hp. Lingenfelter uses them allot for C4's/.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by KNCRSR5R
93 is the model year.....Hence the 40th logo.
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire There's nothing like a 'Vette
The stock L-98 manifolds are shorty headers....sort of.
How much of a difference could aftermarket shorties really make on the seat-of-the-pants dyno? Sure the primaries are a little small (inch and a half I think), but with a stock TPI, how big do they need to be? The real cork on these engines is what's behind the manifolds. Of course, long tubes are something else again
I know this thread was really more concerned with LTx's, so
How much of a difference could aftermarket shorties really make on the seat-of-the-pants dyno? Sure the primaries are a little small (inch and a half I think), but with a stock TPI, how big do they need to be? The real cork on these engines is what's behind the manifolds. Of course, long tubes are something else again
I know this thread was really more concerned with LTx's, so
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Forget shorties. Install 1.6 rockers. Easier to install... more power.
Everyone should bookmark this and do it first before "real" modifications.
Best "bolt-on" in the book.
NOTE: The above statement takes into account that you've bought the factory shop manuals and have the best "stock" running car that GM could hope to have. Cars that run like crap currently will not see the benefit of increased rocker arm ratios.
Everyone should bookmark this and do it first before "real" modifications.
Best "bolt-on" in the book.
NOTE: The above statement takes into account that you've bought the factory shop manuals and have the best "stock" running car that GM could hope to have. Cars that run like crap currently will not see the benefit of increased rocker arm ratios.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by mikenfl
The stock L-98 manifolds are shorty headers....sort of.
How much of a difference could aftermarket shorties really make on the seat-of-the-pants dyno? Sure the primaries are a little small (inch and a half I think), but with a stock TPI, how big do they need to be? The real cork on these engines is what's behind the manifolds. Of course, long tubes are something else again
I know this thread was really more concerned with LTx's, so
How much of a difference could aftermarket shorties really make on the seat-of-the-pants dyno? Sure the primaries are a little small (inch and a half I think), but with a stock TPI, how big do they need to be? The real cork on these engines is what's behind the manifolds. Of course, long tubes are something else again
I know this thread was really more concerned with LTx's, so
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Asheville NC
Originally Posted by Dan Parker '96
Forget longtubes.. 1.6 rockers..
You can send me a "thank you" card later.
You can send me a "thank you" card later.
You seem pretty confident in your remarks. I was thinking that I would need the better breathing before I installed the 1.6 rockers so I could maximize the the higher lift and breathing capabilitles. Thats why I was going to install the headers first.
Either way, together they will do more than alone, right?
Is your argument that I will recieve most of my increase in performance from the rockers rather than the exhaust?
And by the way.....OF COURSE MY Corvette is the best one ever made....is'nt YOURS!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by KNCRSR5R
FYI: 6spd, 3.45 gears, 76,200 miles.
You seem pretty confident in your remarks. I was thinking that I would need the better breathing before I installed the 1.6 rockers so I could maximize the the higher lift and breathing capabilitles. Thats why I was going to install the headers first.
Either way, together they will do more than alone, right?
Is your argument that I will recieve most of my increase in performance from the rockers rather than the exhaust?
And by the way.....OF COURSE MY Corvette is the best one ever made....is'nt YOURS!
You seem pretty confident in your remarks. I was thinking that I would need the better breathing before I installed the 1.6 rockers so I could maximize the the higher lift and breathing capabilitles. Thats why I was going to install the headers first.
Either way, together they will do more than alone, right?
Is your argument that I will recieve most of my increase in performance from the rockers rather than the exhaust?
And by the way.....OF COURSE MY Corvette is the best one ever made....is'nt YOURS!