Shortys vs. Longtubes
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: dunellen nj
So does the same thing apply to a L98? I want to keep the exhaust as stock looking as possible and I was thinking just adding cut-outs where tehe precats are, is this worth it? Would it be better to add shorties as well, or just Long tubes only?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
I think it really depends on your budget and your requirements.
Low budget- get the cutouts. They'll get you a few ponies and make your car loud as a friggin' freight train.
Medium budget- LT's.
High budget- The works... Plus LT's.
Low budget- get the cutouts. They'll get you a few ponies and make your car loud as a friggin' freight train.
Medium budget- LT's.
High budget- The works... Plus LT's.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by stallion8797
So does the same thing apply to a L98? I want to keep the exhaust as stock looking as possible and I was thinking just adding cut-outs where tehe precats are, is this worth it? Would it be better to add shorties as well, or just Long tubes only?
But anything you do to the L98s exhaust to free it up will help.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by rocco16
However......
"Doing it right" may mean sticking with the shortys for your stock motor....then going to 1 3/4" LTs when you do a heads/SC on the engine.
If you do the heads/SC, "doing it right" would be installing LT during those mods, not weeks/month/years before.
Optimum engines, in whatever state of tune, are a package, with all the components chosen to work together....not chosen to work with a different combo that you may do sometime in the future. Do you see where that's coming from?
Larry
code5coupe
"Doing it right" may mean sticking with the shortys for your stock motor....then going to 1 3/4" LTs when you do a heads/SC on the engine.
If you do the heads/SC, "doing it right" would be installing LT during those mods, not weeks/month/years before.
Optimum engines, in whatever state of tune, are a package, with all the components chosen to work together....not chosen to work with a different combo that you may do sometime in the future. Do you see where that's coming from?
Larry
code5coupe
(One example is my D44) However, by this time next year they won't be overkill.
Since many of the head/cam packages from the top porters recommend 1 3/4" primary LT headers so that is what I installed, instead of constantly replacing parts for the "perfect mediocre combination."
Mike
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
Just installed LTs plus hi flow cats on my 95 6speed and then had the car tuned. All of this cost a bunch of money and the seat-of-pants power gains are not particularly impressive. Although other people in this forum have reported that LTs with a tune are good for as much as 30-40 rwhp, my car feels like maybe 15-20. I say this because I also have an 02 Z06 that I modified with a Vararam air intake. That mod was billed as a 30rwhp mod and it definitely feels like it and it chopped a solid .35 off my quarter mile times.
In any case, I do believe that LTs will maximize the gains provided by further mods such as cam and heads, which is where real gains in rwhp/rwtq can be found. If, on the other hand, you dont plan at least a cam change in the future, I wouldnt bother with LTs or shorties. Instead, use that money to help buy cool set of wheels and tires.
In any case, I do believe that LTs will maximize the gains provided by further mods such as cam and heads, which is where real gains in rwhp/rwtq can be found. If, on the other hand, you dont plan at least a cam change in the future, I wouldnt bother with LTs or shorties. Instead, use that money to help buy cool set of wheels and tires.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
How much horsies am I going to lose going with shortys over longtubes? Is there going to be any advantage or just loss if I go with them? Im never going to be racing or getting on my vette all that much. Its just my daily driver so im thinking I might go with the shorties. Is the install alot easier?
My car- 96 LT4
My car- 96 LT4
Last edited by parafrog; Mar 3, 2006 at 05:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by resipsa
Just installed LTs plus hi flow cats on my 95 6speed and then had the car tuned. All of this cost a bunch of money and the seat-of-pants power gains are not particularly impressive. Although other people in this forum have reported that LTs with a tune are good for as much as 30-40 rwhp, my car feels like maybe 15-20. I say this because I also have an 02 Z06 that I modified with a Vararam air intake. That mod was billed as a 30rwhp mod and it definitely feels like it and it chopped a solid .35 off my quarter mile times.
In any case, I do believe that LTs will maximize the gains provided by further mods such as cam and heads, which is where real gains in rwhp/rwtq can be found. If, on the other hand, you dont plan at least a cam change in the future, I wouldnt bother with LTs or shorties. Instead, use that money to help buy cool set of wheels and tires.
In any case, I do believe that LTs will maximize the gains provided by further mods such as cam and heads, which is where real gains in rwhp/rwtq can be found. If, on the other hand, you dont plan at least a cam change in the future, I wouldnt bother with LTs or shorties. Instead, use that money to help buy cool set of wheels and tires.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
The cam is going to get swapped along with the headers despite the daily driver status. I still want some umph in my car. I mean stock LT4 is still great and all and I love it but I want some more. I already have corsa exhaust and open air filter. I just figured shorties would give me something. I guess now I have to rethink everything and look into the long tubes more.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
Originally Posted by Achilleus07
Yeah...the wheels and tires have already been taken care of with original ZR-1 5 stars. Gotta love them. I am doing a cam swap when I put the headers on. Im definitely going with Long-Tubes. I know I should go with Exotic Muscle or TPIS...but im not looking to race so Im thinking I will go with a simple Ceramic Coated Hooker Super Comp. As for the cam...Ive been researching and Im still stumped...I want something better than the Hot Cam....I want to have a good sounding idle...something that has a pretty noticeable lick in it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Double Oak TX
Originally Posted by parafrog
i remember that lingenfelter said in his book, that he liked stock corvette headers. that suggests that as far as shorty headers go, your stockers are good to go already. why spend extra cash on something that isn't going to make a power difference.
100% bone stock my LT4 make 301.1 rwhp 318 torque. With K+N filter, MAF screen removed and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator the car made 310.4/321.8. Add a set of long tube headers, high flow cats and dual 3” exhaust the car made 332.9/347.1. Remember the engine is still 100% internally stock. Think with the cats removed it made 347 rwhp.
Great mod in my book and the car is still 100% reliable as the engine internally is unchanged. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
