Shorties vs Longies
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
Shorties vs Longies
I'm looking for information on the HP loss of shorty headers vs the long tube. I've heard before that the the long tubes give a few more HP. I'm looking at doing ported heads and intake plus a cam and headers to give my LT1 a boost. I want the long tube but the cost difference will help pay for some of the other goodies. I already have the SLP cat back pipes so hooking up to the shorties should be a snap. I just don't want to try to save a couple hundred bucks and wish I had gone with the long tubes later.
If anyone has been through this before or anyone who has tech data for the headers I would appreciate the help.
If anyone has been through this before or anyone who has tech data for the headers I would appreciate the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
I am a little curious about this as well. I recently put in a Hotcam and am running pretty much stock exhaust with muffler elim and Magnaflow resonator. But, if I were going through the expense of porting heads and intake, I would definitely hold out for long tubes. It would really be the only way to get the most out of all that porting. Especially with the aftermarket catback. Just my .02
OTOH, if it were going to be awhile before I could get those long tubes ($$), I might be tempted to run some shorties, if I found a good deal on them, in the meantime.
OTOH, if it were going to be awhile before I could get those long tubes ($$), I might be tempted to run some shorties, if I found a good deal on them, in the meantime.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
I was running a smallish camshaft (212/224 521/533) for those runs. I later canged the camshaft (224/230 605/622), and picked up 25-30 hp. I also think the small camshaft hurt the peak gains.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Before purchasing my LTs a few weeks ago I did a lot of research on this subject. In a nut shell shorties are not a lot better than a stock manifold, at least not on my 96. Diameter of LT primaries should be 1 5/8 up to around 440 hp and 6000 rpm. After 440 hp and over 6000 rpm 1 3/4 are recommended. Over that 1 7/8. In either of these choices the length of the primary is the most important factor. The longer they are the better to create a pulsing by each individual tube to help remove exhaust gases. In choosing dia. remember, have a game plan for your engine.
This is my view from what research I have done. It's also a touchy subject here on CF and other forums. Good luck with your decision.
This is my view from what research I have done. It's also a touchy subject here on CF and other forums. Good luck with your decision.
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Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 497
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From: Casa Grande Az
I currently have Hooker Ceramic coated shorties on my 92 (got a great deal on them). Once my engine build is complete I already know I will be swapping these out for EM Longtubes.
I would be willing to bet the farm that shorties are better then nothing, but long tubes are the only way to go for big power.
And yes , this is a touchy subject around here.
I would be willing to bet the farm that shorties are better then nothing, but long tubes are the only way to go for big power.
And yes , this is a touchy subject around here.
Safety Car
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From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Made In America
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: High Ridge Missouri