What is so Special about D-Port Shorty Headers for LT!?

Waveman22

 

Ahhh, they fit without alterations to the stock exhaust. I'm not really sure what answer you are looking for?

 

Well I put a set of them up for sale and several people said the wanted them immediately and commented somebody is getting a great deal. I was just wondering why they are so special??
What they go for?

 

$75 for a set of shorties sounds like a good deal. I'm pretty sure I sold my Hooker shorties for $300.

 

From what I here going with shorties is a waste of money.Go long tube or nothing.
Whould you say thats true from your experiance.

 

Nothing special about D port anything. If he header fits over the exhaust port its good.

 

The LT1/4 cast exhaust manifolds are actually quite good flowing. A good set of shorties is still worth some power by eliminating the siamese center port on the cast manifold. That said, many of the shorty LT1/4 headers that I have seen have the WRONG port shape on the flange. Some leave a small part of the flange hanging down into the top of the D shape on the cylinder head. This is counter-productive because that is the area of highest exhaust flow, the last place where you want anything in the way. Some that do have a good match for the roof of the port also have the floor of the port dropped down - not ideal, but not so important on flow. When I bought my shorty headers years ago I went through several sets, Hooker, JBA, etc., before finding a set with the right flange port shape. Probably most guys will just bolt up headers and never look to see if the header blocks any part of the cylinder head exhaust port - which is a mistake, and why some people will tell you that shorty headers make no difference on ther LT1/4. I think my headers were made by Watson (NLA I believe), but I'm sure that there is at least one brand that currently fits properly. Its been too long since I did the dyno comparo stock vs. shorty, but I believe the shorties were worth ~ 11 rwhp.

If you can run long tubes that would be my choice - I'm leaving the shorties because of aggressive I/M emission tests in SoCal.

Thomas

 

That person was me....I have a L98 and I was just wondering if they were the D port, as the L98 has a squarish port, though from what I have read in the forum in the past the D port will work. I was kinda bummed since I was the first one to respond in the forum and didn't get first crack at them, as they were a great deal. Any aftermarket header, short or long, has to be better than the stock L98 manifolds. It's all good, the search continues, I may go with stock LT1 manifolds. :o

 

Three reasons I went with Hooker Shorties: 1) reduce the heat in the engine compartment, 2) They look better than the rusty ole manifolds, 3) simple installation that keeps your OEM cats. When I do my top end improvements, I'll install my long tubes and Random cats.