Shorty headers (again) in general; Watson specifically

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May 3, 2002 | 12:43 PM

DougSilver

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: Encino CA

Shorty headers (again) in general; Watson specifically

I have a 95 LT-1 and from previous posts I realize that shorty headers do not seem to be a great bang-for-the-buck mod. However, I figure they should not be any worse than the stock cast irons and there is some weight saving, improvement in looks, and possibly ease of spark plug access--agree? disagree?

Also, I came across a set of Watson shorties. I believe the tubes are 1-5/8" (versus the more typical 1-3/4" by Hooker and others) and the headers are coated. Watson does not make headers anymore (I believe many ZR-1 owners liked the Watson long tubes) but does anyone know or have any experience with Watson shorties?

Thanks.

May 3, 2002 | 11:35 PM

ittlfly

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From: Sun City West Az

Re: Shorty headers (again) in general; Watson specifically (DougSilver)

I can't address Watson headers, but I can tell you that if you install headers, use ceramic coated. I put in a set of JBA shorties and yes, the plugs, & wires are a lot easier to access; and they are about 1/2 the weight of the OEM's. The ceramic coating keeps the heat down especially around the fuel lines on the pass. side.

May 4, 2002 | 12:56 AM

NASCAR314

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Joined: Nov 1999

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From: St. Peters MO

Re: Shorty headers (again) in general; Watson specifically (DougSilver)

I'm doing the same thing for the same reasons as you.
:crazy:
I'm installing JBA's shorty's. Got the Drivers side done, now moving to the passenger side. Kind of a bigger PITA than I anticipated from the start. Mostly bracket positioning and accessory mounting things to work out. The headers themshelves fit great. Spark plug and wire access is greatly improved.

From the look of things, the "Hooker" shorties seem to have an easier time with installation problems. Bolt access and bracket re-attachment seem easier. The two outside cylinders (#1 & #7, #2 & #8 ) tube routing is the key item.

Not familar with Watson, headers

Good luck,

May 4, 2002 | 01:07 AM

BBA

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From: Jacksonville Fl

Re: Shorty headers (again) in general; Watson specifically (DougSilver)

I'm thinking hooker 1&3/4 shorty headers might be the ticket for better than stock without heating up the floor-board.

Who's running them?

May 4, 2002 | 01:37 AM

red-y

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From: Houston TX

Re: Shorty headers (BBA)

Got shorty Hookers - more power and great sound with Corsa. People that say shorties do not add power are wrong. You get more power with long tubes however shorties will give you more HP than stock headers. My mods give me 296 RWHP prior to gears, tranny rebuild and TQ. Not sure if RWHP has changed, but after adding the gears, shift Kit and 2800 TC it flys from 0 - 60. Thinking about 100 shot of Nitrous to put some real HP down, just in case I run into one of those fast and furious "Ricers". This is a sickness that I have developed. If I only had a performance exhaust I would be happy. If I only had headers, etc. I am now at the, if I only had Nitrous stage. What I realy need is therapy.. :crazy: :seeya

May 4, 2002 | 01:52 AM

BBA

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From: Jacksonville Fl

Re: Shorty headers (red-y)

That's what I wanted to hear.

May 4, 2002 | 02:34 AM

DougSilver

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Burning Brakes

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From: Encino CA

Re: Shorty headers (BBA)

Thanks for the feedback. If I get the headers I will probably have them installed by a shop--heard that it takes about 5 hours. Just wish I knew more about the Watson shorties. These headers were apparently sold by Doug Rippie but they are no longer manufactured.

May 4, 2002 | 03:26 AM

The Green Rocket

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From: Garden Grove CA

Re: Shorty headers (DougSilver)

I have a set of Watson headers on my '95. Without a doubt they were the best made, and best fitting of all the LT1 shorty headers, and I've had experience with Hooker (they used the wrong flange port shape, not the raised "D" exhaust port of the LT1), JBA (a funky header that in my opinion makes plug changes more difficult, rather than easier, also some quality issues), SLP (sorry to all who are using SLP, but the samples I received were badly designed, and had a more restrictive collector than virtually everyone else).

What I found hard to accept was that several of the shorties blocked flow in the most productive area of the port; the roof of the port.

I hope that Hooker has finally updated their cylinder head flanges to the proper raised D port, the two sets of Hookers that I had received both used old style flanges that blocked the roof of the exhaust port. You may be thinking that just a little bit of the header hanging across the top of the port is no big deal, but that is the area of highest exhaust flow.

Thomas