shorty headers
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: college park md
shorty headers
Does anyone have solid proof that shorty headers do not provide more power? If that is the case, how come manufactures can claim that they do add more power??? Also does ceramic coating really keep the temperature down or is that a fable too??? :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
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From: Sun City West Az
Re: shorty headers (swoosh)
I can't answer the question on the headers providing more power. However, I can say that the ceramic coating is a must for LT-1 applications...IMHO. The fuel line routing on the pass. side come very to the header. It is just a tight fit anyway, it makes sense to cut the heat down.
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From: college park md
Re: shorty headers (John Shiels)
The heat from an LT1 is like a burning hell. Every piece of item under the hood is :mad !!! Those parts don't even touch the engine at all. We all know heat destroys everything. Looks like i will be picking up a set of ceramic headers. Are there any LONG TUBES that have the emissions fittings? I'm considering getting a set and doing away with the cats, want few more horses with that too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
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From: Boston
Re: shorty headers (John Shiels)
10 hp max with shorties is what I have always been told.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: shorty headers (swoosh)
The exhaust manifolds on C4's are tubing, like headers but they aren't equal length tubes like good shorties (or long tubes for that matter). It's the equal length of the tubes that creates a "scavenger effect" or a vacuum in the header that helps extract the exhaust gases from the cylinder. The longer the tubes the more scavenging effect you create. That's why long tubes make more power than shorties.
I have used shorties before on other Chevy's and they always made more power than the stock manifolds. I'm stuck with shorties on my automatic because I have to keep the precats to pass smog in CA. Longtubes won't fit I hear. But I haven't gotten into that project yet myself on this car.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
I have used shorties before on other Chevy's and they always made more power than the stock manifolds. I'm stuck with shorties on my automatic because I have to keep the precats to pass smog in CA. Longtubes won't fit I hear. But I haven't gotten into that project yet myself on this car.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: shorty headers (swoosh)
I have a 92 LT-1 with Shorties by Hookers I bought from Jet Hot with the Sterling coating on them. Yes they are cooler under the hood, but I also upgraded my cooling system and she runs cooler anyway. The one thing that is better about the header system is the fact that they don't hold the heat like a set of cast iron manifolds do. After you shut down, the cast headers keep the temps higher under the hood for longer. And besides, the coated headers look much better. As far as power increases, I don't have use of a dyno, and I've upgraded a few other things the same time I installed the headers so I can't tell you exactly how much power I gained with just the headers. I did it for two reasons: they look cool and they keep the heat down. Oh yeh, I'm still smog legal. Isn't MD serious about smog stuff?
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Thread Starter
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From: college park md
Re: shorty headers (Strick)
Maryland is serious about smog. But that falls onto the employee that is doing the inspection. You have 100's of cars coming in everyday, those guys are not going to put 100 % effort in their inspection. HELL, drop $50 bucks and they will make sure your car passes. That's what some of my buddies do with their RICEMOBILE.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 305
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Re: shorty headers (Strick)
I agree with ZORA,I just put them on Sat. nite.What a nitemare to get the collector's to stop leaking.I honestly don't feel any power difference-I am very in tune w my cars but the only difference was the car is quiter at throttle[which makes sense because the exh is now moving smother]I have a mild cam w other basic bolt-ons,I was expecting more-but hey they lookg good! :iagree:
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From: college park md
Re: shorty headers (richy rich)
Who makes shorties that are equal length??? Has anyone dropped some long tubes in their LT-1 and still have all the emissions parts functioning ?? Hell I'll remove the cats, but i would still need the O2 SENSORS FUNCTIONING.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
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From: Louisville,KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: shorty headers (Strick)
I've got shorty ceramic Hookers on mine.....DO NOT WASTE YOUR $$$$. :nonod:
What's wrong with them?
What's wrong with them?
If you get headers.......go for the long tubes. :yesnod: :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: shorty headers (Zora)
Yes........they make the long tubes to accept emissions. SLP,Lingenfelter,Doug Rippie,etc.... :cheers:
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From: college park md
Re: shorty headers (Strick)
There's no way you can put LONG TUBES in without modifying the positions of the CATS. I don't know about the early C4's. My 96, BOTH CATS are literally right up, after the exhaust manifold. I'm thinking about putting Long tubes in and leaving the cats out. Then I would need someone to make a Y pipe that extends to the headers.
