I have stock LT4 ( other than Corsa cat back) and was wondering what gains, if any, I would get out of installing shorty headers. What brand is the better choice? And probably want ceramic coated, right? While I'm on the subject of exhaust, I also want to add Random tech. high flow cats. Is this another waste of time on stock engine? Thanks...

 

:confused:

 

If you are going to buy RT cats, why not go long tube headers?? The headers only cost a litle bit more and will give you a power boost. My dyno tuner recommended TPIS LTs, RT cats, and 3" custom exhaust.

You would have to get custom exhaust work to fit the RT cats, why not go all the way?

I'm preparing to do that myself. The exhaust shop won't do the header install so I will have to do it myself then tow the car to his shop.


[Modified by 94lt1torchred, 12:26 PM 6/17/2003]

 

:iagree: I have Exotic Muscle LT headers. Those or TPIS are probably the best in quality and fit (they come coated already). From shorties you would see only marginal gains. Maybe a max of 5 rwhp?? I'm sure someone has done a dyno with shorties and can chime in.

 

Well if your looking for loads of HP shorties are not for you. I have a Set of Hooker Super Comps. on my 1996 Collector Edition and only gained 5 - 7 extra HP. Going with long tubes is the only way to get noticeable HP. I did notice a little deeper tone on the exhaust though. I kept the Stock Cats. I did notice less heat in the engine compartment.
Beware... They say that the Hookers are the best Shorties to install; But you will have to cut the Emmision tube that comes off the manifold on the right hand side of the motor. This is because Hooker was to cheap to cast a left and right header. They only cast the left, so you have to cut the tube to make it work on the right side. :mad
Plus they leak................... :banghead:
The Left side was ok After retighting it. But the right side had to be regasketed with a special copper gasket to keep it from leaking.
Ohh and good luck trying to tighten the Bolt heads. The clearence on the headers are a joke.
I had to grind down a wrench to get it to fit.
Like most of this stuff for Vettes.... you have to modify things to get them to work.
I have yet to have purchased one mod that I thought was a well put together kit. EVERYTHING Needs some modifications.

Icemanto

 

Let me see if I can fix icemanto's problems. I have the Hooker shorties from jet hot and I used the copper gaskets from the start, no leaks. As far as tightning the header bolts, I bought S/S socket header bolts and was able to use a torque wrench on all the bolts, again, no leaks. Yes you have to cut 1" out of the AIR tube on the pass side. I brought it to a precission welder and had him do it. It came out great, I couldn't even find where he did the welding. Just show him the instructions and be ready to pay around $30. Don't forget to have that heat sleeve put on before he welds the pipe back together.

Have they figured out how to have long tube headers and cats so you can attach a cat back system without cutting and pasting?


[Modified by Strick, 6:54 PM 6/17/2003]