shorty's vs longtube headers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
shorty's vs longtube headers
Which are better, shorties or longtubes, and why? As far as I can tell shorties are a lot cheaper, which is a definante plus to me. Is it worth spending the few extra bucks for long tubes? BTW, whatever I get, I'm gonna stick on an 85 L98 when some money magically shows up in my account :D
Oh, what brand is best to get? I really don't know jack about exhaust for corvettes (well I know a bit more after reading the B&B/corse/flowmaster debate)
Oh, what brand is best to get? I really don't know jack about exhaust for corvettes (well I know a bit more after reading the B&B/corse/flowmaster debate)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Corvettaholic)
Shorties are worthless, they just aint big enough. Only worth a few hp.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (vader86)
Shorties are worthless, they just aint big enough. Only worth a few hp.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock,Austin, Texas
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (C4DC)
Shorties are worthless, they just aint big enough. Only worth a few hp.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets. :iagree: From what I hear the shorties are mostly an appearance mod, but with the long tubes most people either ditch the cats or go with expensive aftermarket pieces...
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets. :iagree: From what I hear the shorties are mostly an appearance mod, but with the long tubes most people either ditch the cats or go with expensive aftermarket pieces...
:iagree: I just did long tubes and aftermarket cats. Best way to go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (RadPolo96)
so if I get longtubes, then the pre-cats are gone right? I'm really not too sure what pre-cats are for... they're just little cats that sit near the collector before the big mamma jamma on the way out, right? I saw a aftermarket hi-flo cat from summit for 70 or 80 bucks. I assume its better to get that as opposed to welding in a straight pipe for emissions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Corvettaholic)
I dont think the 85's had pre cats.
They are just cats, small cats. Take a look under the car where the fenders are. You should have straight pipe there?
Long tubes scavenge exhaust out of the engine, which is why it creates a power boost (they also tend to be close to equal length). That is why they are better then the shortys.
They are just cats, small cats. Take a look under the car where the fenders are. You should have straight pipe there?
Long tubes scavenge exhaust out of the engine, which is why it creates a power boost (they also tend to be close to equal length). That is why they are better then the shortys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (RadPolo96)
Shorties are worthless, they just aint big enough. Only worth a few hp.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets. :iagree: From what I hear the shorties are mostly an appearance mod, but with the long tubes most people either ditch the cats or go with expensive aftermarket pieces...
:iagree: I just did long tubes and aftermarket cats. Best way to go.
Longtubes are the only way to go for HP gains. ~15hp
Hooker, TPiS, Lingenfelter all make good sets. :iagree: From what I hear the shorties are mostly an appearance mod, but with the long tubes most people either ditch the cats or go with expensive aftermarket pieces...
:iagree: I just did long tubes and aftermarket cats. Best way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 2
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Corvettaholic)
Just remember that here in AZ, you'll have to keep those cats to get through emissions. Longtubes should be allright but if you have an automatic, fitment could be a problem.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Some where, I'm still looking. Texas
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Lichen)
I put the hooker long tubes on my auto. No problem with fitment. I have true duals, with some aftermarket cats "$69.00 @". Passed the tough Dallas emmisions with no problem. Sounds great and "WOW "what an improvement!!! :flag
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: WATERFORD CT
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Da-Cajun)
Are you saying you only paid $69 for the Hooker headers?Whats the part #?Also I was wondering if you did the install yourself and how difficult it was?Or if a shop did it how$?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Corvettaholic)
Before you start messing with cats to fit in long tubes know the emissions requirments in your state, and the effects of such a change. Also, some guys have had problems with long tubes extending below the undercarrage, bottoming out the headers can cause bigger problems than just denting the headers.
Do your homework...
Cya! :seeya
Do your homework...
Cya! :seeya
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Beautiful Beast)
Also, some guys have had problems with long tubes extending below the undercarrage, bottoming out the headers can cause bigger problems than just denting the headers.
Do your homework...
Cya! :seeya
Do your homework...
Cya! :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (britvette)
Thank you for the link, but could you please be more specific as to what you're referring to? I looked at Headersbyed, but didn't see anything specifically relating to short vs long tubes...
Again, thanks for the link, but where...??? :confused: :thumbs:
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Rutland Ma
Re: shorty's vs longtube headers (Corvettaholic)
Whats your goal, performance or appearance?
1. Shorties
-small amount of power gained not worth money spent.
-Look better than rusted manifolds
-some say dissipate heat better than manifold (where to you engine bay?)
-Bolt right up without issues
2. Longtubes
-performance
-performance
-Won't pass emmissions in some states (mine included MA you suck)
-No matter what they claim fitment usually sucks and requires a little hammering, denting etc
My opinion, unless you want performance stick with you manifolds. Shorties are expensive and unless you are biulding a car to show are not worth the money.
1. Shorties
-small amount of power gained not worth money spent.
-Look better than rusted manifolds
-some say dissipate heat better than manifold (where to you engine bay?)
-Bolt right up without issues
2. Longtubes
-performance
-performance
-Won't pass emmissions in some states (mine included MA you suck)
-No matter what they claim fitment usually sucks and requires a little hammering, denting etc
My opinion, unless you want performance stick with you manifolds. Shorties are expensive and unless you are biulding a car to show are not worth the money.
