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Is there a significant difference in performance between long tube vs. shorty headers? I plan to keep the stock TI exhaust and will possibly get an X pipe down the road.
Also, what do you guys think about electronic exhaust cutouts? Are they a waste of $??? I'm not sure if they even make good HP but I have no experience with them.
Lts make more power, but the shorties are street legal i think. Not worth getting shorties IMO. More bling than anything else. Most headers come with hi flo cats and x-pipes with packages that will bolt up to your catback.
Don't have any experience with the cut outs. they look and sound cool though. Im sure you lose back pressure and that means you lose some torque but you gain hp in the top end(i think i got that right )
I looked into getting shorties a while back. Most people don't think they are worth it, and if you look at the stock manifolds, other than weight, the shorties don't look much different from stock.
However, to remain CARB (california air resources board) compliant, shorties are the only headers that will qualify (if they have applied for the exemption) in California.
If you go to long tubes you will not pass the visual inspection portion of a smog test.
Alot of people "roll the dice" (bet the tech doesn't know, see, or check for headers) or hedge their bets (have a shop that ignores them) with some success.
Shorties do not get you much, but most are legal in all states, I think...
LTs are awesome and a great mod. Keep the TIs and throw on some LTs and X pipe and your car will be like night and day. LTs realy wake up a Z. If yuo want sound, get some mufflers here in the for sale section (great sellers and great prices) and keep your TIs if yuo do go LTS. TIs on LTs are very unique. I was thinking of taking off the bullets for some TIs to calm my car down a bit, but then again, I love the noise and I can turn up the radio Good luck man!
Dave
I have the Long tubes and the stock ti's. I love the sound. I added the qtp cutouts for added sound at the flip of the switch. It is for show and to scare women and children There is little in performance to be had with this mod but they are fun when that stang pulls up next to you at the stop light you open up and suddenly he doesn't know what he got into.
I have the Long tubes and the stock ti's. I love the sound. I added the qtp cutouts for added sound at the flip of the switch. It is for show and to scare women and children There is little in performance to be had with this mod but they are fun when that stang pulls up next to you at the stop light you open up and suddenly he doesn't know what he got into.
Hell yes brother!!! I have been toying with that idea myslef but it does not seem like there is much room for cut outs. Any pics? Where did you put them??? Thanks man!!!
Dave
PS not trying to swipe the thread
Another alternative is to buy some used stock manifolds and get them ported, many people give them away for the price of shipping. That is the use my stockers went too...
I believe JBA shorty headers also qualify under executive order D-216-28
You're right the JBA headers starting with part #1817 are CARB legal. I missed that because the CARB database lists that for a "1997-2005 GM Passenger Car 5.7L, 6.0L" and I was searching for "Corvette". My bad.
So is there any gain going to a shorty header? I would like to keep the car as legal as possible.
Usual gain is 7-10rwhp with shorties. But for the cost ($700-900) - I'd rather get LT's and take the chance with the visual. If I fail the visual - I'll just take a weekend and swap the stockers back in.
Usual gain is 7-10rwhp with shorties. But for the cost ($700-900) - I'd rather get LT's and take the chance with the visual. If I fail the visual - I'll just take a weekend and swap the stockers back in.
I agree, but what if you can get a used set for $300-400 (seen a few around the internet)? What typical gains from long tube headers? Sorry for all of the newbie questions.
And think about if you fail ... you gotta take the time to take OFF the long tubes ... put on the stock manifold, and then either eat the cost of the headers or now take the time to remove the stock manifolds and put back on the long tubes ... and you're gonna do this evert couple of years ??? Plus, non-CARB certified mods can get you fined along with all this work .....
Last edited by BlackZ06; Mar 15, 2007 at 10:02 PM.
And think about if you fail ... you gotta take the time to take OFF the long tubes ... put on the stock manifold, and then either eat the cost of the headers or now take the time to remove the stock manifolds and put back on the long tubes ... and you're gonna do this evert couple of years ??? Plus, non-CARB certified mods can get you fined along with all this work .....
I have the Long tubes and the stock ti's. I love the sound. I added the qtp cutouts for added sound at the flip of the switch. It is for show and to scare women and children There is little in performance to be had with this mod but they are fun when that stang pulls up next to you at the stop light you open up and suddenly he doesn't know what he got into.
lol, I still haven't run into a Stang yet that wants to test me. I've run next to a couple GTs on the highway and waited for them to gun it, but none of them want any!
And think about if you fail ... you gotta take the time to take OFF the long tubes ... put on the stock manifold, and then either eat the cost of the headers or now take the time to remove the stock manifolds and put back on the long tubes ... and you're gonna do this evert couple of years ??? Plus, non-CARB certified mods can get you fined along with all this work .....
As far as I know, the cost of shorties are not worth the gains at all-- in my mind there is no other option but LTs. Every two years to swap out the headers (if at all needed) isn't too bad. If you are serious about modding your car then go LTs, otherwise if you'd like to keep it closer to stock, don't bother.