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Pulled the Trigger on Shorty Headers

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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 02:41 PM
  #1  
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Default Pulled the Trigger on Shorty Headers

Before you guys flame me, hear me out. I happen to live in the Nanny, Socialist state of Kalifornia. The visual smog inspections here can be nerve racking, to say the least, and I would rather not have to deal with it. That said, I'm settling for a set of B & B Shortys along with a pair of Random-Tech Hi-Flow Cats from WCC. The key here is both are C.A.R.B. approved. I do plan on having the Shortys Ti coated inside and out (with the CARB # masked off). My car is over 8 years old (2K), so there should be no problem in replacing the Cats. My car also has Pup Cats, so essentially, I have four factory low-flow Cats underneath. My theory is, anything is better than the existing stock set-up. I'm hoping for a little better throttle response, a few more HP (~10) and a better exhaust note. BTW, I also have a Honker CAI (also CARB approved), B & B PRT's and a Magnaflow X-pipe. Flame on.....
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Grunie,
I have a set of BBK jet coated shorties on my Mustang GT. Yes, I got flamed. But, I picked up 8 hp, better gas mileage, quicker throttle response, eliminated engine braking, and best of all gained REALLY NICE TONE. One of the other things I did on that car is switch to an SLP high flow cats and X pipe, big improvement. If your car is over 4 years old, and has over 40k miles you can do it legally (not sure on CA). I chose shorties because I live on a gravel road and clearance is an issue under the car. BTW, as long as we are flaming, there are other choices in batteries than Optima!

John
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Black 'n Tan
Grunie,
I have a set of BBK jet coated shorties on my Mustang GT. Yes, I got flamed. But, I picked up 8 hp, better gas mileage, quicker throttle response, eliminated engine braking, and best of all gained REALLY NICE TONE. One of the other things I did on that car is switch to an SLP high flow cats and X pipe, big improvement. If your car is over 4 years old, and has over 40k miles you can do it legally (not sure on CA). I chose shorties because I live on a gravel road and clearance is an issue under the car. BTW, as long as we are flaming, there are other choices in batteries than Optima!

John
Thanks for the input John, in CA, the car has to be over 8 years old before you can legally replace the Cats without a note from your mom. And there are other batteries besides Optima?
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 03:57 PM
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I run the B&B shorties and make plenty of power.

They are an excellent piece.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 04:04 PM
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Hi Guys,

I also live in So. Calif. and would be intersted to know the cost of the shortys and where to purchase ?

Thanks,
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 50th@50
Hi Guys,

I also live in So. Calif. and would be intersted to know the cost of the shortys and where to purchase ?

Thanks,
Got mine from West Coast Corvettes. Catalog price is ~ $1,100.00 for the Shorties. I'm a gold member with WCC so I got a nice discount
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 04:36 PM
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Thank you and please post your review after install, etc.

Peace,
Les
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 06:31 PM
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Rather than go with 4 cats (high flow or not), get a 2-cat h-pipe from a later model Vette. You'll have no problem passing visual that way.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 06:36 PM
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Hey Grunie,

Nothing wrong with them!

That's what I have on my 2000 C5 as I too live in Kahlifornya (SJ/Fremont). I ended up buying JBA shorties and have a Callaway Honker...along with an LS6 intake, a PCM tune and a couple of other stuff that you can see in my sig. I've already been through smog and passed with no problems (visual and test). Good luck!

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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by TM-96CE
Rather than go with 4 cats (high flow or not), get a 2-cat h-pipe from a later model Vette. You'll have no problem passing visual that way.
It's only 2 high flow cats I'm going with (4 are currently on the car). I also have an X pipe not an H but I'm thinking it should pass visual as well
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 07:40 PM
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For all you Cali folks.....with emissions being as tough as they are there, is the air quality getting any better? Just wondering, I visited back in the early 80's and the smog was bad!!!
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by BT-01-vette
For all you Cali folks.....with emissions being as tough as they are there, is the air quality getting any better? Just wondering, I visited back in the early 80's and the smog was bad!!!
Hell no.....air is worse than ever.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by GRUNIE
Before you guys flame me, hear me out. I happen to live in the Nanny, Socialist state of Kalifornia. The visual smog inspections here can be nerve racking, to say the least, and I would rather not have to deal with it. That said, I'm settling for a set of B & B Shortys along with a pair of Random-Tech Hi-Flow Cats from WCC. The key here is both are C.A.R.B. approved. I do plan on having the Shortys Ti coated inside and out (with the CARB # masked off). My car is over 8 years old (2K), so there should be no problem in replacing the Cats. My car also has Pup Cats, so essentially, I have four factory low-flow Cats underneath. My theory is, anything is better than the existing stock set-up. I'm hoping for a little better throttle response, a few more HP (~10) and a better exhaust note. BTW, I also have a Honker CAI (also CARB approved), B & B PRT's and a Magnaflow X-pipe. Flame on.....
I wont flame ya...Im heading down the same path!!
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 10:41 PM
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You might want to talk to FLYNBYA2 before you pull the trigger. I'm pretty sure he still has his on his vette and has for a while.
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by TM-96CE
Hell no.....air is worse than ever.
No it's better.

http://www.aqmd.gov/smog/o3hist-trend.pdf
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 03:03 AM
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Originally Posted by TM-96CE
Hell no.....air is worse than ever.
Well, I'll have to say that I respectfully, and heartily disagree. I'm far from a wacko-greenie-tree-hugger, but I've lived my entire life (50+ years) here in SoCal. I recall days when I was a kid that we couldn't see the local hill a mile away because the smog was so bad. My eyes would tear-up, and it really hurt to breath deep. The air quality now is VASTLY improved, at least where I've grown up and settled (OC).

Back to the thread at hand, I'll probably go with shorties too since I don't want the smog-police breathing down my neck. I'd like to shave some pounds, pick up a few ponies and improve the exhaust note. A set of used B&Bs should do the trick. Post some pictures and impressions when the install is complete!
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 10:14 AM
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Good choice on shorty headers. The B&Bs will give you some improvement.
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 10:36 AM
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Default Headers

I HAD THE B&B SHORTIES ON MY 01 Z06, IF U CAN'T HAVE LONG TUBES THOSE ARE A NICE PIECE. I PERFORMED A LITTLE CLEAN UP PORTING IN THE TUBES AT THE FLANGE WELD AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THEM. THEY ARE A STEP DESIGN ALSO.
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 10:56 AM
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As other Calif. residents have stated, the Air here is MUCH better than 20 30 40 years ago. I remember as a Kid, just going outside and inhaling it would hurt your lungs! Inland Empire, San Bernardino, though the pollution hovers over the city in the summer, terrible there still. I am lucky and live very near the coast so it is always good air.

I still long for the open expanse though, where the night sky is filled with billions of stars, can`t beat that. Plus how am I gonna spot a UFO here in the city ?
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Old Feb 26, 2008 | 11:03 AM
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Thank God I don't live out there. I love my LTs and no cat setup.
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