Shorty headers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Shorty headers
This thread is on shorty headers, not Long tubes. Of course long tubes are better, but they are not an option for me. My car will always stay California emissions compliant while I modify it. That being said, I hopefully may get less long tube wisdom. And yes, many people have gained 10-15 whp from shorty's. Its in many forums on many threads. Save the comments please. I used to not believe in shorty's either till I saw several successful increases with them.
I am trying to figure out a few things:
A. The best shorty headers out there.
B. The ones with CARB EO numbers.
And C. The best priced ones out there.
It seems that the B&B's are the best, but no shorty is worth $1k plus (IMO). There is a set of Doug's Headers I am interested in that is CARB legal too, but is currenty not being made and must be pre-ordered months in advance. The other I am interested in is the BBK set. It is very cheap, but it has a "CARB pending" number.
When parts say "pending" are they legal? Or do they ever really become legal? Any experience would be appreciated. This set is only $380. Its not a tuned set like the B&B's, but a much more reasonable price. If It really is or will soon be legal, I may be interested in it.
Any other sets out there I should know about?
I am trying to figure out a few things:
A. The best shorty headers out there.
B. The ones with CARB EO numbers.
And C. The best priced ones out there.
It seems that the B&B's are the best, but no shorty is worth $1k plus (IMO). There is a set of Doug's Headers I am interested in that is CARB legal too, but is currenty not being made and must be pre-ordered months in advance. The other I am interested in is the BBK set. It is very cheap, but it has a "CARB pending" number.
When parts say "pending" are they legal? Or do they ever really become legal? Any experience would be appreciated. This set is only $380. Its not a tuned set like the B&B's, but a much more reasonable price. If It really is or will soon be legal, I may be interested in it.
Any other sets out there I should know about?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
FYI, OBX racing makes an awesome looking set for $400 that Id be all over if I had an 01-04 car. They don't make them for the 97-00 years. I've had good experiences with that company when I messed with turbo eclipses and other DSMs.
For those of you with 01 and up, check them out. Although I cant seem to find out if they have a CARB EO number or not. I think not...
For those of you with 01 and up, check them out. Although I cant seem to find out if they have a CARB EO number or not. I think not...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Horse Power TV just did an episode on BBK Shorty headers and they got 15HP from them.
I used to have a set on my 2002 convertible and the only issue I had was that they were coated with the shiny ceramic coating and I could not get the A.I.R. tube bolts to start until I chased the threads to clean the coating out of the holes.
I don't know about the CARB number but I'd be willing to bet they have them. They are also quite reasonably priced compared to JBA or others.
cc
I used to have a set on my 2002 convertible and the only issue I had was that they were coated with the shiny ceramic coating and I could not get the A.I.R. tube bolts to start until I chased the threads to clean the coating out of the holes.
I don't know about the CARB number but I'd be willing to bet they have them. They are also quite reasonably priced compared to JBA or others.
cc
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Horse Power TV just did an episode on BBK Shorty headers and they got 15HP from them.
I used to have a set on my 2002 convertible and the only issue I had was that they were coated with the shiny ceramic coating and I could not get the A.I.R. tube bolts to start until I chased the threads to clean the coating out of the holes.
I don't know about the CARB number but I'd be willing to bet they have them. They are also quite reasonably priced compared to JBA or others.
cc
I used to have a set on my 2002 convertible and the only issue I had was that they were coated with the shiny ceramic coating and I could not get the A.I.R. tube bolts to start until I chased the threads to clean the coating out of the holes.
I don't know about the CARB number but I'd be willing to bet they have them. They are also quite reasonably priced compared to JBA or others.
cc
thanks. I am leaning towards this set. If I have to save my stocks and swap them on for smog time, I might just do that. Its not a big job.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Vancouver B.C.
FYI, OBX racing makes an awesome looking set for $400 that Id be all over if I had an 01-04 car. They don't make them for the 97-00 years. I've had good experiences with that company when I messed with turbo eclipses and other DSMs.
For those of you with 01 and up, check them out. Although I cant seem to find out if they have a CARB EO number or not. I think not...
For those of you with 01 and up, check them out. Although I cant seem to find out if they have a CARB EO number or not. I think not...
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Will follow this thread - should be interesting to hear what others think of the shorty headers.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
I used BBK and bought them from Jegs, the nice thing was I had a fit problem with the first set, left side header, Jegs sent another set and the fit was perfect, no cost to me with shipping the defective back or the 2nd set. Installation was a breeze the hardest part was getting the plug wires off the plugs.
As far as performance, never did a dyno but bottom end feels stronger, no perceivable difference on the top end.
As far as performance, never did a dyno but bottom end feels stronger, no perceivable difference on the top end.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I used BBK and bought them from Jegs, the nice thing was I had a fit problem with the first set, left side header, Jegs sent another set and the fit was perfect, no cost to me with shipping the defective back or the 2nd set. Installation was a breeze the hardest part was getting the plug wires off the plugs.
As far as performance, never did a dyno but bottom end feels stronger, no perceivable difference on the top end.
As far as performance, never did a dyno but bottom end feels stronger, no perceivable difference on the top end.
Ive recently replaced plugs and wires, so that will be a breeze
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Oh and because I get dyno tunes for only $100 a pop where I go, I will be dynoing the shorties I go with to find a real answer to the power increase from just shorties. I know allot of people have been wondering this.
This is an already tuned car too. Not an un-tuned car getting tuned with a set and having most the power simply being from the tune. Just the shorties power is what Im after. If its only a few ponies, at least I can bring that into light.
This is an already tuned car too. Not an un-tuned car getting tuned with a set and having most the power simply being from the tune. Just the shorties power is what Im after. If its only a few ponies, at least I can bring that into light.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Another update on my quest.
I just got off the phone with BBK tech and got a straight answer on the CARB thing. They do not pass the visual until they have a real CARB EO number. They pass the sniffer and will be good when they get the number.
Thats the only thing there was not an answer for... when will it get an EO number.
The problem is, I dont think that number ever is coming. They have been pending since they where made some 10 or more years ago... lots of companies get a pending but never go further it seems... probably a sales ploy.
Borla, B&B, and JBA are definatly out of my price range, and BBK and Pace Setters are not CARB exempt. But the cheapest set of CARB EO numbered shorties are the Doug's Headers I mentioned before. Im not one for shiny stuff, so I was after the painted set for $350. This is the one you must pre-order. They do have a silver ceramic coated set for $500 in stock. It is still half the price of the others and fully legal. I am thinking about this set now because I dont want to wait for a painted set. $500 is still pretty steep though... all in all it seems to be the best option.
I can only email OBX to ask about their 01-04 set. I will post their response when I hear back.
I just got off the phone with BBK tech and got a straight answer on the CARB thing. They do not pass the visual until they have a real CARB EO number. They pass the sniffer and will be good when they get the number.
Thats the only thing there was not an answer for... when will it get an EO number.
The problem is, I dont think that number ever is coming. They have been pending since they where made some 10 or more years ago... lots of companies get a pending but never go further it seems... probably a sales ploy.
Borla, B&B, and JBA are definatly out of my price range, and BBK and Pace Setters are not CARB exempt. But the cheapest set of CARB EO numbered shorties are the Doug's Headers I mentioned before. Im not one for shiny stuff, so I was after the painted set for $350. This is the one you must pre-order. They do have a silver ceramic coated set for $500 in stock. It is still half the price of the others and fully legal. I am thinking about this set now because I dont want to wait for a painted set. $500 is still pretty steep though... all in all it seems to be the best option.
I can only email OBX to ask about their 01-04 set. I will post their response when I hear back.
Last edited by NukeC5; Jul 31, 2012 at 01:59 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Vancouver B.C.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
True. The Doug's im looking at have 5/8" primaries. The BBK's have 3/4". I do like the bbk's for that reason and that they are only $400ish. Like I said, I may need to just swap them in and out for emissions time. Since the cheaper Doug's aren't available, I may go with the BBk's. I will look into these McJacks ones, but they are still $700.. Pricey for shorty headers IMO.