Best shorty headers??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Best shorty headers??
I want to install shorty headers on my 97 mn6, I know LT's are better but I prefer shorties at this time. I read some threads and got mixed reviews. I would like 1 3/4" tubes and coated. I am also concerned with ease of install and any problems with changing plugs afterwards and of coarse price.
Here's a list of the ones I came up with, if anyone has info please chime in:
BBK
JBA
Borla
etc..........
thanks....
Here's a list of the ones I came up with, if anyone has info please chime in:
BBK
JBA
Borla
etc..........
thanks....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
B&B are stainless steel and have 1 3/4" primaries. 10-15hp gains from what I've seen and the dyno shows the bigger gains from 3000-5500 rpm range. But you'll get most folks here pushing you to the LT headers. Personally the 1100-1800 price tag is not worth the gains. I picked up my B&Bs for $150 used. I may just get them coated before the install. Here's a link to the install process.
B&B mag review and install overview
B&B mag review and install overview
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Put B&B Tri flo shorties on my MN6 00 Coupe 5 years ago. Install not too difficult, just take your time. Had them ceramic coated also. Only prob was the dipstick attach hole was a mile off and had to bend and rework to line up.
Fred K.
Fred K.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 4
From: cincinnati ohio
Waste of time and money, you'd probably be better off using someones '02 later Z06 manifolds. you can probably buy these for next to nothing since we all use long tubes. You would also need the center section to match. ST's are a complete waste IMO
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 2
From: Lake Worth FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06 & '12
Originally Posted by RAFTRACER
Waste of time and money, you'd probably be better off using someones '02 later Z06 manifolds.
Want my '02 Z06 manifolds? Make me an offer...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Originally Posted by RAFTRACER
Waste of time and money, you'd probably be better off using someones '02 later Z06 manifolds. you can probably buy these for next to nothing since we all use long tubes. You would also need the center section to match. ST's are a complete waste IMO
I have to disagree that shorties are a waste of time & money because I have to believe that they will flow much better than the stock 97 manifolds will.
Any known problems with spark plug changes??
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 2
From: Lake Worth FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06 & '12
Originally Posted by vetteamerica
Do you know if the smog crap will match up to my 97??
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 4
From: cincinnati ohio
Originally Posted by vetteamerica
Do you know if the smog crap will match up to my 97??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Originally Posted by RAFTRACER
No they will not, but it is a very minor fabrication job, the air pump tubes are still there they are just located more forward than your '97. I believe if you do this though you will need the later-model center section .
I read some threads after searching and found it will be more involved than I thought.
I think I am going with a good pair of shorty's at this point.
thanks for the info!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Originally Posted by leaftye
Just take off the AIR and disable the SES code. Easy...and free if you know someone that has a HpTuners for a '97. I think SLP sells the AIR blockoff plate for around $10.
But I also read that the H pipe will not match up (different angle) and I just had a complete SS exhaust done by Mufflex from the manifolds back.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Spring Tx
BBk has ceramic coated shorties for our cars and I know of a dealer selling them for less than $500. One of the ls1tech guys donated his car for the guinny pig and he got excellent results at the track, I may put on my car just for the pretty factor ...lol
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Originally Posted by lost
BBk has ceramic coated shorties for our cars and I know of a dealer selling them for less than $500. One of the ls1tech guys donated his car for the guinny pig and he got excellent results at the track, I may put on my car just for the pretty factor ...lol
Anyway who is the dealer you found?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
First off 97 – 99 shorties are unique, as are 00’s and 01 – 04’s. They are longer with a different bolting pattern. The air tube on the passenger side is toward the firewall, same as an 00. The air tube on the drive’s side is the same on all. B&B’ are all stainless and will flow much better than the stock manifold. BBK and JBA are coated mild steel and of a different design. SLP’s are stainless but not bolt on. Borla doesn’t make headers for 97 – 99. 01 and up stock headers are of a better design than yours but the air tube and down pipes wont match. The ports are also of a different shape. While I mostly do agree with the LT bigots (mostly), if your car does not have head and cam work, you really won’t get the most out of them. Well designed short tubes do add some HP, especially over stock 97 – 99 manifolds. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it. - C.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by IM QUIKR
B&B are stainless steel and have 1 3/4" primaries. 10-15hp gains from what I've seen and the dyno shows the bigger gains from 3000-5500 rpm range. But you'll get most folks here pushing you to the LT headers. Personally the 1100-1800 price tag is not worth the gains. I picked up my B&Bs for $150 used. I may just get them coated before the install. Here's a link to the install process.
B&B mag review and install overview
B&B mag review and install overview
Except I paid 375.00 for mine! They were mint / like new however, so that's cool. 
