JBA shorty headers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
JBA shorty headers
I just bought a set of JBA shorty headers today. I saw them on craigslist and picked them up brand new in box with all hardware and instructions for $350. I thought I had a pretty good deal until I got online and found out that shorty headers are basically worthless. I'm now debating on whether to install them or sell them. If there is any sound improvement, I would be happy. I'm not expecting much if any extra power, but it would be nice if it helped some. Does anyone have experience with these headers? Do they sound better and/or do they offer any performance gains? On the plus side, I think they will be easier to install than long tubes. BTW, I have a Bassani x-pipe, B&B bullet quad tip running through stock cats.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 2
From: tampa florida
Who told you they were worthless? Shorty header users?
From your profile you are a stock motor? I used shorty pace setters for almost a year and got 24 hp increase over stock. I have the dyno sheet. Only other mods werre Vararam and X pipe, which basically added nothing. I got 322 HP and 336 TQ. Long tubes at times I have seen reduce the TQ numbers, and on a stock motor that is not good.
I just yesterday switched to LTs but only becuase I have done heads and cam. More flow in needs more flow out.
I will be doing a factual write up soon on the shorty vs. long tube debate but I would say you got a good deal and go ahead and install them. Very easy driveway mod. Less then half the install time of LTs.
My advice is to ignore those who have not run both systems. Later if you decide to add internal engine mods then definitely factor in LTs at some point.
If you need any further help don't hesitate to ask.
Good Luck
Brad
From your profile you are a stock motor? I used shorty pace setters for almost a year and got 24 hp increase over stock. I have the dyno sheet. Only other mods werre Vararam and X pipe, which basically added nothing. I got 322 HP and 336 TQ. Long tubes at times I have seen reduce the TQ numbers, and on a stock motor that is not good.
I just yesterday switched to LTs but only becuase I have done heads and cam. More flow in needs more flow out.
I will be doing a factual write up soon on the shorty vs. long tube debate but I would say you got a good deal and go ahead and install them. Very easy driveway mod. Less then half the install time of LTs.
My advice is to ignore those who have not run both systems. Later if you decide to add internal engine mods then definitely factor in LTs at some point.
If you need any further help don't hesitate to ask.
Good Luck
Brad
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 46
From: Tampa FL
Hey I had shorty headers on my 98 Camaro. Honestly there was a barely noticeable SOTP diff btw them and stock manifolds but they looked great.
They don't make the car sound any better IMHO.
I do like the fact that they save some weight.
They flow better than stock but they don't really have that scavenging effect that LT headers have.
If you put them up for sale someone in CA will buy them.
I might do shorty headers again because I don't want to have fitment issues but I too am not sure if its worth the install and money if the gain is small.
I never put my car on a dyno.
They don't make the car sound any better IMHO.
I do like the fact that they save some weight.
They flow better than stock but they don't really have that scavenging effect that LT headers have.
If you put them up for sale someone in CA will buy them.
I might do shorty headers again because I don't want to have fitment issues but I too am not sure if its worth the install and money if the gain is small.
I never put my car on a dyno.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
Hey I had shorty headers on my 98 Camaro. Honestly there was a barely noticeable SOTP diff btw them and stock manifolds but they looked great.
They don't make the car sound any better IMHO.
I do like the fact that they save some weight.
They flow better than stock but they don't really have that scavenging effect that LT headers have.
If you put them up for sale someone in CA will buy them.
I might do shorty headers again because I don't want to have fitment issues but I too am not sure if its worth the install and money if the gain is small.
I never put my car on a dyno.
They don't make the car sound any better IMHO.
I do like the fact that they save some weight.
They flow better than stock but they don't really have that scavenging effect that LT headers have.
If you put them up for sale someone in CA will buy them.
I might do shorty headers again because I don't want to have fitment issues but I too am not sure if its worth the install and money if the gain is small.
I never put my car on a dyno.
I noticed a small power difference but never had the car on the dyno... stock, then after the exhaust mod. They look great under the hood, they flow better than those nasty stock headers and they wiegh 20lbs less. The sound of my car with shortys and Borla Stingers was pretty nice.
If you can do the mod yourself, put the shortys in, run them for a while, until you find a good price on a set of LT's , then sell them to someone on the forum out in CA.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
I had a set of shorties on my Camaro....True you wont get the huge boost that long tubes will give you but for 350 bucks you got a great deal and you will notice a diffrence..
If your thinking of selling gimmie a call...but If Iwere you Id keep them....
The only reason Id sell a set was if I knew that I was able to smog a set of long tubes and would never be breaking the law by having them installed....
If your thinking of selling gimmie a call...but If Iwere you Id keep them....
The only reason Id sell a set was if I knew that I was able to smog a set of long tubes and would never be breaking the law by having them installed....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
Made an attempt at installing them this afternoon. Had to shift directions once I tried to take plug wires off. The stock plug wires were hard and brittle due to heat and all but one fell apart when I tried to remove them. So I had to get a friend to bring me to napa to buy a new set so I would be able to at least drive them thing to work tomorrow. So all I really got accomplished today was skinning up my knuckles and changing plug wires. They should be easier to get off when I try the install again. I also bought a new set of plugs, because with my luck, I'm going to break one or all of them trying to get em out.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 46
From: Tampa FL
Yeah I had the same problem with my stock wires when I changed my plugs. I was stupid for thinking they wouldn't break.
My hands were very skinned up afterword and I developed blisters on my thumbs from twisting hot plug wires. (I'm a programmer).
My hands were very skinned up afterword and I developed blisters on my thumbs from twisting hot plug wires. (I'm a programmer).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,936
Likes: 1,919
From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
Made an attempt at installing them this afternoon. Had to shift directions once I tried to take plug wires off. The stock plug wires were hard and brittle due to heat and all but one fell apart when I tried to remove them. So I had to get a friend to bring me to napa to buy a new set so I would be able to at least drive them thing to work tomorrow. So all I really got accomplished today was skinning up my knuckles and changing plug wires. They should be easier to get off when I try the install again. I also bought a new set of plugs, because with my luck, I'm going to break one or all of them trying to get em out.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,936
Likes: 1,919
From: NC
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
for a corvette, shorty headers are very similar to the stock manifolds (hence the "worthless theory") There are some corvette "shorty" headers with equal length primaries, These do have a notable effect and are excellent for keeping the undercarriage area from beciming cluttered.
Shorty headers are best used on trucks or other vehicles with "log" style manifolds that are extremely restrictive. IMO, I'd sell them and save up for long tubes or equal length shorties.
Shorty headers are best used on trucks or other vehicles with "log" style manifolds that are extremely restrictive. IMO, I'd sell them and save up for long tubes or equal length shorties.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
So I finally got around to installing them. It took about 5 hours of solid wrenching. I finished right before the shop closed and found I had a huge exhaust leak on the passenger side where the header bolts to the cat. So now I officially have the worst sounding vette on the island until I can get it back on a lift to take a look.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
So I finally got around to installing them. It took about 5 hours of solid wrenching. I finished right before the shop closed and found I had a huge exhaust leak on the passenger side where the header bolts to the cat. So now I officially have the worst sounding vette on the island until I can get it back on a lift to take a look.
