Need headers: Shorty or full length?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard Ca
Need headers: Shorty or full length?
My main issue is that I live in CA and need it to pass smog. Shorty headers are carb approved, though they are short on power gains. Full length headers will probably pass on the sniffer but not visual.
My other concern is that I just bought a Bassani x-pipe and a cat back exhaust system. If I go with a full length header, can I bolt on the stock cats and the new x-pipe so I don't waste money? Or will I have to install high flow cats, and get a new x-pipe?
I am having a very hard time making a decision on this, partly because I just bought the new exhaust parts and don't want to waste money, and partly because I still want to be smog legal.
My other concern is that I just bought a Bassani x-pipe and a cat back exhaust system. If I go with a full length header, can I bolt on the stock cats and the new x-pipe so I don't waste money? Or will I have to install high flow cats, and get a new x-pipe?
I am having a very hard time making a decision on this, partly because I just bought the new exhaust parts and don't want to waste money, and partly because I still want to be smog legal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
My main issue is that I live in CA and need it to pass smog. Shorty headers are carb approved, though they are short on power gains. Full length headers will probably pass on the sniffer but not visual.
My other concern is that I just bought a Bassani x-pipe and a cat back exhaust system. If I go with a full length header, can I bolt on the stock cats and the new x-pipe so I don't waste money? Or will I have to install high flow cats, and get a new x-pipe?
I am having a very hard time making a decision on this, partly because I just bought the new exhaust parts and don't want to waste money, and partly because I still want to be smog legal.
My other concern is that I just bought a Bassani x-pipe and a cat back exhaust system. If I go with a full length header, can I bolt on the stock cats and the new x-pipe so I don't waste money? Or will I have to install high flow cats, and get a new x-pipe?
I am having a very hard time making a decision on this, partly because I just bought the new exhaust parts and don't want to waste money, and partly because I still want to be smog legal.
The shortys look great( under the hood, they looked much better than the Kook's I have...due to ceramic coating), made the exhaust sound a whole lot better, with Basanni x-pipe and Borla stingers. I'm not sure if they made a power increase, because they were installed and never dyno tuned. I did get many,many complements on sound and the car perfrormed well.
If you decide to go shorty, I'm selling mine for $200 plus buyer pays shipping. PM me if your interested. I can send you pics.
I also have a cam 228/228/112 ($300) and #243 Z06 heads ($500) that I am going to post in C5 Parts for sale, tonight.
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO
I just installed the B&B shorty headers and I am pleased overall. I can tell the car pulls alot harder through the power band and I am not one to be be able to tell SOTP performance easily. They compliment the rest of my Corsa system too. I did delete the pre-cats and installed some high flow cats. It seemed to quiet the popping some complain about as well. At wide open throttle it sounds bitch!! Installation was straight forward as well. I did it without any directions. The car was tuned before but I am retuning after I install a torque converter. There was another dude on here that went 12.70's with just shorties & vararam. Check the classifieds for a used set in good condition; I wouldn't pay full price - that is rediculous! However, if you plan on heads and cam, you may want to consider the long tubes if you can get away with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Shorties basicaly flow the same as stock manifolds in some cases. Not much of a power gain so its a waste of your hard earned money. Checkout Dynomaxx or LG, they have LTH's with O2 sensor bungs so the car passes smog. Visual shouldnt be a problem on a CARB approved product.
MFIC
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
I just installed the B&B shorty headers and I am pleased overall. I can tell the car pulls alot harder through the power band and I am not one to be be able to tell SOTP performance easily. They compliment the rest of my Corsa system too. I did delete the pre-cats and installed some high flow cats. It seemed to quiet the popping some complain about as well. At wide open throttle it sounds bitch!! Installation was straight forward as well. I did it without any directions. Check the classifieds for a used set in good condition; I wouldn't pay full price - that is rediculous! However, if you plan on heads and cam, you may want to consider the long tubes if you can get away with it.
But earlier C5's like my 99 gain the most, the newer C5's have the same manifolds as the C5 Z06 (minimal gains there)
Last edited by ILM-Express; Sep 8, 2007 at 12:37 PM.
