was wondering about the bbk shorties i wanted to know if any body is running them and how they like them. also what kind of number did you get thanks for any help

 

they are a waste of money get longtubes... ask verano29

 

see the thread 1 test = 1000 expert opinions

 

OK, I'll ask your question more directly. I've been researching the same issue, except I'm researching B&B shorty headers.
I live in a state that has emissions requirements (AZ) as well, but my county doesn't currently require it. Poor air quality doesn't stop at the county line, so it's only a matter of time and I'd rather plan now for that eventuality.
Spend my money wisely now, or waste more money later.
You obviously live in a very strict emissions state. It's not going to relax those restrictions any time soon.
Installation of shorty headers is much easier than long tubes, even for a DIY'er.
In most cases, they're less expensive than long tube headers (with related costs incurred).
They don't require an additional expense of a professional tune to recognize the benefits.
They are 50 state emissions legal (B&B, BBK).
They weigh much less than the oem cast iron manifolds.
They look much better...stainless and/or ceramic coated obviously have cosmetic advantages over ugly cast iron.
They will bolt up directly to the rest of your oem exhaust system.
They don't require any other expensive changes to your oem exhaust system.
They offer some change (ie, louder) in exhaust note, if that's your goal.
They obviously won't provide you with the advertised/dyno'ed horse power/torque of long tubes, but they should yield approx. 10 hp improvements. That coupled with the reduced weight is very appealing to me for my type of driving preference.
There are plenty of members here who have installed shorty headers. They all have various reasons for doing so. They've seen and attested to improvements. They may not post often because every time this gets asked, someone has to offer their opinions on why long tube headers are better. No question, but some of us have good reasons to chose shorty headers.

 

My post from July:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...24&postcount=1
My Dyno Sheet says B&B Shorties, but they are BBK :o

 

I installed B&B shorty headers to;
stay CARB compliant
get better looks (jet hot coated)
save some weight (to slightly offset the weight of my KB supercharger)

No I didn't gain maximum HP per dollar spent, but that wasn't my goal.

I installed the B&B's by myself, in the garage, on ramps. It was as easy as swapping exhaust manifolds (because basically that's what it is).

If I was going just for looks, I think I'd jet-hot coat some stock manifolds and remove the heat shields. The stock Z06 manifolds look a lot like headers already......

But yes if maximum HP per dollar is your goal, and you don't care about CARB compliance, go long tubes...

Good Luck...

 

Sorry for the dupe post....the Forum is really slow for some reason

 

I was hoping you'd post your results Stan.

 

do a search on this forum for: 1 test = 1000 "expert" opinions and read the results there

 

thanbks for the the info fellas i would go long tube but i need to pass smog once smog is done then i can do mods that arent carb leagal remember iam in cali there really big on smog

 

I have BBk shorteis on my Z06. With a paper air filter, and NO modifications, it dyno'd 371 hp. It wasn't even tuned. I don't know what it was before the shorties, but 350 hp is normal.

BTW... yes, I do like them. They look great and mostly, don't make any noise. I like the whine of the Procharger... not "tink" sound of headers.

 

Not worth the money. Please note that the dyno linked showed the results of shorties and a tune. Add in dyno variances and the gain for the shorties is even more questionable. I have yet to see a back to back dyno on the same day, same car, same dyno that shows any worthwhile gain from shorties.

 

B&B (BBB) shorties DO WORK, PERIOD - END.

BBK's I am not as fond of, they are not equal-length nor as well made as the B&B's.

 

So get a set of used shorties....and a tune!
I hate it when people just out of had take a singular approach... better..even a bit better is better. It all depends on your pain threshold

To maximize your bucks get a used set and then get your car tuned...

 

So I can throw away the money on the shorties? No thanks (I have long tubes anyway). My point is that the dyno poster very likely got about all his gains from the tune. The only thing I'd recommend shorties for is dressing up the engine compartment.

 

Gotta remember guys... we're in KALIFORNYA... and long tubes aren't really a "legal" option.
So.. are they great? no... just the best we can legally do. They are better than stock (heavy, hot) manifolds.

 

So you more about my car than me?

I showed up with the same tune that I had from my prior dyno session in April at the same shop....The weather on the day of my after-shorties dyno was 40%+ Humidity, so my WOT tune was running richer that the April Dyno (17% RH). The tuner (Charlie) brought my fuel back into line with the prior tune.. Stick to your own experience in which you really know about

 

They gotta be better than the stockers!! I,m gonna be watching!!:cheer s:

 

- I know dyno's can easily vary 5-10hp

- I know the basics of what a long tube header does

- I know that I have yet to see a shorty header on a back to back dyno with as many variables as possible the same make a worthwhile gain.

I don't need to know the specifics of any particular car to weigh the body of evidence and come to a conclusion. There's no way I would spend the money these vendors want on shorty headers for the paltry gains most people see (5-10rwhp). On the plus side they do save some weight and they certainly look better.

 

Totally, with everything you wrote! I'm very happy with B&B shorties, and with their HP gain. Whatever it is, it is noticeable!!