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Shorties, worth it?

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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 05:53 PM
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Default Shorties, worth it?

My final goal is about 340-350whp. I don't want to mess with LTs because of emissions. I already got intake, next I'm looking at headers and tune, maybe x-pipe, a mild cam later on (with dyno tune, valve springs, etc).

Shorties seem to go for $300 now, and I do the install myself. Are they worth the trouble?

Yeah the car is an '01 vert A4.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 06:15 PM
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from what i am told...shorties are worthless, some have reported small gains but some have even lost power. no sound difference, mainly just a looks mods. hope this helps.

i was also interested but im going to go LT and either find a smog buddy or swap them out every 2 years
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 06:17 PM
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From my years on here I've always heard that they aren't worth it. But they would look better under the hood.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 06:40 PM
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waste of time.

get lt headers or stay stock.

you can use lt's in cali if you have cat convertors installed.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 06:54 PM
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Shortes-NO, Long Tube-YES
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by imavettegirl
waste of time.

get lt headers or stay stock.

you can use lts in cali if you have cat convertors installed.
You can if you have a friendly smog guy. They will fail visual if they guy is a *****.

Okay, the next question is, is it worth getting a cam without LTs or even without heads? I know H/C + LT gives serious bump in hp but that's half the value of my car. It's getting more economical to trade in a C6 soon...

I was thinking of spending at most 2-3k on bolt-ons.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 07:35 PM
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if you have the stock auto rear gears you should start there.
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Old Aug 31, 2010 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by imavettegirl
if you have the stock auto rear gears you should start there.


Gears and a good high stall converter are the best bang for the buck on an A4. Go with long tubes don't waste you're time with shortys.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 11:29 AM
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you mentioned a mild cam down the road... Definately go with LTs
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 11:58 AM
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LT's...shorties suck
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 12:21 PM
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Not very often do I disagree with the LT suggestion but,,,,SOME ,, don’t have a choice and don’t want to press the emissions issue.

In that case, shorties work. Not anywhere as efficient as long tubes but they do work. You will probably see 10-12 RWHP and they look a whole lot better than stock cast iron. If you get them for a good price,, don’t worry about it. Hey,,, if you install them and they don’t meet your expatiations,, I’m sure that you can re sell them for what you have invested in them. Give them a try. They were $1200 when they were first introduced back in 98-99. $300 isn’t that bad!

With the proper mods and tuning after your done installing all your mods, you will get a very good seat of the pants improvement and not have to deal with the emissions people.

Vararam, ported TB, tune and shorties will get you close. A set of 243 heads will make a big difference.

Last edited by Bill Curlee; Sep 1, 2010 at 12:23 PM.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 12:25 PM
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not sure if shorties will give you 10-12 rwhp.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 01:58 PM
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I've seen people claim ~10rwhp, but never in a back to back dyno. And I've seen to many claiming less. Thus I put them in the "not worth it" category.

Last edited by 99C5JA1; Sep 1, 2010 at 02:02 PM.
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Old Sep 1, 2010 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by T5Mika
My final goal is about 340-350whp. I don't want to mess with LTs because of emissions. I already got intake, next I'm looking at headers and tune, maybe x-pipe, a mild cam later on (with dyno tune, valve springs, etc).

Shorties seem to go for $300 now, and I do the install myself. Are they worth the trouble?

Yeah the car is an '01 vert A4.
Not worth full price.. but better if you can get a set used.. about 1/2 the price..

In CA.. yes.. you'll see some gains just not as much as you would if you had a set of long tubes... but the LT's wont pass smog... Make sure teh shorties you get have a CARB plate on them...

When you do the install gimmie a shout .. I still need to get mine on.. we can have a header party!
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