Shorties, worth it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
From: Redding CA
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
i was also interested but im going to go LT and either find a smog buddy or swap them out every 2 years
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Shortes-NO, Long Tube-YES
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
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.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 399
Likes: 3
From: jacksonville fla
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
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.
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.
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!
