Shorties VS Z06 headers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, CA
Shorties VS Z06 headers
Firstly, I am in California. A vast majority of shortie threads are flooded with "just get LT" comments. That is not an option.
So from what I understand, I've seen comments saying that the LS1's received the LS6 exhaust manifold setup from 01-04 (I have an 01). Is this the case?
With the shorties, I understand that there will only be a very slight increase in HP but I've seen comments saying that aftermarket shorties can be anywhere from 20-30lbs lighter than the original setup. Is there any truth to that? I don't think I could justify the new cost for those little bit of gains but for a little HP and some weight reduction I could justify a used pair depending on the cost.
Also open to suggestions of a setup that fits on the LS1 that comes directly from a later model Vette or LS series engine.
The weight reduction is pretty much the deciding factor for me in regards to picking up a used pair.
So from what I understand, I've seen comments saying that the LS1's received the LS6 exhaust manifold setup from 01-04 (I have an 01). Is this the case?
With the shorties, I understand that there will only be a very slight increase in HP but I've seen comments saying that aftermarket shorties can be anywhere from 20-30lbs lighter than the original setup. Is there any truth to that? I don't think I could justify the new cost for those little bit of gains but for a little HP and some weight reduction I could justify a used pair depending on the cost.
Also open to suggestions of a setup that fits on the LS1 that comes directly from a later model Vette or LS series engine.
The weight reduction is pretty much the deciding factor for me in regards to picking up a used pair.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,774
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
Per this forum, the manifolds are about 16 pounds each, not accounting for cats and such. Billie Boats say their shorties weigh about 15 pounds, but don't say if that's each or per pair. My mind thinks that's each -- the flange has to be a pound or two on its own. If they are 15 pounds, and the LS6 are 16 pounds, that's a lot of money for no real reduction -- you will still have to connect to the same CARB approved cats. They will look shiny though!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-stock.html
There are other references on the forum that indicate LS7 manifolds weigh less, increase power, and -- once adapted to the exhaust -- pass smog.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-stock.html
There are other references on the forum that indicate LS7 manifolds weigh less, increase power, and -- once adapted to the exhaust -- pass smog.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,670
Per this forum, the manifolds are about 16 pounds each, not accounting for cats and such. Billie Boats say their shorties weigh about 15 pounds, but don't say if that's each or per pair. My mind thinks that's each -- the flange has to be a pound or two on its own. If they are 15 pounds, and the LS6 are 16 pounds, that's a lot of money for no real reduction -- you will still have to connect to the same CARB approved cats. They will look shiny though!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-stock.html
There are other references on the forum that indicate LS7 manifolds weigh less, increase power, and -- once adapted to the exhaust -- pass smog.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-stock.html
There are other references on the forum that indicate LS7 manifolds weigh less, increase power, and -- once adapted to the exhaust -- pass smog.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,670
To be clear, the 12.89@110mph 1/4 mile was thru stock LS1 exhaust manifolds, with gutted cats on the stock factory H-pipe, with Flowmaster mufflers. The 12.50@114mph was run with the ONLY change being the BB shorties, thru the same gutted cats on the stock factory H-pipe, and Flowmasters.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,670
From the appearance, the Z06 manifolds are probably worth a few hp. I don't know when, or if, the LS1 received the LS6 exhaust manifolds. I do know the '01-up LS1s received the LS6 INTAKE manifolds. I'm certain the shorties are considerably lighter than either factory exhaust manifold. But I believe the shorties will be at least as much of a hp improvement over the Z06 manifolds as the Z06 manifolds are over the earlier manifolds. To be clear, LTs are your best bet, but if you can't run them due to smog inspections, the shorties would be my first choice, IF they're smog certified, with the Z06 manifolds my second choice. You may want to call SLP (Street Legal Performance), and see if any of their LTs are smog legal. Hope this helps.......
Last edited by grinder11; Apr 9, 2021 at 11:05 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 502
In California, no long tube headers will not be smog legal...essentially any time you move the O2 sensors and catalytic converters from their stock location, all the emission parameters will change from the factory setting.
That's not to say you can't install long tubes and cats and have them tuned to meet smog parameters....but the exemption would cost a lot of money and may take 2 to 4 years since CARB is so efficient at doing their jobs.
That's not to say you can't install long tubes and cats and have them tuned to meet smog parameters....but the exemption would cost a lot of money and may take 2 to 4 years since CARB is so efficient at doing their jobs.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 502
I'm pretty sure I have a set of Billy Boats shorties that came in the trunk of my C5 when I bought it. I'm in Vacaville...PM me if you're interested and I'll pull them out of storage and get you some pictures.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 398
From: Raleigh Suburbs
I've been of the opinion shorties are worth it for those that need them. I ran shorties on my LS2 Goat for main reasons:
- They separate the exhaust into individual runners, increasing efficiency
- They save several pounds, I remember something like 15 over stock LS2
- Only CARB legal, I was planning for CA also. This obviously limits your options, but they are out there
I say go for it, cost for even new is minimal in theory, that made my decision, and will guide any future upgrade.
- They separate the exhaust into individual runners, increasing efficiency
- They save several pounds, I remember something like 15 over stock LS2
- Only CARB legal, I was planning for CA also. This obviously limits your options, but they are out there
I say go for it, cost for even new is minimal in theory, that made my decision, and will guide any future upgrade.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
I have Billy Boat shorties on my 2001 and am in California. If they weren't already on the car when I bought it, I wouldn't waste the money. The "upgraded" OEM manifolds aren't very different than the shorties and I would be surprised if they were considerably lighter. They would be an upgrade of sorts over the early style manifold, but again, is it really worth it? If you're itching to mod something, it won't hurt, but I wouldn't pay much money for them.
Very importantly, if you get shorties, be absolutely certain they have a CARB approval on them for your model year. If your model year isn't listed on the CARB approval, they're just as illegal as long tubes. The LS7 manifolds, although stand a high chance of getting past the average smog tech, aren't legal for your car either. If your car ends up at the state ref for one of various reasons, anything that isn't the stock part or doesn't have a CARB EO for your car is a no-go. I'm sure a few guys might chime in and say they've passed smog just fine with some parts, which may be true, but the average smog tech is a little different than the state ref. Getting lucky isn't the same as being 100% smog legal
Very importantly, if you get shorties, be absolutely certain they have a CARB approval on them for your model year. If your model year isn't listed on the CARB approval, they're just as illegal as long tubes. The LS7 manifolds, although stand a high chance of getting past the average smog tech, aren't legal for your car either. If your car ends up at the state ref for one of various reasons, anything that isn't the stock part or doesn't have a CARB EO for your car is a no-go. I'm sure a few guys might chime in and say they've passed smog just fine with some parts, which may be true, but the average smog tech is a little different than the state ref. Getting lucky isn't the same as being 100% smog legal
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Your decision pretty much matches with all the facts,
I also live in California, so have also looked into this issue, with the same findings. Weight savings is the main attraction with short headers, so mostly for auto cross guys is the report. LG published their thoughts and said that they couldn't get enough performance gains with shorty headers to make them worthwhile adding to the product line, so didn't.
I had pretty much ditched the idea of adding shorty headers, but the above report of a measurable performance gain, no matter how slight, kind of opened up the subject again for me. Little improvements add up over time, a shame the money doesn't always work out for a reasonable decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 398
From: Raleigh Suburbs
My JBAs were several lbs lighter per side, LS2. That's good enough for me, free weight hehe. The factory manifolds for us are cast iron, these aftermarket shorties are mild steel, or stainless if lucky. That's a big difference.
Also I hear the individual primaries help with power compared to the factory manifolds which just dump the runners into a big chamber. Better even if equal length, but I don't know any more than that. When feasible I like to have the best technology on my car.
Also I hear the individual primaries help with power compared to the factory manifolds which just dump the runners into a big chamber. Better even if equal length, but I don't know any more than that. When feasible I like to have the best technology on my car.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,670
My JBAs were several lbs lighter per side, LS2. That's good enough for me, free weight hehe. The factory manifolds for us are cast iron, these aftermarket shorties are mild steel, or stainless if lucky. That's a big difference.
Also I hear the individual primaries help with power compared to the factory manifolds which just dump the runners into a big chamber. Better even if equal length, but I don't know any more than that. When feasible I like to have the best technology on my car.
Also I hear the individual primaries help with power compared to the factory manifolds which just dump the runners into a big chamber. Better even if equal length, but I don't know any more than that. When feasible I like to have the best technology on my car.