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Will short headers improve performance?

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Old Feb 21, 2024 | 01:19 PM
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Default Will short headers improve performance?

Hi all, I've got a C6 LS3 A6 base with a CAI and am wondering if adding Short Headers will improve performance/hp and are worth the cost? I live in CA so long tube headers are not an option. Thanks
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Old Feb 21, 2024 | 01:29 PM
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Probably better off finding a complete Z06 system to swap on..... OE fit with the gains of shorties (If I had to guess)
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Old Feb 21, 2024 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by blownbayou
Probably better off finding a complete Z06 system to swap on..... OE fit with the gains of shorties (If I had to guess)
Agree. Your best option is to get a complete Z06 exhaust system. Being in Commifornistan severely limits you.
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Old Feb 21, 2024 | 10:40 PM
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Why are longtubes not an option? They make catted longtubes? Even moreso, likely due to the EPA, Kooks now offers higher end cats as double the price of their prior catted systems.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by PMPerformance
Why are longtubes not an option? They make catted longtubes? Even moreso, likely due to the EPA, Kooks now offers higher end cats as double the price of their prior catted systems.
I dont think anyone makes a CARB legal kit for Cali folks... not to my knowledge atleast.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by StayinStock
I dont think anyone makes a CARB legal kit for Cali folks... not to my knowledge atleast.
This. No gaurantee that the green cats won't throw a code. Also, you would need to have the car tuned and Kommiefornistan also checks for modifications to the factory tune.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Spaceme1117
This. No gaurantee that the green cats won't throw a code. Also, you would need to have the car tuned and Kommiefornistan also checks for modifications to the factory tune.
Yeah Cali is checking for tunes now too. I agree with you space, i think c6z exhaust is OPs best bet if he wants to do anything.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 10:24 AM
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The z06 manifolds many have said offer a gain, plus, as for Calif, may pass the visual portion of the smog test.

I believe Hooker brand exhausts makes a Calif legal shorty header.

As for gains from shorties, perhaps. There is certainly a weight loss and exhaust tone improvement.
Yet as noted, a "tune" will not pass Calid smog inspections.

As a next step, hi-flow cats that bolt right up to the chosen exhaust may also offer some gains.
Yet, I am unsure of smog legalities and inspection passing if installed.

Good luck with your decision.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by blownbayou
Probably better off finding a complete Z06 system to swap on..... OE fit with the gains of shorties (If I had to guess)
In Cali, this is truth. C6 Z06 OEM exhaust manifolds are VERY good. Brian Thomson, who sold out to LPE-Wixom around 9 years back, had a C6Z06 street/strip car. He also had a dyno. He told me that anyone running 600 crank hp, and under, LT's wouldn't see much gain over the OEM setup. He told me that his car gained about 10hp over the manifolds. The only reason he was running the LTs was because he couldn't return them used, and in the HPDE's he entered, everybody else was running LT's, and it would put him at a 10hp disadvantage. He told me the $2,000+ investment for a 10hp gain was one of the worst ROI's he'd ever made. Since this guy built the engines for Mark Stielow, I listened up!! Manifolds haven’t got the radiant heat issues, either. If I hadn't already had the Kooks 1-7/8 LTs, I would've gone to the OEM setup, which would also be 50 state legal, very important in Cali.....
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 02:00 PM
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Thanks for your input! Sounds like it's not worth the time or money...
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 03:28 PM
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https://www.corvettepartsandaccessor...-headers-1-3-4

Hence C.A.R.B legal shorter headers, but here is the rub, and with even shorter headers that scavenge better, unless you can tune to richen up the top end during WOT ( since the motor is going to lean out), then your not going to gain the full 10hp that you could with them.

So the CARB #D-115-20 only covers you on the headers themselves to be legal in CA on the car, but not to have the car after market tuned to take advanced of the headers isntead.

With the super charger kits, they are C.A.R.B legal, as well as the manufactors tune that comes with them as well.
https://magnusonsuperchargers.com/pr...1-23-62-265-bl

Last edited by Dano523; Feb 23, 2024 at 10:16 PM.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 03:52 PM
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Thanks Dano! I've learned a lot from this post...just wish it was easier (and cheaper) to do.
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Old Feb 22, 2024 | 06:40 PM
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My friend of almost 50 years, who lived in CA for 40 years, finally said screw it, and moved to AZ. Easier to do when you're retired, like he is. But it's one way around CARB. With all the problems in CA the last few years, you would think they'd have bigger fish to fry than checking if your tune has been altered, or not. If a car passes their sniffer test, wouldn't common (uncommon?) sense tell you it's sufficient, whether there's a 250hp V6 under the hood, or a 600hp V8, instead? If it's clean burning, its clean burning......EXCEPT in CA.......
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Old Feb 23, 2024 | 12:40 AM
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Totally agree...one more year to retirement, and it won't be in CA!!!
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Old Feb 23, 2024 | 06:01 AM
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I have the hooker shorties. Idk if they are worth the price honestly, I found mine used and I had to modify them to fit (so much for direct fit).
I can tell you that it’s a true 3” collector unlike my LS2 manifolds.
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Old Feb 23, 2024 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Cashmando
Totally agree...one more year to retirement, and it won't be in CA!!!
Shoot in that case I'd say wait and do a long tube and a real tune once you move
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Old Feb 23, 2024 | 10:11 PM
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I had shorty headers on my old C5Z, took them off and put on a set of long tubes and noticed a big difference. I say don’t waste the money on the shortys
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Old Feb 23, 2024 | 10:33 PM
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Hell, just a mater of time until Califorma air resource board starts going after electrical car parts and upgrades as well.

Hence they make a ton of money by the after market manufacturers having to get Carb numbers to be able to run the after market parts on the cars in CA, and can see them with pushing for all electric cars by 2035, will be going after them next to stay funded. Hence by then, people will be cracking the electric car os's, not only to free opt into manufacturer performed upgrades, but to better then a well.

Since this is going to cause the cars to have less mileage per charge, put more of a burden on the power grid with all the extra charges, will be a point that they will be checking the electric cars firmware versions to make sure they are stock, and maybe, even get to the point that they block even the Tesla's own pay for performance upgrade as well.
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Old Feb 24, 2024 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Dano523
Hell, just a mater of time until Califorma air resource board starts going after electrical car parts and upgrades as well.

Hence they make a ton of money by the after market manufacturers having to get Carb numbers to be able to run the after market parts on the cars in CA, and can see them with pushing for all electric cars by 2035, will be going after them next to stay funded. Hence by then, people will be cracking the electric car os's, not only to free opt into manufacturer performed upgrades, but to better then a well.

Since this is going to cause the cars to have less mileage per charge, put more of a burden on the power grid with all the extra charges, will be a point that they will be checking the electric cars firmware versions to make sure they are stock, and maybe, even get to the point that they block even the Tesla's own pay for performance upgrade as well.
Exactly! CA is so broke, they're trying to pass a mileage tax now for every mile you drive!!!
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Old Feb 24, 2024 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Cashmando
Exactly! CA is so broke, they're trying to pass a mileage tax now for every mile you drive!!!
IF, and that's a big IF, it was applied fairly to the vehicles that don't pay gas tax, it's not a bad idea.
Why should the green weenies get a free pass on road constrction, maintenance, etc.? They already get a tax break when they buy their cars.
But, it wouldn't be a fair tax, it would probably apply to everyone and be an additional tax.
And according to newscumb, we're not technically broke. We can just borrow more $$ and let our kids bail us out.
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