Shorty vs. Long Tube Headers
 

I'm interested in swapping out my stock manifolds for headers in my 95 coupe. I don't race the car, just like to improve the look and feel plus optimize the performance without draining the wallet. I've been staring at the stock units for a while now and have been researching the differences between short & long tube headers. Almost all of my driving is on the road, low to middle RPM's and it seems that the shorty's would improve the engine bay look and serve me well.

Any experiences pro or con on this choice?

Thanks.

I just asked a similar question in the perf section... Seems as though the the consensus
( 2 that replied) was American Racing, Stainless Works. Those are for long tubes though.

Those are two manufacturers that I came up with for long tube as well. But I also liked the Hooker 2061-1 short tube units which look really nice and might meet my needs.

hooker made headers for the zr1??????

First off, what quantifies race car to you? Production cars are 650+ hp now.

Shorties will not increase much or noticeable other than on a dyno anyways if at all. Looks only.

The LT1 had improved intake and exhaust over the l98.

Long tubes add performance, but again all depends what you are looking to do. No one mod you do or 2-3 will make it a race car.

If you are handy you can get OBX headers which are an expensive brand knock off for about 400.00 some people here bitch about the install, but it depends on your situation and skills. Other wise headers they will cost you.

To save you the speech or future questions... the easiest most sensible mods that will get you about 425hp if you ever want are: Change crank to make a 383 and over 500hp.

port intake (probably fine stock but if it's off)
heads
long tube headers
cam
1.6 roller rockers
injectors / tune

If you do 3.73-4.10 gears in stick it will wake up the car and make 6th more unusable.

^^^
wouldnt so shorties unless youre just after looks and the manifolds just bug you. LT5 headers wont fit the LT1

I don't race the car, just want to improve the looks when I look around the engine bay. The rusted looking stock manifold just isn't appealing to me.

Yep... you hit the nail on the head! Just trying to improve the engine appearance as the existing manifold is so bleah...

Long tubes would be better than short. Long tube headers make more low-mid tq than shorties. Shorties would likely make a very very small change over the stock, good flowing manifolds.

If you're just looking to improve the look of the rusty manifolds, I'd consider trying some the manifold dressings that are available.

https://www.eastwood.com/calyx-manif...ting-3-oz.html

This is a recipe for success....:thumbs::cheers:


To save you the speech or future questions... the easiest most sensible mods that will get you about 425hp if you ever want are: Change crank to make a 383 and over 500hp.

port intake (probably fine stock but if it's off)
heads
long tube headers
cam
1.6 roller rockers
injectors / tune

If you do 3.73-4.10 gears in stick it will wake up the car and make 6th more unusable.[/QUOTE]

I put a set of pacesetter shorties on my 95 vert two years ago. I did the shorties for several reasons, my stock manifolds were cracked and were noisy, having a convertible and dealing with the X brace wasn't anything I wanted to mess with and shorty headers bolt right up to the existing down pipe of the exhaust. It did clean up the engine bay appearance some, it made the exhaust a little louder( which I liked) the only real drawback was spark plug access. It really sucks now. And make sure you get a good set of gaskets like fel-pro and don't use the ones that come with the headers.
You'll hear most people say it's not worth anything to put shorties on, if you're looking to add 30 hp, yea, it's not gonna do that. But if you have other reasons or you just don't want to spend a bundle on LT headers, then do what you want. It is, afterall , your car.
Over the last two years, I've put shorties on, replaced the catalytic converters, installed muffler elims, cut the air filter lid, bypassed the throttle body coolant and a few other odds n ends that were free. By my guesstimate I've maybe gained 10-12 hp. I have less than 400$ in the mods to get that. Not a horrible return. And it does sound good!!

:iagree::cheers:

Are there shorties that a guy can buy that at the same time eliminate the cats for those who live in locations that do not require testing?


I would think this would boost performance slightly and also give a little more growl to a stock exhaust.

I had my stock manifolds media blasted and ceramic coated for $100. Same effect as $400 shorty headers, won't rust, reduce heat, and fitment is better than any shorty header.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...eee3926147.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...a765fa4e24.jpg

TorchTarga94 Where did you get those plugs for the top of the manifold?

If you don't go the shorty route (you don't have to spend $1600+ on ARH, very good, heavy and maybe overkill)

Here are 3 mfgs I'm considering:

TPiS
Melrose
EM (exotic muscle)

all are around $700+ coated

Say what? All of those are LT headers. (?)

If your Corvette is a cruiser, keep into consideration the heat factor.

Headers will eliminate manifolds and cat-converters heat shields.

I fixed it for you:seeya