Got shorty headers? Give me your thoughts! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Revo1 · 01-31-2011, 02:41 AM

I know some of you guys are rockin shorties, so tell me- how do you like them? Did they make a significant difference in sound? ANY discernable gains- via rollers or just the ol butt dyno?

I know LT are preferable, but I'm in CA and want to hear from shorty users! Thanks for your povs!

Wilburbeest · 01-31-2011, 03:30 AM

I haven't had shortys on an LS motor, but I have never seen a dyno that pointed to significant gain from shortys. I'm not gonna call them a total waste of money, but if you're not doing any engine mods I would keep the stock manifolds in your situation. Make sure you pay attention to any mods done along with the headers on dynos. I have seen at least one member here post before claiming what would be some pretty impressive numbers for just headers, but they were lumping it in with high flow cats and a tune, which actually made up for nearly the entire gain with maybe 5hp worth of it being the headers. the manifolds on LS engines are basically a cast iron shorty header. Not the greatest design, but one of the better stock manifolds out there.

Firebreed · 01-31-2011, 03:59 AM

watching this, thinking about doin the same thing

buelldude · 01-31-2011, 04:51 AM

I did them; the response was better after doing so. I don’t have any numbers to back it up. The sound was a bit better, not like the LT headers. It was a good deep sound. I would say it was worth my time in putting them on! I put on the DT shorties

SlingShot · 01-31-2011, 05:50 AM

I did the DT shorties as well. I felt a little on the butt dyno, but they completed the sound when I put my foot in it. They gave a more throaty tone to complete my FlowMaster setup. Also I show my car a lot, and they give the engine bay a better finished look.

This isn't my car, but the setup is the same. Also it gets much louder under WOT ...

Snake Slayer · 01-31-2011, 08:05 AM

[The major or problem with shorty headers is that GM did such a great job with the factory manifolds. The major gains with long tubes are made with the length of the primaries, collector and moving the cats down stream. I know you live in cali but swaping back and forth from LT to the factory setup is not that bad for the SMOG as I think for you it s every 5 years??

hypurone · 01-31-2011, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Slayer

[The major or problem with shorty headers is that GM did such a great job with the factory manifolds. The major gains with long tubes are made with the length of the primaries, collector and moving the cats down stream. I know you live in cali but swaping back and forth from LT to the factory setup is not that bad for the SMOG as I think for you it s every 5 years??

Nope, that would be every 2 years. Don't have to do the initial one till the 5th or 6th year...

I have the DT shorties. Def worth it IMO. On four counts:
1. weight! - much lighter than the cast iron boat anchors
2. performance - yes there is some to be had and you can feel it
3. sound - the stockers made the exhaust sound raspy and confused, these make it smooth and melodious
4. visual - these are ceramic coated (inside and out!) so are much nicer to look at than rusty boat anchors

Mark Myles · 01-31-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingShot

I did the DT shorties as well. I felt a little on the butt dyno, but they completed the sound when I put my foot in it. They gave a more throaty tone to complete my FlowMaster setup. Also I show my car a lot, and they give the engine bay a better finished look.

This isn't my car, but the setup is the same. Also it gets much louder under WOT ...

This was the vid that sold me on the Flowmaster cat back. I love the sound it makes between shifts....

I'm still on the fence between HF cats/shorties or LT's. But with the snow, I still have a few more months to decide...

M

mikeSS · 01-31-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Slayer

[The major or problem with shorty headers is that GM did such a great job with the factory manifolds. The major gains with long tubes are made with the length of the primaries, collector and moving the cats down stream. I know you live in cali but swaping back and forth from LT to the factory setup is not that bad for the SMOG as I think for you it s every 5 years??

thats what i was thinking.

Revo1 · 01-31-2011, 10:10 AM

It's true, firs smog is after 5 years, after that it's every other....

LOL

Good to see some satisfied shorty customers out there, and thanks for not yellin at me to "just get LTs already"

ArkySS · 01-31-2011, 10:14 AM

You guys can't even do Hi Flow Cats in Cali can you?

IROCanSS · 01-31-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revo1

It's true, firs smog is after 5 years, after that it's every other....

LOL

Good to see some satisfied shorty customers out there, and thanks for not yellin at me to "just get LTs already"

Just get LTs already!!! BWAHAHAHA. Just kidding bud!!! I have zero experience with Shorties just wanted to say HEY!!!

Smog check... Boo, one of the drawbacks of sunny California I suppose!!!

Iwantone2 · 01-31-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkySS

You guys can't even do Hi Flow Cats in Cali can you?

Nope..."The Man" won't even let us move the cats 0.5", let alone replace them

Revo, ask TaylorRyan as well, he recently got JBA shorties installed

Wilburbeest · 01-31-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpizzle007

you obviously didn't read the OP. Your first sentence sums it up "I haven't had shortys on an LS motor..." . Thanks captain obvious!

That doesn't mean I don't have my share of exposure to LS motors. Also doesn't mean I haven't used shortys before in a case where the stock manifolds were FAR worse than anything on an LS engine and still barely got anything. Do you have to eat shit to know it tastes like shit? I hope not.

01-31-2011, 02:41 AM	#1
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	Got shorty headers? Give me your thoughts! I know some of you guys are rockin shorties, so tell me- how do you like them? Did they make a significant difference in sound? ANY discernable gains- via rollers or just the ol butt dyno? I know LT are preferable, but I'm in CA and want to hear from shorty users! Thanks for your povs! __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

01-31-2011, 03:30 AM	#2
Wilburbeest Think With Your Dipstick! Drives: 1997 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 185	I haven't had shortys on an LS motor, but I have never seen a dyno that pointed to significant gain from shortys. I'm not gonna call them a total waste of money, but if you're not doing any engine mods I would keep the stock manifolds in your situation. Make sure you pay attention to any mods done along with the headers on dynos. I have seen at least one member here post before claiming what would be some pretty impressive numbers for just headers, but they were lumping it in with high flow cats and a tune, which actually made up for nearly the entire gain with maybe 5hp worth of it being the headers. the manifolds on LS engines are basically a cast iron shorty header. Not the greatest design, but one of the better stock manifolds out there. __________________ - Willy 1997 Camaro Z28 (LT1/T56): K&N CAI \| Kooks 1 3/4" LTs \| 3" Custom Duals \| UMI LCAs w/ relocation brackets \| UMI adj. panhard bar \| UMI adj. torque arm \| Koni SA shocks \| Strano Springs \| Ram Powergrip clutch \| Pro 5.0 shifter \| skip shift eliminator kit \| WS6 Store rotors \| Hawk HPS pads

01-31-2011, 03:59 AM	#3
Firebreed Got Boost? Drives: 2011 1SS/RS M6 SLP TVS 2300 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 404	watching this, thinking about doin the same thing __________________ 2011 1SS/RS M6 MOD List: SLP 2300 Supercharged, Flowmaster AT Cat back, aux 4 guage cluster, 12" kicker sub and Kicker Zx400.1 amp, PFADT Lowering springs CAI Inc. CAI, Hurst Short throw shifter, JBA 1 7/8 Long tube headers. Future Mods: 416ci stroker.

01-31-2011, 04:51 AM	#4
buelldude car enthusiasts Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: virginia Posts: 708 View My Garage	? I did them; the response was better after doing so. I don’t have any numbers to back it up. The sound was a bit better, not like the LT headers. It was a good deep sound. I would say it was worth my time in putting them on! I put on the DT shorties __________________

01-31-2011, 05:50 AM	#5
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	I did the DT shorties as well. I felt a little on the butt dyno, but they completed the sound when I put my foot in it. They gave a more throaty tone to complete my FlowMaster setup. Also I show my car a lot, and they give the engine bay a better finished look. This isn't my car, but the setup is the same. Also it gets much louder under WOT ... __________________

01-31-2011, 08:05 AM	#6
Snake Slayer Drives: Awaiting 2014 C7 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 902	[The major or problem with shorty headers is that GM did such a great job with the factory manifolds. The major gains with long tubes are made with the length of the primaries, collector and moving the cats down stream. I know you live in cali but swaping back and forth from LT to the factory setup is not that bad for the SMOG as I think for you it s every 5 years??

01-31-2011, 10:10 AM	#10
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	It's true, firs smog is after 5 years, after that it's every other.... LOL Good to see some satisfied shorty customers out there, and thanks for not yellin at me to "just get LTs already" __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

01-31-2011, 10:14 AM	#11
ArkySS Camaroless for now... Drives: 2014 Blue Topaz Silverado Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,411	You guys can't even do Hi Flow Cats in Cali can you? __________________ It was fun while it lasted.....

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