Cali Legal - Exhaust / Headers / HF Air Filter - Your recommendations?

[2SSRSB]

Greetings

I'm shopping for California street-legal mods to improve HP and sound.

Thinking of shorty headers, exhaust and, of course, a hi-flow air filter.

Question - will shorty headers (combined with the other mods) actually deliver more HP? Or is sound their primary benefit? I know that on motorcycles opening up the headers can reduce back pressure on the engine and actually reduce HP. Thoughts?

Question - can you recommend CA street-legal exhaust set-up (other than GMPP)? Looking for HP first, sound second.

Question - I know folks have favorites, but aren't all hi-flow filters pretty much the same (from a performance perspective)? If not, what do you recommend versus GMPP?

Oh - and I want to do any/all of the above without a tune, if possible.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

[BabyHauler]

CAI cold air kit
Doug Thorley shorty headers
and the cat back that produces the sound you like.

This set up should run fine without a tune

[BlackSS831]

Just put whatever you want on your Camaro! Don't worry about Carb stickers. You drive a "CAMARO"! Not a Honda, cops loves muscle cars.

[hypurone]

The only thing you can run into issues on will be a CAI system as none of them are CARB exempt! Just keep your stock one to swap out when the time comes for a smog test.

I have DT shorties and no muffs on mine as well as the Cold Air inductions CAI.

You will get pretty much only sound from the axle back. The DT's made an appreciable difference as did the CAI.

If you don't want to deal with a CAI swap out down the road, use a K&N drop in and be done with it.

[2SSRSB]

Originally Posted by hypurone

The only thing you can run into issues on will be a CAI system as none of them are CARB exempt! Just keep your stock one to swap out when the time comes for a smog test.

I have DT shorties and no muffs on mine as well as the Cold Air inductions CAI.

You will get pretty much only sound from the axle back. The DT's made an appreciable difference as did the CAI.

If you don't want to deal with a CAI swap out down the road, use a K&N drop in and be done with it.

Thanks, Chuck!

[axis]

Before you blow $$ on shorties, i'd suggest you read the two current shorty threads and decide for yourself if they are worth the price. I personally wouldn't waste $$ on them but it's something you should make up your own mind about. A good CAI will make HP.

[hypurone]

Originally Posted by axis

Before you blow $$ on shorties, i'd suggest you read the two current shorty threads and decide for yourself if they are worth the price. I personally wouldn't waste $$ on them but it's something you should make up your own mind about. A good CAI will make HP.

Everyone has their opinion on their performance and I don't feel that was a "standup" test as there was not enough time between resets of the ECM for it to relearn the shortie setup.

Regardless, they will change the exhaust tone to a more mellow, less raspy growl. Which I feel is worth it all by itself even without the noticeable performance gain I got.

[hypurone]

Originally Posted by 2SSRSB

Thanks, Chuck!

Welcome! Not sure how soon you are doing yours but I will be down in the Canyon Lake/Fallbrook/Bonsall area in May (24-29) and you can listen to my setup then if ya want! It won't be a good indicator for power as I am having a SC done when I am down there!!

[Michael_Js]

Ok, my car was done on 2 different dynos at 2 very different times and weather conditions. The RWHP was the same before and after the JBA Shorty Headers were put on. I was very unhappy. I like the sound that got a little better, but other than that, I don't see a difference. Now, a tune might solve the problem and that's next

[2010 4 DW]

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

Ok, my car was done on 2 different dynos at 2 very different times and weather conditions. The RWHP was the same before and after the JBA Shorty Headers were put on. I was very unhappy. I like the sound that got a little better, but other than that, I don't see a difference. Now, a tune might solve the problem and that's next

You said it..

You need to test on the same dyno or nothing matters.

I saw a Supercharged 2010 Camaro do 420rwhp on one dyno and 560rwhp on another. You always need to use the same dyno or the numbers really don't matter.

DW

[axis]

Originally Posted by 2010 4 DW

You said it..

You need to test on the same dyno or nothing matters.

I saw a Supercharged 2010 Camaro do 420rwhp on one dyno and 560rwhp on another. You always need to use the same dyno or the numbers really don't matter.

DW

That's not a difference in dyno's, that's a difference of messed up settings.

[MTI Racing Kevin]

We have been installing the American Racing header system, which includes Headers, X-Pipe, and High Flow Cats with our CIA and a tune to make 50HP everytime with no other mods. Add in the Stage 2 camshaft and it's 100HP to 110HP extra. It is always a good idea to get a tune done when you are increasing the amount of air going in and out of the engine as well as getting all the new parts working together to make as much horsepower as possible. Not to mention the driveability of your Camaro after the work is done. Let me know if you have any questions I am happy to help.

[Michael_Js]

I'll probably be seeking help once my Diablo Trinity comes in I'm trying to read all about tuning and my little brain is swelling up! I'll actually get a dyno tune in a while, but will start with a canned tune.

I want to maximize all the mods I've made already without doing too much more on performance parts. Suspension mods are were I'm at now

Thanks

[jag107]

Originally Posted by hypurone

The only thing you can run into issues on will be a CAI system as none of them are CARB exempt! Just keep your stock one to swap out when the time comes for a smog test.

I have DT shorties and no muffs on mine as well as the Cold Air inductions CAI.

You will get pretty much only sound from the axle back. The DT's made an appreciable difference as did the CAI.

If you don't want to deal with a CAI swap out down the road, use a K&N drop in and be done with it.

Hypurone,
have you had any issues (law wise) with your muff delete? Did you do it yourself or were you able to find a shop to do it? I would really prefer a shop to do the delete for half or less the price than the SLP loudmouth.