SHORT OR LONG TUBE HEADERS - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SCREAMING EAGLE · 11-22-2014, 02:18 PM

Gentlemen(and Ladies),I have decided to go with a CAI intake and Borla headers with cat - back "S" type exhaust. However, Which is better,long or short tube,does either have better performance and which is louder if at all or are they the same. That will probably be the extent of my performance mods. Dont plan to go into the engine.

What are your thoughts and recommendations? I have no experience with headers long or short so I really need the collective intelligece of the forum. Any and all comments are welcome including whether Borla headers are the best choice. I will definitely use their mufflers as I love the sound. Had an axel back on a Corvette once and it was a great sound

Appreciate all comments especially from those who may have experience with long and short headers. Thanks guys.

ChrisBlair · 11-22-2014, 02:30 PM

Long tube. If you want this change to produce performance results, cross 'short tube' off your list in my opinion.

Ohten · 11-22-2014, 02:30 PM

Check the engine,exhaust,bolt on section

Galts Disciple · 11-22-2014, 02:32 PM

Here's a quick explanation of the difference between the two.
http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts...t-tube-headers

UF4LIFE102SS · 11-22-2014, 02:39 PM

Come on! What works better in life LOOOOOOOOOOONG or short?
ARH, KOOKS,LG,SW not in any special order.

Tampa Tuning · 11-22-2014, 03:03 PM

Shorty headers don't flow much better than your stock manifolds. Go long tube or keep your stockers.

Phil

pyroguy · 11-22-2014, 03:05 PM

Long tube will give you more power. Shortys do sound better and have better performance than stock, but long tubes will give you better gains. The main thing with shortys is that you can still use them in California with their insane emission regulations.

GONIF · 11-22-2014, 04:57 PM

Long tubes for sure.

Camarojt · 11-22-2014, 06:24 PM

This is such an easy question, I bet if you asked your girlfriend she could even pick the correct answer!!

Camaro Dude · 11-22-2014, 06:42 PM

LT headers or go home.

As for which are best, zillion debates and arguments on this. Search.

Your wallet, and/or your warm and fuzzy feeling factor, are all that really will be in play here.

Have fun!

Baltimorejohn1 · 11-22-2014, 07:29 PM

Shorty's are good for turbos though
And when put with a mid pipe they do quite well and you will pass all inspections
If not getting a turbo later or you dont have state inspections go long IMO
The end game greatly determines which way you go now

KGL35 · 11-22-2014, 08:11 PM

It also depends if you want to do a tune on the car, long tubes require a tune the shorties do not.

rontammy0 · 11-22-2014, 08:57 PM

OP check out padres build journel....this question has been asked many times...he has good info. A lot of comments about just shorties...if you can get the hi flow cats. This combo if you don't want a tune. Im curious to see if there is a dyno comparison between long tubes with hi flow cats...and long tubes with hi flows. Long tubes make a little more power..so if its just headers..go long tubes.

digdeep0169 · 11-22-2014, 10:01 PM

you can try ST headers first... but in the end you'll end up with LT headers. learn from most of us, just go straight LT.

here's video of sound of LT headers (catless)

11-22-2014, 02:18 PM	#1
SCREAMING EAGLE Drives: 2012 CAMARO 2SS 45TH,L99 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 114	SHORT OR LONG TUBE HEADERS Gentlemen(and Ladies),I have decided to go with a CAI intake and Borla headers with cat - back "S" type exhaust. However, Which is better,long or short tube,does either have better performance and which is louder if at all or are they the same. That will probably be the extent of my performance mods. Dont plan to go into the engine. What are your thoughts and recommendations? I have no experience with headers long or short so I really need the collective intelligece of the forum. Any and all comments are welcome including whether Borla headers are the best choice. I will definitely use their mufflers as I love the sound. Had an axel back on a Corvette once and it was a great sound Appreciate all comments especially from those who may have experience with long and short headers. Thanks guys.

11-22-2014, 02:30 PM	#2
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	Long tube. If you want this change to produce performance results, cross 'short tube' off your list in my opinion. __________________

11-22-2014, 02:30 PM	#3
Ohten Drives: Granite Crystal Challenger SRT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach,FL by way of Akron,OH Posts: 1,406 View My Garage	Check the engine,exhaust,bolt on section __________________

11-22-2014, 02:32 PM	#4
Galts Disciple Drives: 2017 Camaro SS (2SS, M6) Join Date: May 2014 Location: Milford, MI Posts: 116	Here's a quick explanation of the difference between the two. http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts...t-tube-headers __________________ Rule #71: No excuses. Play like a champion!

11-22-2014, 02:39 PM	#5
UF4LIFE102SS Treasure Coast Camaro 5 Drives: 2010 2 SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vero Beach, FL. Posts: 4,239 View My Garage	Come on! What works better in life LOOOOOOOOOOONG or short? ARH, KOOKS,LG,SW not in any special order. __________________

11-22-2014, 03:03 PM	#6
Tampa Tuning Account Suspended Drives: TAMPA TUNING FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 3,044	Shorty headers don't flow much better than your stock manifolds. Go long tube or keep your stockers. Phil

11-22-2014, 03:05 PM	#7
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,917 View My Garage	Long tube will give you more power. Shortys do sound better and have better performance than stock, but long tubes will give you better gains. The main thing with shortys is that you can still use them in California with their insane emission regulations. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

11-22-2014, 04:57 PM	#8
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	Long tubes for sure. __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

11-22-2014, 06:24 PM	#9
Camarojt Drives: 2011camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Allen, Tx Posts: 2,202	This is such an easy question, I bet if you asked your girlfriend she could even pick the correct answer!!

11-22-2014, 06:42 PM	#10
Camaro Dude Drives: ‘13 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Earth Posts: 3,904	LT headers or go home. As for which are best, zillion debates and arguments on this. Search. Your wallet, and/or your warm and fuzzy feeling factor, are all that really will be in play here. Have fun!

11-22-2014, 07:29 PM	#11
Baltimorejohn1 Drives: Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Metro Posts: 1,257 View My Garage	Shorty's are good for turbos though And when put with a mid pipe they do quite well and you will pass all inspections If not getting a turbo later or you dont have state inspections go long IMO The end game greatly determines which way you go now __________________ K&N TYPHOON http://www.youtube.com/user/Baltimorejohn1

11-22-2014, 08:11 PM	#12
KGL35 Drives: 2011 RS/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Posts: 108	It also depends if you want to do a tune on the car, long tubes require a tune the shorties do not.

11-22-2014, 08:57 PM	#13
rontammy0 Account Suspended Drives: 2011 2SS/ RS INFERNO ORANGE L99 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alliston Ontario Canada Posts: 9,057 View My Garage	OP check out padres build journel....this question has been asked many times...he has good info. A lot of comments about just shorties...if you can get the hi flow cats. This combo if you don't want a tune. Im curious to see if there is a dyno comparison between long tubes with hi flow cats...and long tubes with hi flows. Long tubes make a little more power..so if its just headers..go long tubes.