Shorty vs long tube headers

[max rider]

How much better will the long tubes be over the shorties? Are they worth the hassle? I ran shorty headers on my fox mustang and they performed well. What brand of shorty headers do you recommend if I go that route. Will shorty headers throw the code like long tubes? Thanks for any info.

[clg_98ta]

The distance to the collectors affects the powerband. LT headers produce gains at high RPMs, while shorties help more in the mid range. Since max HP typically occurs near redline, you'll see the most gain with LTs. These are your best bet if you race.

Shorties provide a noticeable punch and are a lot of fun for normal driving.

[Issh]

I thought Long tubes improved the bottom end while shorties are more for top end?

Originally Posted by clg_98ta

The distance to the collectors affects the powerband. LT headers produce gains at high RPMs, while shorties help more in the mid range. Since max HP typically occurs near redline, you'll see the most gain with LTs. These are your best bet if you race.

Shorties provide a noticeable punch and are a lot of fun for normal driving.

[Bowtie Junkman]

One of the magazines (I think it was Super Chevy) recently did a comparo on an LS3 Camaro with just a CAI ....
First they installed shortys and gained 7HP ....
Then they installed long-tubes and gained "23HP more" (I'm assuming for a total gain of 30HP ...
Interesting stuff .... I think I know my next mod ...

[max rider]

If they gained 30hp with just headers that is amazing. Or shows you how sorry the stock manifolds are. I sure wish the shorties would do that. They would be so much easier th install.

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by max rider

If they gained 30hp with just headers that is amazing. Or shows you how sorry the stock manifolds are. I sure wish the shorties would do that. They would be so much easier th install.

It's high flow cats (or no cats) that makes the biggest difference with the LT's. If you swap out the STOCK cats with high flow mid pipes you can get pretty decent results also.

[MileMAN402]

if you don't mind losing your warranty...get LTs. they will give you at least 30hp when properly tuned and shorties are more for looks than a true performance mod

[max rider]

How would long tubes void the warranty?

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Issh

I thought Long tubes improved the bottom end while shorties are more for top end?

nope LTs are better for high RPM... because more fuel/ air gets out quicker

[wbt]

Originally Posted by MileMAN402

if you don't mind losing your warranty...get LTs. they will give you at least 30hp when properly tuned and shorties are more for looks than a true performance mod

Load of crap. Installing LT's is NOT going to void your warranty.

[JS]

Shorty will not make more lowend or topend over a proper longtube
Waste of money, go longtube or just hi flow cat pipes.

[axis]

Originally Posted by wbt

Load of crap. Installing LT's is NOT going to void your warranty.

Installing them won't void it but tuning it to get rid of the CEL's will.

[steven32708]

Will it remove just the warranty for the exhaust or for anything else?

[bi11ymc]

Originally Posted by steven32708

Will it remove just the warranty for the exhaust or for anything else?

Talk to the dealer that would do your warranty work. They might not have a problem with long tubes or a tune, or they might. Some dealers want to do the installation and tune themselves to keep the warranty intact. Others, just want to keep their customers happy and will try to use the GM Warranty no matter what you do to the car, as long as GM does not have to get directly involved. It all depends on your dealer.