Dif between shorty's and LT's?
09-22-2009, 02:19 PM
#4
Race Director
Shorty headers won't produce the power of long tubes. But, shorty headers have some advantages.
They should produce about 10hp, about twice what any air intake system produces. They'll sound better than the cast iron manifolds. They'll improve the appearance under the hood. Most owners can install them themselves because they simply bolt on to the oem system.
If you live in a state with strict emissions requirements, the B&B shorty headers for example are 50 state CARB compliant.
The shorty headers will install into your oem system w/o the need to modify the rest of the system. They won't need to be R&R'ed back to the cast iron manifolds with every emissions test/inspection.
Shorty headers don't require a tune like long tube headers will if you want the full benefit.
A big benefit is they'll reduce the front end weight by about 20# (or more).
They should produce about 10hp, about twice what any air intake system produces. They'll sound better than the cast iron manifolds. They'll improve the appearance under the hood. Most owners can install them themselves because they simply bolt on to the oem system.
If you live in a state with strict emissions requirements, the B&B shorty headers for example are 50 state CARB compliant.
The shorty headers will install into your oem system w/o the need to modify the rest of the system. They won't need to be R&R'ed back to the cast iron manifolds with every emissions test/inspection.
Shorty headers don't require a tune like long tube headers will if you want the full benefit.
A big benefit is they'll reduce the front end weight by about 20# (or more).
Steve, you do get power gains with shorties. Just not near the gains that LT give you.
09-22-2009, 06:04 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
I'm planning my future mod's and I've been back and forth on this issue. I've always had long tube headers on the hot rods that I've built in the past, in fact I never even thought about not using long tubes. But on my Z06 I'm really considering shorties. I know that in the future I will need a clutch and shorties make that a easier job. I've installed many cluthes but on the Z06 I might hire that out due to the fact of removing the trans/diff. Shorties will be easy to install and cheaper and they look as good as long tubes from the engine bay. I havn't made up my mind but at this time I'm thinking about shorties also.
09-22-2009, 06:14 PM
#8
Instructor
Member Since: Aug 2009
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If I'm considering getting headers in the future is it worth it to save the $ for long tubes or just get shorties If I can get them faster? I'm impatient but willing to wait if it makes a huge difference lol... Also, will shorties function as well with a cam swap or does a cam swap essentially require long tubes? I feel like everytime I hear anything about cam swaps LT headers are suggested as well 
09-22-2009, 06:23 PM
#9
Try search in Tech section, in short: BB step headers
*35 lbs off engine block is great thing, etc. etc. etc., we are talking about choice being removed by way of EMISSION LAWS!
03 A4 3.15 dual cones intake, smooth coupler and exhaust and BB SS custom step shorties = 331 RWHP and 347 RWtorgue,with an HPtune,by Charlie Williams. Where oh where, did the 347 RWtorque come from???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????
Gee listin to many of these quys and they THINK you lose power.
Torque at low range is quite good with shorts. Shorties are better than many people buy into, facts, i.e. dyno results compared to baseline, speak louder than opinion based on opinions.
*35 lbs off engine block is great thing, etc. etc. etc., we are talking about choice being removed by way of EMISSION LAWS!
03 A4 3.15 dual cones intake, smooth coupler and exhaust and BB SS custom step shorties = 331 RWHP and 347 RWtorgue,with an HPtune,by Charlie Williams. Where oh where, did the 347 RWtorque come from???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????
Gee listin to many of these quys and they THINK you lose power.
Torque at low range is quite good with shorts. Shorties are better than many people buy into, facts, i.e. dyno results compared to baseline, speak louder than opinion based on opinions.
09-22-2009, 06:51 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
My Z06 is scary fast right now. The mod's I want are just for looks and fun. I can't stay into the gas now. If I had a standard C5 I might give long tubes a little more thought.
09-22-2009, 07:01 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2009
Location: Los Angeles California
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I'm thinking about going with the shorties now because CA emissions laws are ridiculous. But the weight savings and the little extra kick would be nice. I think I can get away with high-flow cats and an X-pipe after that. Should gain a lot more torque that way. Even if I only gain 10HP at the wheels, I should gain another 20lbs/tq and losing 20Lbs is like gaining 2HP at the wheels.
Also, the shorties are going to make a bigger difference when I get the blower.
Also, the shorties are going to make a bigger difference when I get the blower.
09-22-2009, 11:39 PM
#17
Team Owner
Shorty headers won't produce the power of long tubes. But, shorty headers have some advantages.
They should produce about 10hp, about twice what any air intake system produces. They'll sound better than the cast iron manifolds. They'll improve the appearance under the hood. Most owners can install them themselves because they simply bolt on to the oem system.
If you live in a state with strict emissions requirements, the B&B shorty headers for example are 50 state CARB compliant.
The shorty headers will install into your oem system w/o the need to modify the rest of the system. They won't need to be R&R'ed back to the cast iron manifolds with every emissions test/inspection.
Shorty headers don't require a tune like long tube headers will if you want the full benefit.
A big benefit is they'll reduce the front end weight by about 20# (or more).
They should produce about 10hp, about twice what any air intake system produces. They'll sound better than the cast iron manifolds. They'll improve the appearance under the hood. Most owners can install them themselves because they simply bolt on to the oem system.
If you live in a state with strict emissions requirements, the B&B shorty headers for example are 50 state CARB compliant.
The shorty headers will install into your oem system w/o the need to modify the rest of the system. They won't need to be R&R'ed back to the cast iron manifolds with every emissions test/inspection.
Shorty headers don't require a tune like long tube headers will if you want the full benefit.
A big benefit is they'll reduce the front end weight by about 20# (or more).
Couldn't have said it better myself. Very happy with my B&B's.
09-22-2009, 11:45 PM
#18
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
This was a great discussion post!
09-23-2009, 10:10 AM
#19
Drifting
I'm thinking about going with the shorties now because CA emissions laws are ridiculous. But the weight savings and the little extra kick would be nice. I think I can get away with high-flow cats and an X-pipe after that. Should gain a lot more torque that way. Even if I only gain 10HP at the wheels, I should gain another 20lbs/tq and losing 20Lbs is like gaining 2HP at the wheels.
Also, the shorties are going to make a bigger difference when I get the blower.
Also, the shorties are going to make a bigger difference when I get the blower.
I did the Random hi-flow cats from WCC as well with an X-pipe. No problem passing smog here in Kalifornia. I recommend hi-flow cats to get optimum performance out of the shorties 
