there are so many header variations out there, shorty, long tube, which ones are better, what brand/model make the most hp at the lowest price, what real hp gains are expected, are certain kinds easier to install then others? thanks for the imput

 

Shorties are a joke. Mid lenghts and long tubes have similar gains. I hear SLP long tubes have bad ground clearance. I went with mids for ground clearance purposes.

 

Shorties aren't a joke. And I wish that you'd quit saying that in every header post that you contribute to. Every part has it's uses. They are a compromise for those who live in states that will fail any car with long tubes or mids.
That being said. If you have a 2000 or up the gain with the shorties isn't economical. Now for 98-99 cars you could gain 6-8 hp at the wheels on a stock motor.
As far as mids go Macs are good for medium level gains.
Long tubes are all about equal performance wise. They range in price and quality from les than $300 uncoated to $12-1300 for complete stainless systems.
Spend what you are comfortable with and check out all of the various vendors for write ups on what you'll get in each package.
I went with Dynotech race headers with merge collectors. No emissions on a trailered car.

 

I'll try to be more in depth.

Many long tubes can be bought for the price of shorties. The performance gain between shorties and long tubes is around 15-20 hp. As for emissions, shorties are the only CARB legal headers. Going with long tubes or mids you can get a Y pipe with cats and be likely to pass emissions. I asked around what to do about my headers when it was time for smog and several people recommended just taking it in because they usually don't say anything unless it can't pass the sniffer part of the test. So even if you have emissions I wouldn't get shorties. IMO it would be better spent on mids/long tubes with cats and then taking a slight risk around smog time.

 

i have ceramic coated pacesetters and i couldnt be happier. VERY minor fitment issues, excellent power gains and they are still shiny silver after an entire winter in the snow (didnt have a beater at the time....now my Z doesn't even see rain. ).

 

Why would shorties be less economical in a 2000 and up car opposed to the 98-99 cars? I don't undertand that statement at all.

 

What else could you get them coated with from the dealer?

 

because the 2000+ fbodies got tubular exhaust manifolds which are similar to shorties
therefore, the gains are next to nothing going from them to shorties

btw, for some good mids, i think rksport would do you fine
i think that's what i'm getting
emissions legal, ceramic coated, and comes with a y-pipe also all for 450$ on their site
not bad if you ask me

 

i have coated pacesetters (the new design) and I havent had a single problem with them

the slid right in, and dont even come CLOSE to hitting anything...very good ground clearance, and they dont bang on the floorpan either

I got mine for $430 shipped with 02 exstensions.

I am satisfied with the price and I would buy them again.

 

nothing that i know of????

 

WRONG....................................98-99s came with a factory tubular exhaust. Changing them out woth some shorties usually gains around 6-8hp at the wheels....................00-02 came with some really good flowing cast iron manifolds. Changing them out for shorties usually nets 0-3hp at the wheels.
And I thought that RK sport headers were shorties.

 

my '99 had log-style manifolds.....dont resemble shorties at all

I would go with LTs if your not worried about ground clearance (I dont have any clearance problems with my pacesetters, though..dont know about other brands)

they look great and definately better if you you plan on doing an agressive cam swap later

I cant speak for shorties though...i have never had them...always LTs

 

since most people bash shorties i always have to put in my 2 cents worth. a fair comparison is shorties w high flow cats and y pipe. long tubes already come with y pipe. i have called jba & edelbrock and both claim 11 flywheel hp gain. random techs cats & y pipe also claim that much. so 8 plus 8 equals 16 (rwhp,unless the manufacturers don't tell the truth) for the shorties versus long tubes at 20 plus. now shorties aren't cheap but they are legal since they don't move the cats.