I am thinking about getting headers for my car. I really want long tubes but in CA they are illegal. I was just wondering what the best short tube headers are in terms of power and sound. I also am wondering which coating is best, chrome, nickle, ceramic, etc.

-thanks
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2002 ta ws6
Mods: SLP louthmouth
granatelli MAF
Hypertech programmer III
160 deg. powerstat
K&N FIPK

 

expensive but JBA would be your choice...Hooker makes really good cheap shorties aswell
Rick

 

You should be aware that shorty headers rarely produce a performance gain in our cars though.
Dave

 

I'd just port your stock iron manifolds. Shorties do not yield very impressive gains on the 01-02 cars.

 

Just get the hell out of CA and buy some friggin long tubes!!!

 

I would just leave the stock manifolds on. If you are dead set on getting shortie headers, then get the cheapest ones. You won't see that much of a gain from them.

 

Are there any CA legal headers that are worth getting? Are there any companies that make 50 state legal long tube headers for my car?

thanks
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2002 ta ws6

 

JBA makes a very durable shorty header. They are completely CARB legal.
They cost between $500 - $800 for parts (cost depends on coatings).

JBA's own posted dyno results on a '99 Firebird Formula with their headers was about 12 rwhp and 12 rwtq increase. I believe it was an A4.

I may have them installed for the performance gain, little as it may be, "and" the resulting exhaust note.

As referenced on this board before, inorder to be smog legal in California the cats can not be moved from their original location. You my pass the sniffer, but you will fail the visual with anything but shorty headers.
Here in Cali, inorder to gain a little performance, you have to spend allot $$.

 

What about the MAC or Basanni headers? Won't those headers work?

 

They are mid lengths....and both systems have CRAPPY cats.

 

You will see very little if any improvement going for 01-02 factory manifolds to shorties... But if you are still interested I have some ported '98 manifolds and a 3" MAC Y that will be coming off of my car early next week. But I really think you would be better off getting a 3" Y with some high flow cats and stick with your factory manifolds. That is if you can't get mid-length or long tube headers.