Best shorty headers now a days?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 225
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
The only smog legal shorties are the SLP's. However, they will not make very much HP compared to Mac's or Long tubes. Unfortunately if you have to have them smog legal, it's really your only choice.
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 100
From: Austin, TX, USA
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
So the only modern positive I've seen are the MAC midlengths....
Anyone have any weblinks? Sorry trying to help a friend and I've now owned an LT1 car in a LONG time
Anyone have any weblinks? Sorry trying to help a friend and I've now owned an LT1 car in a LONG time
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 75
From: Irvine, CA
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
MACs are not smog-legal.
If you want a 50-state legal header for a dual-cat car, your only choices are SLP, Edelbrock, Hooker, or Hedman. The SLPs have 1-3/4" primaries, the rest are 1-5/8". The SLPs seem to work best, but there are lots of non-smog headers that will work even better.
If you want a 50-state legal header for a dual-cat car, your only choices are SLP, Edelbrock, Hooker, or Hedman. The SLPs have 1-3/4" primaries, the rest are 1-5/8". The SLPs seem to work best, but there are lots of non-smog headers that will work even better.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,903
From: Littlestown, PA
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
I have LPE stainless 1 3/4" shorties on my 95...100% emissions legal with all fittings and make gobs of power. Its teamed up with a Random Tech Y pipe and cat (which I know is different for 96-97 cars) Have no idea what they cost now, but I know they were expensive 10 years ago. Plug changes are not too terrible, either. I'm running high 11s and passed emissions when the car was in MD.
--Alan
--Alan
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,903
From: Littlestown, PA
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
Bubba,
I can't speak for the dual cat cars, but the Random Y pipe keeps the cat in the stock location. The car passed the MD sniffer test every 2 years since 1995 along with the visual check...In fact it passed with better readings than my Pathfinder..It just passed PA's visual check which includes scrutiny of every emissions hook up and converter placement..
--Alan
I can't speak for the dual cat cars, but the Random Y pipe keeps the cat in the stock location. The car passed the MD sniffer test every 2 years since 1995 along with the visual check...In fact it passed with better readings than my Pathfinder..It just passed PA's visual check which includes scrutiny of every emissions hook up and converter placement..
--Alan
Registered User
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 225
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
For a header to be emissions legal, it must come with a CARB/EOD sticker for you to put under the hood. The SLP's offer this but I do not believe Hooker or Hedman does. Not sure about Edelbrock.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,499
From: PORTLAND, OR, MULTNOMAH
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
Yah. I was just referring to the dual-cats. There are probaby ( I know of one) a few custom mid-lengths out there that will do a very nice job but require a Random Y. I believe the main reason some don't get a sticker is probably they haven't applied for one.
So bottom line is we probably would have a much nicer selection if someone would go for it...JMHO
So bottom line is we probably would have a much nicer selection if someone would go for it...JMHO
Registered User
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 225
Re: Best shorty headers now a days?
If a header relocates the factory catalytic converter, it is technically not emissions legal. As such, any long tubes would not be emissions legal in states that require CARB/EOD numbers. To be emissions legal, the headers must work with the factory Y pipe and the manufacturer would have had to pay for CARB/EOD testing.