I've heard both sides the common concenses is that long tubes produce more low end torque and high end hp then midlengths and this is generally because our engines don't rev high enough. But i've also heard that midlengths have a huge advantage in the high end as opposed to long tubes and that it has been tested to be true.

So what's true which one is really better? Has anyone had experience with both?

 

Long tubes hands down! If clearance is an issue, check out TPiS...i just installed mine and it sits even with my oil pan so I don't have any concerns at all with bottoming out...

 

i dont buy the myth of LT's producing more lowend tq. heres why..
a friend of mine with a '94 M6 cai, catback, without headers made maximum tq at 2600rpm
now on my car with Hooker LT's cai and catback made maximum tq at 4200rpm
both cars are stock cam and stock valvetrain, both cars were done on the same dyno

 

I"ve heard some magazine did a test a test on it and midlengths came out substancially better. I think someone quoted 20hp on the top end on a stock or bolt on motor.

 

If you already hold your bias against long tubes, then go ahead and pick up a set of MAC mid-lengths...they're not going to make the same numbers as long tubes but hey...if a magazine claims that they do....

 

All those parts you've got "sitting next to you", I've already done. My car happens to run 12.0 with mid lengths. So, what do you base your "hand down" theory on?

Frank

 

It's not really a myth. LT's produce about 5 extra ft. pounds of torque, but mid lengths produce 23 more hp at 6000 RPM. The tests are all done with the same engine.

Frank

 

Apparently not based on your #'s, but overall you'll see more gains with long tubes than you will with mid-lengths...

 

12.0!...In crappy weather, no less. Care to rethink that statement?

Frank

 

Someone a bit boastful? I prefer long tubes and all I can offer is my opinion on mine so far...and I wouldn't have gotten anything else! Unless you run your car at the track weekly and are stuck on times, then I'm sure you'd be happy with more upper rpm HP. For the majority of us who do not live at the track and appreciate more power across the board, we'll stick with our long tubes...

Your comments have been appreciated though...

 

Look folks alot of what we read on here is based on theory and opinion.
According to alot of people my car shouldn't even run. My list of "junk" parts include:

Holley 58 MM throttle body
Accel 30# injectors
Aeromotive AFPR
Small (CC305) cam
MAC headers (with all emissions still hooked up)
Flowmaster muffler

These are parts I see people bashing all the time. I've had waaaay too many people tell me my car wouldn't run right with the 4.10 gears. Everyone's told me to take weight out. Everyone's told me to modify the suspension.

Funny thing is, alot of these people are running SLOWER than I am.

I chose MAC headers because they still allow me to use my A.I.R., EGR and catyletic converter. My car will still pass emissions. It costs alot of money to achieve that with LT's. I don't think the mid lengths are hurting my cars performance at all.

What I post on here, I try to base on fact...Not opinion. The fact is, dyno tests prove mid length headers make more top end HP. You can't argue against fact.

Frank

 

As far as me lacking low end torque because of the mid lengths?... I pull 1.67 60 ft. times with a stock suspension, and street tires.

Frank

 

i digress, it seems that they moved my tq peak farther up in the powerband! of course tho this was comparing them to a stock manifold car
anyone have numbers on the AS&M or SLP 1 3/4" mids to compare since all LT's for our cars are 1 3/4" diameter, tq #'s and where they fell in the powerband?

 

Can't argue with that...I'm sure that everything you've said has been true...

I'm saying that the LT's pull better numbers on average across the board than mid-lengths do...am I wrong?

Second fact was that the majority of people on this board would probably appreciate a larger gain everywhere, not just in higher rpm's...let me know if I have stated any false information...

You have gained a lot from 6000+ rpm's...I personally have never been to the track so gains over 6000 rpm's isn't as necessary for me...more low end gain is prime for my set up as it sits...

People have been attacking your mods? I personally could care less either way...you like mids and the majority of us like lt's...lets leave it at that...

 

If this is true, 23 more hp at 6k seems worth it over a little loss at the low end and much more headach to install. Not trying to be biased but it seems that way to me. Does anybody have any dyno numbers?