I picked up a pair of SLP shorties for the 96-97 dual cat cars. Mainly because
my exhaust system is built around the stock exhaust manifolds. I have port
matched the stock manifolds and opened up the outlets a bit. Other than the
11 pound weight savings, will there be any performance improvement?

It looks like the SLPs could use a little clean up and possibly ceramic coating.
Would it be better to wrap the SLPs since they are stainless, instead of the
ceramic coating?

I'm also looking at a set of JBA mids for the 94-95 single cat cars, but these
will require some exhaust system modifications. I may buy them just to get a
closer look. How much better will the JBA mids be than the SLP shorties? It
seems like both are a PITA for plug changes, but not worse than stock.

 

if you got them cheaply Id go ahead and use them , i like mine pretty well cept changing the bolts on the passenger side. If you take the dipstick tube and starter out tho tightening those bolts up is a cinch.

 

Anything is better than the stock manifolds, whether it be shorties, mids, or long tubes. Mids will give you a better power gain than the shorties and can still maintain the stock style y-pipe, although some fabrication is needed. Definitely the way to go if you have strict emissions to meet.

 

I noticed a big gain from my slp shorties through the stock y-pipe and cats, over the manifolds, so I would say yes, use them. I don't have mine wrapped nor coated, and the temperature gauge still reads the same as it always has at normal operating temperature.

 

Main issue here is what is your goal? Do you care about performance? Do you have emissions? I think if you live in Cali and cant pick many headers, then do the SLP's. If you arent really serious about power and 1/4 mile gains, go with the SLP's.

BUT, if you are serious about performance and dont have strict emissions then go all out and get some LT's. If you dont want them for whatever reason, the Single cat versions of AS&M/RK Sport/SLP/TPIS/MAC, etc are a much improved design over 96-97 styles. With that cam, and I'd expect more mods coming I'd go with at the minimum 1 3/4 Mids if not JetHot/Hooker/Pacesetter/TPIS/FLP longtubes. Ask Darkhorse if it was worth getting LT's over his mids. Ask Cantonracer if 96-97 are the way to go for power. Hell ask anyone except for those who own 96-97 styles and they'll tell you what to get. Do I search on this cause I know I have said it many times that 96-97 style shorties are a engineering disaster. If mustangmuncher felt a good gain from just SLP's with a stock Y and cats image what you are talking with longer primaries, a more free flowing design, and high flow Y-pipe/cat.

Good Luck.

-Dustin-

 

Thanks for all the replies to my questions. Quite a variety of info to use.
I've been on vacation for a week and was not able to get to a PC to check
the post.

I'm definately committed to keeping things as emmissions legal as possible.
It looks like a cleanup and possibly coating of the SLPs is worth while. I may
still pick up some used JBAs just to get a closer look at them.

 

I'm in a similar boat as you...damn CA emissions...I wanted to stay as emissions legal as possible. So, LT or shorties??...finally decided on the SLP shorties...explain why a little later. LT is the way to go if you want more performance, but you want to stay somewhat legal every 2 years, you're stuck with shorties.

But shorties are better than the stock manifolds. The way I look at it is cost vs. performance you get. Installing shorties is cool if you're doing the work yourself. But If you're paying a shop to install headers, then it gets pricey for the gain you do get.

So, I kinda compromised. I chose the shorties, but also installed the Random Tech y-pipe with hi-flow cats. They are stock replacements, just with hi-flow cats. Yeah, yeah, technically not legal, but I figure it's a lot easier to replace the RT y-pipe with stock if I needed to for smog, then go back in there and replace the headers. Now yes, I really do feel more power now with the new y-pipe in. Probably not as much as LT, but it's noticeable.

Just a thought for you.

 

I'm glad to hear of the noticable improvement with the shorties and Random
Tech y-pipe. I have also replaced the stock catalytics with dual Magnaflow
OBDII catalytics, which is probably similar to your setup. It would be nice
to know how much improvement is due to the shorties vs. the cats. I guess
if I install the shorties I'll know after a dyno run.

Are your SLPs ceramic coated? Any words of wisdom on the install?

 

I have the SLP shorties too.
I have to get them coated I'm seanding to this place after I clean them with my sand blaster.
http://www.amr-coatings.com/index.html
http://www.amr-coatings.com/pricing.html
125.00 Inside and out.
As long as the don't have to do any crazy cleaning to them.


Chris G.