I was just wondering before i was to get headers.Shorties are alot cheaper then Long Tubes and i've heard the Long Tubes are the way to go.But then I see alot of people with shorties??

 

People that have to deal with emmisions typically go with shorties or mid-lengths. Moving the location of the cats is against emissions in some places so the only hassle free option is shorties. Others, its just personal preference and they dont have any big future plans for the car or motor.

The reason people go with LTs (myself included) is because when we start making more power, we dont have to switch to LTs after spending time and money on shorties. LTs are going to help move more exhaust in head/cammed cars because of a better flowing, more efficient exhaust. Shorties eventually become somewhat of a restriction down the road when you need to move a large amount of exhaust quickly.

If you dont have to worry about emmisions or anything else, go long tube.

 

You also have ground clearence issues with LTs especially if you lower the car.

BTW....the lt1s do real well with shorties....not a huge difference going to LTs like the ls1.

 

shorties are a restriction pretty much right from the start.

I actually went shorties 1st because i heard they were easier to put in.... but both are the same in my opinion. Having to jack up the motor a little bit is no big deal at all.

On a cammed LT1 i picked up 2mph over my slp shorties.

if emissions isnt an issue.. get long tubes...

As you add more mods the horsepower gap between shorties and long tubes widen.
You'll need a y pipe with the long tubes too.. 125-250 bucks depending

 

Shorty headers will provide more of an increase in low rpm torque, while LTs will provide a better increase in high rpm horse power. Has to do with the scavenging effects of each type of header.

I will be going with SLP shortys when I finally get headers. I think they'll make a great addition to the Random Tech Y pipe & cats. Plus, I'm doing the exhaust in stages this way: Y pipe 1st, shorty headers next, then a cutout (DMH maybe?) keeping the stock catback.

Most of my driving is around town though, as this is a daily driver. If I were going for more of a drag car setup, I would have to recommend the LTs to open the high end up.

Thomas.