Headers. To equal length or not to. That is the question.

[RJayLo]

Does it really make that much of a difference vs. price? Say for a car that isnt looking for every single hp, just best value. Long tubes are out since I already bought a X-pipe mated with 40 series catback. Any brands better than others? Oh, will they still fit if changing heads later say to AFR, Trickflow, or GT40 heads?

Thanks

 

[fastgtfairlane]

thats totally up to you. longtubes are worth a little more power over shorties. the difference powerwise between equal lengths and regular shorties is gonna be minimal. i have equal lengths on my car cause i got them used for 50 bucks. your gonna hear all kinds of crap about equal lengths being more of a pita than regulars such as sparkplug access and burnt plug wires. i can change my plugs in minutes and if you cut your own plug wires to get them as short as possible and keep them neat, you will have 0 problems with burnt plug wires. i think they look cooler than regular shorty headers but like i said power gain is minimal between the two

 

[Downshift]

To be honest and fair though, the back spark plugs on both sides are always gonna be a little tougher but with my shorties there were just a bitch. I mean sure it only took a couple extra minutes but it still sucked. Yes any of the headers long, short, equal or stock will work with the after market heads. Im kinda confused by your post, if you have the long tubes I would just stick with them. Im actually right in the middle of switching to longtubes even though I live in the nazi state lol.

 

[RJayLo]

To be honest and fair though, the back spark plugs on both sides are always gonna be a little tougher but with my shorties there were just a *****. I mean sure it only took a couple extra minutes but it still sucked. Yes any of the headers long, short, equal or stock will work with the after market heads. Im kinda confused by your post, if you have the long tubes I would just stick with them. Im actually right in the middle of switching to longtubes even though I live in the nazi state lol.

No I was just trying to cut out the "go for the LTs" posts. Im not interested in those since I had already purchased a x-pipe made for shorties/stocker and am not planning on changing that out.

Cool thanks people. Ill just go with the unequal length then mainly for price vs. gains reasons. BTW, how much power do shorty headers usually free up?

 

[CC'S95GT]

i think for racing where you need all the HP you can get then go for the equal tubes. but for the street then get non equal

 

[LAFENATU]

Cool thanks people. Ill just go with the unequal length then mainly for price vs. gains reasons. BTW, how much power do shorty headers usually free up?

Probably 8-12hp by itself. Add it with other items and the gain will be greater.

 

[Downshift]

To be honest and fair though, the back spark plugs on both sides are always gonna be a little tougher but with my shorties there were just a *****. I mean sure it only took a couple extra minutes but it still sucked. Yes any of the headers long, short, equal or stock will work with the after market heads. Im kinda confused by your post, if you have the long tubes I would just stick with them. Im actually right in the middle of switching to longtubes even though I live in the nazi state lol.

No I was just trying to cut out the "go for the LTs" posts. Im not interested in those since I had already purchased a x-pipe made for shorties/stocker and am not planning on changing that out.

Cool thanks people. Ill just go with the unequal length then mainly for price vs. gains reasons. BTW, how much power do shorty headers usually free up?

Ah, got ya now. Thought I was reading that funny. Good luck man.

 

[ScottyDsntKnow]

If you're sticking with shorties then get a nice set of FRPP stainless ceramic unequals. If you're going with longtubes MAC and BBK are both fine but won't be stainless. You can get ceramic coatings but they aren't all that great from MAC or BBK.

 

[LAFENATU]

FRPP stainless ceramic unequals.

FRPP shorties are the best shorty headers on the market - for the price. Even the non coated FRPP stainless are awesome.

JBA etc make great stuff, but they are also $500+ for a set of shorty headers.

 

[Blood on Blood]

For extra HP, clean up the interior weld to produce maximum flow. Some have completely grounded off the interior welds and had the tubes re-welded to the flange on the exterior side.