Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stock headers or shorty???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-25-2014, 05:48 PM
  #1  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default Stock headers or shorty???

I have an L33 5.3 with an LS6 intake, ported TB and the heads have had multi-angle valves/seats cut and Pac 1211x springs.

The rest of the engine is stock but I plan a cam change in the not too distant future to something in the region of 220 to 228.

The engine does not currently have any headers so I am starting from scratch however the space around the engine is very limited.

As such I can only fit shorty style headers or stock headers.

Can anybody give an expert opinion as to what would be the better choice of the two?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Old 01-25-2014, 06:13 PM
  #2  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (22)
 
TheSilverOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Taxachusetts
Posts: 2,207
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

saying what kind of car it is would be a nice start
Old 01-26-2014, 05:53 PM
  #3  
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
MadFirehawk86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Shorties tend take on the same install height as long tubes..only thing being different is shorties do not go all the way down to a collector. If space is an issue then I would say stick to manifolds.

If you want a better stock exhaust manifold go with a set off of an 00-02 Camaro/Firebird LS1...those are supposed to be better designed for flow compared to earlier versions.

You could also try fabricating your own set of headers...or have any reputable exhaust shop fab some up.
Old 01-27-2014, 07:31 AM
  #4  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
omarrakeen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: UAE, Dubai.
Posts: 2,475
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

am not a fan of shorties. id vote stick with stock manifolds and chose a proper cam for your setup.
Old 01-27-2014, 09:13 AM
  #5  
Super Hulk Smash
iTrader: (7)
 
JakeFusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 11,255
Received 137 Likes on 114 Posts

Default

A set of the LS7 manifolds would be an upgrade over F-Body manifolds, but still somewhat down on power vs a pair of shortys.

What car?
Old 01-27-2014, 09:26 AM
  #6  
11 Second Club
 
z28SSilvest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Middletown, DE
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Longtubes and don't look back.
Old 01-27-2014, 11:44 AM
  #7  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Thanks all for the replies.

So you can get an idea of the problem I face I am building a Caterham 7 style kit car using this engine.

As such space is extremely limited around the engine bay and the usual method for the manifolds is to exit straight through the side panel.

The simplest way is to use a manifold/header which has a single pipe connection still within the engine bay and then pass that single pipe out through the side panel.

There probably just isn't the room for all 4 tubes to be within the engine bay hence why shortys or stock headers will make the install a lot easier.

I'm not in a position to need more power/torque than the cam change I propose since the car will only weigh about 1600 pounds with me on board and a full tank of fuel.
Old 01-27-2014, 11:45 AM
  #8  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Like this.............

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...eld_Seight.jpg
Old 01-29-2014, 12:50 PM
  #9  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Any other comments???
Old 01-29-2014, 12:58 PM
  #10  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (57)
 
ragtopz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ft. Myers, FL
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by TableLeg
Any other comments???
I got one....a cammed 5.3 in that matchbox is gonna fly regardless of manifold choice.
Old 01-29-2014, 01:33 PM
  #11  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by ragtopz28
I got one....a cammed 5.3 in that matchbox is gonna fly regardless of manifold choice.
That's the plan
Old 01-29-2014, 05:30 PM
  #12  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (37)
 
JRENIGAR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: 72396
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

That's F-ing awesome man.
Old 01-29-2014, 07:04 PM
  #13  
On The Tree
iTrader: (9)
 
Fullen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Hampton, VA
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

That thing will fly. From a money standpoint, stock manifolds...but it'd be a shame not to put something shiny in there.
Old 01-30-2014, 01:54 PM
  #14  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Fullen
That thing will fly. From a money standpoint, stock manifolds...but it'd be a shame not to put something shiny in there.
Thanks guys.

Any idea what the weight differences are between stock cast and a set of Stainless shorty headers?

As far as I can tell, buying a set of Shortys wont cost a lot different to a pair of Stock headers.

Last edited by TableLeg; 01-30-2014 at 03:38 PM.
Old 02-03-2014, 10:41 PM
  #15  
Launching!
 
StealthWeaponLS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Dont they make a block hugger type of shorty headers for the LS1?
Old 02-04-2014, 01:02 AM
  #16  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by StealthWeaponLS1
Dont they make a block hugger type of shorty headers for the LS1?
They do yes, and that's exactly the type of header I want to use.

Old 02-04-2014, 02:05 PM
  #17  
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
MadFirehawk86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by TableLeg
They do yes, and that's exactly the type of header I want to use.

Glad we could provide some insight...
Old 02-05-2014, 10:10 AM
  #18  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
R6cowboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 835
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by JakeFusion™
A set of the LS7 manifolds would be an upgrade over F-Body manifolds, but still somewhat down on power vs a pair of shortys.

What car?
JakeFusion took the words out of my mouth, LS7 manifolds over any other stock LS manifold. But I'd definitely go with the shorty headers over LS7 manifolds for better looks, more power and less weight. Shorties will be a win all around for your Caterham 7 kit car.
Old 02-05-2014, 11:03 AM
  #19  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
TableLeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 329
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by R6cowboy
JakeFusion took the words out of my mouth, LS7 manifolds over any other stock LS manifold. But I'd definitely go with the shorty headers over LS7 manifolds for better looks, more power and less weight. Shorties will be a win all around for your Caterham 7 kit car.
Thanks for the reply

I definitely think Shorty headers are the best option.

Thanks again to all.

Old 02-06-2014, 09:36 AM
  #20  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Blackpanther99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Baytown, TX
Posts: 6,963
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default

Might as well get shorty headers. More power than stock manifolds.


Quick Reply: Stock headers or shorty???



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:22 PM.