guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Hey guys I'm thinking of getting some Hooker Supercomp long tubes to replace my SLP 1 3/4 single cat headers and 2.5" y-pipe, no cat. Do you think the HP/TQ gain would be worth the effort? I wouldn't even ask if I had the typical 1 5/8 mids.

lt1-xjs

You'll see more of a gain by switching that Y pipe.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Guppy, I think that the gain would be noticeable. I've always thought the mids and Y were choking your hotcam back. I think you'd get down into the low 12s, where it should be with the s60 and hotcam.

Purple Poncho

iTrader: (1)

Way, way back in the day, George Baxter who had one of the original high HP LT1s went from AS&M mid tubes to Hooker long tubes ( iirc). And didn't pick up much of anything. If memory serves he did better with the mid tubes. Search z28.com circa 1998 or 99 or maybe some other old timer remembers.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Oh boy, conflicting advise. Going to look at the Hooker LTs in a half hour. They're coated w/no rust off a drag car for $250. At that price I don't think I can get hurt on them.

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

Hey brother, here is what I would do if it were me:

If your SLP mids have 3" collectors...I would ditch the 2.5" Y and have a 3" Y fabbed and call it a day. Cam-only, I don't see LT's making much difference over mids if both are 3" collectors and 1-3/4" or enough of a benefit to warrant the PITA install.

If your SLP mids have 2.5" collectors...I wouldn't think twice about it and I would snag the LT's.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

My SLPs have 2.5 collectors. Thanks for advice everyone.

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

Upon second thought...IIRC you've got a sweet 883R. I say forget the headers and put the $250 towards some 1200 jugs

Sportsters > LT1's

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Yea, I know what you mean, I've put 3x the mileage on the Sporty than on my T/A this summer. I got the headers and some 18" collectors for $230, not sure exactly what I'm going to do with them yet.

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Before and after back to back races?

VoyagerCamaro

Honestly... I have TSP stainless longtubes and they're great. They sound wicked, fit nicely, are pretty sturdy and the stainless always looks awesome (even though mine are wrapped) but my car is lowered on Sprano springs and bilstein shocks, and on the street those headers ain't good for nothing but to make you curse! Kinda wish I would've went with mids now. I'll sacrifice a few HP/TQ for more streetability. However if your car is stock ride height, longtubes all day!

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

^Exactly why I went with mid-tubes on mine.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

I have had 1 5/8 mids, 1 5/8 tri-Ys and 1 3/4 long tubes and frankly think headers are wildly over benchraced. I am sure on a dyno there are differences but when you start introducing chassis fitment and full exhaust systems instead of ideal dyno conditions I think reduces the differences.

NewOrleansLT1

I've had 1 5/8 mids and now have 1 3/4 long tubes.. My butt o meter tells me I didn't gain anything on the bottom end but I probably picked up some ponies on the top end but it was hard to detect.. I probably have to Dyno it to see..

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Doing some more research after the fact, duh, it seems mid tubes give a slight kick in the *** as the the torque peak hits. Longtubes have a broader torque curve that is harder for the butt meter to detect. I'm not sure if the performance difference would be worth the close to $500 cost with Y-pipe or dumped duals though. I've been very happy with the fit and finish of my SLP mids. Hooker Supercomp LTs were on my short list before I found the SLPs and when I saw them on CL I jumped.
I know for sure anybody with a serious drag car has longtubes.

lt1-xjs

I would at least run 2 1/2" mandrel bent through an X pipe off the mids.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

The current Y is mandrel bent with a cutout after the merge. I have the stock 2.75 I pipe to a flowmaster 80 crossflow. With the ability to open the c/o at the track I haven't really been concerned about my crumby cat back.

lt1-xjs

You're missing the point. If you want a Y pipe it needs to be 3" and your collector trimmed to fit it. The X pipe set would most likely be cheaper.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

OK, I get what you're saying 2.5 mandrel duals off the mids, no y-pipe.

VoyagerCamaro

Save yourself the heartache and do the mids. Plus down low torque is always nice