lt's vs. mid's on a daily driver, what do you think?
06-01-2007, 06:33 PM
#1
lt's vs. mid's on a daily driver, what do you think? I just can't decide which one to go with. I dont want a rattlefest with the lts, but the power would be nice. Would I have the change the rest of the exhaust if i went to mids + a y pipe?
06-01-2007, 09:21 PM
#5
mac mids are great,prolly the best NON long tube design.
however the longtube selection is real nice too.
the way i would look at a header purchase is this:
racing alot? LONGTUBES
planned hp in the future? LONGTUBES
lowered suspension? SHORTIES/MIDS
visual inspection problems? SHORTIES/MIDS
however the longtube selection is real nice too.
the way i would look at a header purchase is this:
racing alot? LONGTUBES
planned hp in the future? LONGTUBES
lowered suspension? SHORTIES/MIDS
visual inspection problems? SHORTIES/MIDS
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06-01-2007, 10:24 PM
#8
From David Vizard:
To predict what primary size will be best for a specific motor, you must know where you want the engine to develop peak torque. If the existing torque peak is at bit lower RPM than you prefer (typical in under-cammed or stock motors), it can be "bumped" a bit by increasing the primary diameter. If the torque peak is too high (motor is "peaky", with no range and poor recovery from gear changes), the peak can be adjusted down by using a smaller pipe. A change of 1/8" in the primary diameter will raise or lower the peak torque RPM by 500 or so.
This factor slightly overlaps the effect of primary pipe length, but the pipe length generally will not change the peak torque or the RPM at which it occurs. A length change has the effect of improving the torque on only 1 side of the peak by "borrowing" it from the other side. A shorter pipe improves the torque after the peak (reduces it at lower RPM), preventing the curve from flattening out so quickly as speed increases. A longer pipe extends the torque curve backwards to improve the engine's flexibility, at the expense of after-peak torque.
This factor slightly overlaps the effect of primary pipe length, but the pipe length generally will not change the peak torque or the RPM at which it occurs. A length change has the effect of improving the torque on only 1 side of the peak by "borrowing" it from the other side. A shorter pipe improves the torque after the peak (reduces it at lower RPM), preventing the curve from flattening out so quickly as speed increases. A longer pipe extends the torque curve backwards to improve the engine's flexibility, at the expense of after-peak torque.
06-02-2007, 08:27 AM
#11
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Like the above poster said, go long or go home. There is no comparison. I've ridden in a stock car with mids and a stock car with LTs, and the LTs car is alot faster. They flow better and sound better. The mids are a little easier to install and have a tad better ground clearance though.
Most LTs come with a Ypipe that works with the rest of your exhaust.
Most LTs come with a Ypipe that works with the rest of your exhaust.
06-02-2007, 08:42 AM
#12
Most mids/longtubes will have the y-pipe to install in plce of your factory one. I have L/T's on my daily driver, and wouldnt get rid of em. I love the sound, and the extra power was nice. If you plan on lowering your car, get mids. I had my car slammed, then ins talled longtubes, and well, I reaised it back up within 2 weeks of the L/T install. Pacesetter L/T's have great ground clearance. My y-pipe is the lowest part of my exhaust system, and even it doesnt sit all that low.
06-02-2007, 09:22 AM
#13
You guys are too hard on the mid-tube headers, they have their place.
Its like this.
Is ground clearance important? If yes get mids. LT's you will lose nearly 2.5" of ground clearance.
Do you want the ability to switch from cat to open pipe in minutes. If yes get mids.
Is the engine going to stay stock (no H/C). If yes then get mids.
Do you want more low end streetable torque? If yes get mids.
Is it going to **** you off banging pipes on bumps. If yes get mids.
Are emissions important> If yes get mids or be ready to do some heavy fabbing on LT's.
It has been seen time and time again that Mac mids are great for a stock motor, they are easy to put on and plug access is the best. If you are planning to modify the motor then long tubes are the best especially if you port heads and get a bigger cam.
I have RK-sport mid tubes, they are near identical to AS&M headers which have an outstanding rep for being the next best thing to LT's. They have 1 3/4 primaries just like the LT's too.
I like my mids cause I have no lost ground clearance and will never bang pipes, I can switch out my cat in minutes, they perform very well with my mods and provide more low end torque for a streetable car. They also sound incredible, as good if not better than other cars with LT's that I have heard.
I will agree that overall for most people the LT's are the best, but all options should be considered except shortie headers, they suck.
Its like this.
Is ground clearance important? If yes get mids. LT's you will lose nearly 2.5" of ground clearance.
Do you want the ability to switch from cat to open pipe in minutes. If yes get mids.
Is the engine going to stay stock (no H/C). If yes then get mids.
Do you want more low end streetable torque? If yes get mids.
Is it going to **** you off banging pipes on bumps. If yes get mids.
Are emissions important> If yes get mids or be ready to do some heavy fabbing on LT's.
It has been seen time and time again that Mac mids are great for a stock motor, they are easy to put on and plug access is the best. If you are planning to modify the motor then long tubes are the best especially if you port heads and get a bigger cam.
I have RK-sport mid tubes, they are near identical to AS&M headers which have an outstanding rep for being the next best thing to LT's. They have 1 3/4 primaries just like the LT's too.
I like my mids cause I have no lost ground clearance and will never bang pipes, I can switch out my cat in minutes, they perform very well with my mods and provide more low end torque for a streetable car. They also sound incredible, as good if not better than other cars with LT's that I have heard.
I will agree that overall for most people the LT's are the best, but all options should be considered except shortie headers, they suck.
Last edited by wrd1972; 06-02-2007 at 05:09 PM.
06-02-2007, 01:53 PM
#14
Originally Posted by wrd1972
You guys are too hard on the mid-tube headers, they have their place.
Its like this.
Is ground clearance important? If yes get mids. LT's you will lose nearly 2.5" of ground clearance.
Do you want the ability to switch from cat to open pipe in minutes. If yes get mids.
Is the engine going to stay stock (no H/C). If yes then get mids.
Do you want more low end streetable torque? If yes get mids.
Is it going to **** you off banging pipes on bumps. If yes get mids.
Are emissions important> If yes get mids or be ready to do some heavy fabbing on LT's.
It has been seen time and time again that Mac mids are great for a stock motor, they are easy to put on and plug access is the best. If you are planning to modify the motor then long tubes are the best especially if you port heads and get a bigger cam.
I have RK-sport mid tubes, they are near identical to AS&M headers which have an outstanding rep for being the next best thing to LT's. They have 1 3/4 primaries just like the LT's too.
I like my mids cause I have no lost ground clearance and will never bang pipes, I can switch out my cat in minutes, they perform very well with my mods and provide more low end torque for a streetable car. They also sound incredible, as good if not better than other cars with LT's that I have heard. With
I will agree that overall for most people the LT's are the best, but all options should be considered except shortie headers, they suck.
Its like this.
Is ground clearance important? If yes get mids. LT's you will lose nearly 2.5" of ground clearance.
Do you want the ability to switch from cat to open pipe in minutes. If yes get mids.
Is the engine going to stay stock (no H/C). If yes then get mids.
Do you want more low end streetable torque? If yes get mids.
Is it going to **** you off banging pipes on bumps. If yes get mids.
Are emissions important> If yes get mids or be ready to do some heavy fabbing on LT's.
It has been seen time and time again that Mac mids are great for a stock motor, they are easy to put on and plug access is the best. If you are planning to modify the motor then long tubes are the best especially if you port heads and get a bigger cam.
I have RK-sport mid tubes, they are near identical to AS&M headers which have an outstanding rep for being the next best thing to LT's. They have 1 3/4 primaries just like the LT's too.
I like my mids cause I have no lost ground clearance and will never bang pipes, I can switch out my cat in minutes, they perform very well with my mods and provide more low end torque for a streetable car. They also sound incredible, as good if not better than other cars with LT's that I have heard. With
I will agree that overall for most people the LT's are the best, but all options should be considered except shortie headers, they suck.
06-02-2007, 02:31 PM
#15
I run midlength headers because they were available with hookup pipes to a stock style catback(LT1 b-bodies got duals) works just fine even the 1 5/8" primaries are just fine.
Go back up and read the Vizard quote, that man knows his smallblock Chevys.
Go back up and read the Vizard quote, that man knows his smallblock Chevys.
06-02-2007, 05:08 PM
#19
Originally Posted by Ironxcross
so i can just bolt the mac mids right up to the rest of my exhaust?
i dont want to lose that stock muffler for cruising
i dont want to lose that stock muffler for cruising
I still think the RK sports and AS&M's are better headers since they will work better down the road if you modify the motor, but they are a SOB to install and plug access is horrible.
