Bling? 
shorty headers worth it??
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From: Canada
shorty headers worth it?? k heres my problem.. rite now im running a cat bypass system and have to keep this set up so i can swap cats back in for emissions.. but my question is if i get shorty headers that will bolt up to the stop Y pipe and cats would there be any gain at all? im also ordering a offroad y pipe to replace this crushed one.. then use it for emissions.. i just don't wana go thro the trouble of having to buy a new Y pipe along with new cats... then have to buy another cat bypass.. i think one of the sponsers had some shortys that botled to stock Y pipe.. but cant remember who.. thanx for n e help
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From: Fairfield, CA
All shorties will bolt up to the stock y pipe. They are designed that way so they are smog legal in California because they leave the stock cats in the same location. I put my BBK shorties on and noticed a gain. It is not as much of a gain as you'll gain with LTs, but a gain nonetheless. Everyone that says shorties are a piece of crap just isn't very opened minded in my opinion. The gains won't be as great on an 01-02 f body, but BBKs 1 3/4 shorties definitely flow better than GM's cast iron manifolds.
Nick
Nick
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From: Fat Chance Hotel
Originally Posted by 2ndGenWs6Owner
All shorties will bolt up to the stock y pipe. They are designed that way so they are smog legal in California because they leave the stock cats in the same location. I put my BBK shorties on and noticed a gain. It is not as much of a gain as you'll gain with LTs, but a gain nonetheless. Everyone that says shorties are a piece of crap just isn't very opened minded in my opinion. The gains won't be as great on an 01-02 f body, but BBKs 1 3/4 shorties definitely flow better than GM's cast iron manifolds.
Nick
Nick
No flame here, honestly curious.
On The Tree
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From: NJ
I copied this from jrp: If you have an 00-02 car do not bother with shorties. They received a better-designed manifold and flow quite well actually for what they are. You will see minimal gain if any by switching to shorties. If you have a 98-99 car you'll gain some rwhp from shorties but it wont be much either.
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
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HorsePower Television in the USA gained 2-3 RWHP with Edelbrock shorties on a 98 SS two weeks ago. So you might not notice any change on your '01. I'm assuming that you can't go with LTs in Canada???
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Id say, that if you have to ask -" Is it worth it" - Its really probly not. Especially since you've got an 01. on my 98 I thought about shorties for smog reasons, but I figure if I have problems smogging with cats and a non stock header - then I'll switch back to the stock manifolds and cats - Its not that hard, and if ur wanting to change the manifolds to see a gain - they you would probly want to spend your money on something else. Unless you've got the money, and could get a before and after dyno sheet to show people that its worth it with no cats =) - Id think if I were to chose shorties Id have spent my money on a new MAf or a dyno tune. You'll probly see about the same power increase and you wont have to remove it for smog =)
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I think you will notice IF you have a cam, and you want to stay 100% smog legal. And I know a lot of people say that long tubes are (flame-suit on) smog legal, but they aren't always. The way it has been explained to me for this state is that "you cannot change the number or location of your catalytic converters, and you cannot replace them unless they are worn out/defective".
Last edited by Another_User; Jul 12, 2004 at 10:02 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Canada
geez finaly got logged on.. n e ways.. thanx for all the replys.. i'm gona stick with manifolds for now.. i don't really wana spend the money on LTs yet.. and yes the emissions out here are a pain in the ***.. so everything has to be smog legal.. or i would done LT's and no cats already.. i agree with the MAF instead of shortys... thanx again guys!
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From: Fairfield, CA
Originally Posted by technical
Was the gain measured/dyno or was it perceived in the seat of the pants?
No flame here, honestly curious.
No flame here, honestly curious.
Originally Posted by ddelallata
HorsePower Television in the USA gained 2-3 RWHP with Edelbrock shorties on a 98 SS two weeks ago. So you might not notice any change on your '01. I'm assuming that you can't go with LTs in Canada???
Maybe we saw a different horsepower tv, but the one I saw gained 14rwhp from the addition of shorty headers....... a lot more than I expected, but still what they stated as the gains.
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Originally Posted by Mooobunnny
Maybe we saw a different horsepower tv, but the one I saw gained 14rwhp from the addition of shorty headers....... a lot more than I expected, but still what they stated as the gains.
:ducking for cover: