Gain from longtubes
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: deptford,new jersey
Gain from longtubes What are some typical et and mph gains from longtubes over stock exhaust manifolds. Lets hear some real experiences. My car runs strong and i know headers are basically the next step but sometimes i wonder if they are worth the cost 700-1000$ with the y-pipe. Thanx.
dude i just did my LT pace header install dude trust me it worth it my car is like a beast now dude smoother trottle response the car feel like ah different car. think of it like this the stock headers are like putting a bag over your head and telling you to breath the LT are like taking the bag off it worth it and you can get a set ot pace coated and y pipe for like 600 deliveried to your door give or take a few bucks. oh and install is ok on a scale from 1 - 10 I'll give it like a 6
Stock my car made 321/331 and ran 12.9s@108-109. I added longtubes, ory, and a hooker catback, and it made 336/347.
Before my gear swap with full exhaust, lid, self-ported tb, and tune. It made 354/373 and ran 12.5s@112. In the end with the above and 4.10s it went 12.3s@113.
Just adding the full exhaust didnt add a whole lot, (only about 15rwhp/16rwtq), it was the tune and everything working together that made the numbers and ran the times.
Before my gear swap with full exhaust, lid, self-ported tb, and tune. It made 354/373 and ran 12.5s@112. In the end with the above and 4.10s it went 12.3s@113.
Just adding the full exhaust didnt add a whole lot, (only about 15rwhp/16rwtq), it was the tune and everything working together that made the numbers and ran the times.
Originally Posted by BriancWS6
Stock my car made 321/331 and ran 12.9s@108-109. I added longtubes, ory, and a hooker catback, and it made 336/347.
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Originally Posted by BayAreaSS
When i installed my LT's/Duals i felt a big sotp difference. I'm surprised you guys only gained 10-15hp.
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Originally Posted by BayAreaSS
When i installed my LT's/Duals i felt a big sotp difference. I'm surprised you guys only gained 10-15hp.
I thought full exhaust would gain at least 20hp
I thought full exhaust would gain at least 20hp
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Headers are definately worth the money to answer your original question. If you plan on modding the engine you must have a free flowing exhuast. With out it, anything larger than a cheater cam is out the window. So yes, spend the money and you will be pleased.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Taxme, Ohio
Hot Rod magazine did a comparison on an LS1 before and after headers. They used the very good Kooks tubes in the test. The gain was initially only about 11 hp so they decided to add a tune. Now their test car was making just shy of 21 hp more. To fortify the worthiness of adding the headers they took the car back to the track and were amazed to have reduced quarter mile times by nearly .4 of a second.
Now the thing that I can't help to consider is how much would have been gained just with a tune; a good tune that can move the power curve to produce better traction at the best moments. Because it came after the header installation and there was no time slips for just the headers there is no way to know exactly what the headers actually benefit. Like the posts above, the responses are visceral and combined with other modifications. Keep in mind that those LS1 manifolds are notoriously efficient breathers and it is hard to beat them for durability.
Since I live in a land where emission testing is mandatory and long tubes will void my ability to get licensed I have to limit my mods to the exhaust after the catalyst. BTW, shorties on an LS1 are just not worth it to me and like the article stated, some feel the LS1 manifolds actually produce more power than many short tubes that are available.
Here's why the near stock LS1 makes such great power with a factory manifold.
Now the thing that I can't help to consider is how much would have been gained just with a tune; a good tune that can move the power curve to produce better traction at the best moments. Because it came after the header installation and there was no time slips for just the headers there is no way to know exactly what the headers actually benefit. Like the posts above, the responses are visceral and combined with other modifications. Keep in mind that those LS1 manifolds are notoriously efficient breathers and it is hard to beat them for durability.
Since I live in a land where emission testing is mandatory and long tubes will void my ability to get licensed I have to limit my mods to the exhaust after the catalyst. BTW, shorties on an LS1 are just not worth it to me and like the article stated, some feel the LS1 manifolds actually produce more power than many short tubes that are available.
Here's why the near stock LS1 makes such great power with a factory manifold.
Originally Posted by chrs1313
yeah full exhaust...where did the original poster say anything about full exhaust...he said how much would he gain from changing out manifolds...the most you are going to gain there is maybe 15 hp...my 11.72 was on manifolds with stock converters...but my cutout bypassing the stock muffler gained me 20rwhp or 2 mph...did back to back runs to prove it...110mph with it closed and 112 with it open...so if it is a full exhaust 30-35 hp...the restriction is not the manifolds it is the stock catback...
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: deptford,new jersey
Hey thanx guys, some great replies. I know that when you mod further with cams and then heads that the gain with headers is greater. Chris i like the idea that you ran 11.72 without them as that was originally my game plan, i think that would be neat looking under the hood on a 11 sec. car and not seeing headers. I know that if i go cam and some minor bolt ons that i would be leaving some power on the table without them. My car has really responded well to very minor mods and tuning and i dont have any major money spent on the car other than the vig.3200. Also the cut-out did wake up the car since i do still have the original exhaust on.
You guys are getting these numbers off of running a single pipe exhaust and not true duals like my vette right?? Well I know for a fact that header only vettes get AT LEAST 20 RWHP WITHOUT A TUNE!!, I have seen 35 rwhp with a tune
that is exactly what i have...cutout on stock exhaust in the I pipe...like the graph shows above he gained 18 rwhp from headers with a tune and a ported tb with at the least will give 5rwhp...bo has showed some on a stock car making 8wrhp so the headers gained what 13 rwhp with a tune, maybe less...money would be better spent on a $300 LS6 intake over headers...
nice times by the way, what is the break down of your car, weight DA conditions, mods, etc
nice times by the way, what is the break down of your car, weight DA conditions, mods, etc
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 319
Likes: 2
From: deptford,new jersey
Thanx Chrs, the time in my sig was on a frigid nov. day where the DA had to be in the negative a ton since everyone was running 2-3 tenths faster and 2-3 mph more also. My car before converter ran consistent 12.80s to 12.90s in the normal spring, summer weather. Now with 3200 vig it runs 12.40s to 12.50s when the track is good. ( atco is usually prepped pretty good ) although the nittos are hit or miss. I tried a friends mt drag radials and they were awesome no problem hooking on them. Anyway car has very few mods and runs strong. Lid filter cut-out and a tune and now the converter which really woke it up. Sixty fts.are in the 1.73 to 1.77 area, would like to see high 1.6s if i can flash it and come out hard but don't know how the 10 bolt would like that if i launched that way all the time. Also my normal mph this time of year is 108-109 which is more realistic. I would like to sneak into the very high 11s going the cam only route but dont think that would'nt be enough without other mods such as headers or the ls6 intake ( which sounds like a better bang for the buck like you said ).
