Longtubes compared to Shorties
Longtubes compared to Shorties I did a search on this to see what i could come up with but i really couldnt find a whole lot. I was just wondering what your guys experiences were switching from shorties to longtubes. (HP Wise) I guess i'm just trying to figure out if it worth it or not. The car is a 96ss thats my wifes. Car has a forged rotating assembly, ported and polished intake and heads. Lt4 hotcam kit from SDPC. 52mm throttle body. Amost full bolt ons with 4:10 gears. The exhaust is a Loudmouth 1. All opinions are greatly appreciated, even the bads ones.......cuz opinions are like @ssh@les, everybody has one.
i saw an episode of horsepower tv once where they dynoed an engine with shorties, then with LT's. the only difference was the torque. the LT's put out more torque at lower rpm's than the shorties.
You have a heads and cam car with shortie headers? DUDE, upgrade to longtubes, im guessing at least an extra 20 to the wheels.
Now you sound like me with the whole horsepower tv ....i sometimes watch it just to see what they mess up on. lol. But on a serious note, i think i'll try a set of longtubes and see how it does.
yes deffinitely need to try a set of longtubes. do research and you can even figure out how to get tuned length headers if you learn all the formula's you can find out how long the primary tubes need to be.
also about the Horsepower TV thing they are just parts installers they do no research on building cars they just install whatever parts sponsors give them. my favorite project was the fox body they did. They spent around $5000 in parts for (shorties w/ full exhaust, UD pullies, CAI, accel coil, Trick Flow Intake manifold Heads and cam, and more that i cant remember) all that to make 275 RWHP
that is the exact same as what my car made with a CAI only and heavy 18's. i thouroughly enjoyed that show!
also about the Horsepower TV thing they are just parts installers they do no research on building cars they just install whatever parts sponsors give them. my favorite project was the fox body they did. They spent around $5000 in parts for (shorties w/ full exhaust, UD pullies, CAI, accel coil, Trick Flow Intake manifold Heads and cam, and more that i cant remember) all that to make 275 RWHP
that is the exact same as what my car made with a CAI only and heavy 18's. i thouroughly enjoyed that show! Trending Topics
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LT's own.
IMO, shorties are just a "warm over" the stock manifold and look better. If you're thinking of swapping a set of headers, do it once and get long tubes. Have been proven again and again!
Launching!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: So-Cal
damn california smog laws. cant legally run LT's. but i have the hooker shorties on mine and the car seems to pull alot harder than stock. also get header wraps or plug wire protectors. i burned like 4 out of 8 wires when i put on my headers.
I have shorties and they blow. They were on the car when I bought it though. I'm swapping them out for LT's and true duals here in about a couple weeks, if everything goes according to plan.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 11
From: centerville, ohio
dyno the car now, throw on the longtubes and dyno it again. I don't think there is alot of difference. I made my shorties which netted 17 rwhp and 17 lb. ft. of tq. to the wheels with a Dr. Gass x pipe. I switched from ramshorn center dump 2 1/2" manifolds with the h pipe.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
From: long island new york
my long tubes are currently one of my only big mods. i had a hard time getting the steering knuckle not to rub, and my y pipe fits like ****.
that being said theyre still the most amazing things ever. i highly suggest them. especially on a H/c car
that being said theyre still the most amazing things ever. i highly suggest them. especially on a H/c car
dyno the car now, throw on the longtubes and dyno it again. I don't think there is alot of difference. I made my shorties which netted 17 rwhp and 17 lb. ft. of tq. to the wheels with a Dr. Gass x pipe. I switched from ramshorn center dump 2 1/2" manifolds with the h pipe.
Once you start getting into heads/cam like the OP, longtubes are pretty much required or you are leaving power on the table.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 11
From: centerville, ohio
Engine mods? It's just a 3900 lb. bolt-on car that has run 12.86 @104 mph. My headers are quite different than the aftermarket ones, there's just no room for long tubes on my car, I tried & I tried.