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JBA vs BBK shorts

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Old 07-07-2008, 03:14 PM
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SirKnightTG
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Default JBA vs BBK shorts

Curious...what is the difference between JBA and BBK tuned shorty headers? From what I can tell, the JBA is more expensive and they are bent differently. JBAs are bent more smoothly whereas the BBKs are not. Does that make a difference?

JBA
BBK
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Old 07-07-2008, 03:30 PM
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Mikes_BLK_GT
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

I believe JBA uses a thicker guage steel in thier headers as well as them being 50 state smog legal whereas the BBK's are not.
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Old 07-07-2008, 11:24 PM
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Kotobuki
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

The JBAs also seem to produce more power, based on the research I've been able to do. On similarly modded motors the BBKs were good for about 5 HP and a max of 10lb of torque. The LBAs were good for 20+ of each.





Other than that, ic an't speak to the quality of either fo them.
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:59 AM
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kcmarti
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

The JBAs are tuned headers with equal length primaries. The BBK headers just have primaries that flow better than the stock manifold, but are not "tuned".
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Old 07-08-2008, 09:20 AM
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SirKnightTG
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

ORIGINAL: kcmarti

The JBAs are tuned headers with equal length primaries. The BBK headers just have primaries that flow better than the stock manifold, but are not "tuned".

Everything I read says they're tuned. Tuned meaning each tube is of equal length.
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Old 07-08-2008, 09:24 AM
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SirKnightTG
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

Well since the JBAs use thicker steel and show to produce more HP/TQ, looks like those are the way to go.
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:13 PM
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brian2906
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

I just had the JBA shorties installed last week, and I really like them. I'll be making a dyno run as soon as the dyno is repaired, (next week I hope) and I'll post the results. I picked them because they are tuned equal length (or very close to it) the BBK's were not equal length tubes (at least the ones I looked at) plus the dyno charts I saw showed the JBA's made more power especially on the low and midrange. There is a similar thread running in the drivetrain/performance section you might check out. I hope this helps!
[align=left] [/align]
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:21 PM
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SirKnightTG
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

Cool thanks! I'll be interested in your dyno results.
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Old 07-09-2008, 04:08 AM
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mygt500
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

I have read many good reviews on both types. I like the BBK's and you can get them equal length or "tuned" as stated before. Make sure you get them ceramic coated or titanium coated (JBAs) as well regardless of which you go with. I am leaning towards the BBK's but many have the JBA's so I guess personal preference.....

I am not a fan of dyno results that the manufacturer puts out on any header as they always seem to trump them up to sell more units....that is just one car that they posted the results for and not all cars are created equally from the factory (even with similar mods).... JMO
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Old 07-09-2008, 08:12 PM
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RodeoFlyer
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Default RE: JBA vs BBK shorts

I'm screaming BULL$HIT!

It's just not possible that the JBA's produced a 20+ h.p. increase on a nearly stock motor. Their ads used to say 27hp and if you read the fine print..........*with cai and tune*

IMO the only reason to go with the JBA's is because of the smog legality. I've had BBK's in the past with hit and miss results as far as quality.This was as recent as '02 on my last fox body (my Cobra has JBA's lol), so whether their quality has improved or not isn't for me to say.
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