Alright, timer for me to sound like a newb again. I've been hearing around about these shorty headers, so I checked american muscle and looked at them. I suppose they're supposed to let exhaust flow more freely? How does that improve power?

Also, can I use shorty headers for any exhaust kit, such as Roush's?

Thank you,
Silas

 

I've also heard of longtube headers, do they provide better performance than the shorties? Just wondering.

 

i'm still learning myself...but you are losing a more restrictive stock system and creating better air flow with your replacements.

My understanding of the exhaust is that is is three parts. Your headers, your mid pipe, and the catback

You want to make sure your midpipe is conpatible with your headers. I like americanmuscle.com because it explains what you need to have a proper fit.

 

Shorty headers can be used with any stock compatible mid pipe, or even the stock mid pipe its self. The replace the factory manifolds and bolt up the same as the factory manifolds. Some people will tell you there is no gain and some will tell you there is. I just had mine installed and I can feel a gain, but I also had other exhaust work at the same time.

Long tube headers need to use a custom midpipe. Most header manufacture also make a midpipe to use with there long tube headers so this isn't a problem. You will gain more power, but on a N/A stock neither of them equate to huge gains. You will see much more power gained with new cams or forced induction (supercharger, turbo, etc) and long tubes then stock manifolds.

Now that being said, technically all long tube headers are illegal, while shorty's are legal in most stated (JBA shorty headers are legal in all 50, since they have a carb number) Now if you don't have visual inspections then you can get away with long tubes and a catted H pipe.

I have the shortys as I live in a testing area I also have a magnaflow high-flow catted X.

 

plus, long tubes sound nasty

 

I have BBK shorties and I could tell a gain. Better throttle response and pulls harder. I think they're good for some mid-range torque, but little hp at the peak. The bang-for-the-buck factor was on the low side given the cost to install. Then again, if I were worried about how much this car was costing, I would have probably left it stock!

Obviously, the gain is good deal larger for longtubes, but they have negatives that were listed above. I had a car with longtubes once. They were so loud you couldn't really have much of a conversation!

 

Are there legal cats that flow better? I have the JBA shorty bassani x and a spintech axle back-- I know the cats that come stock restrict power...

 

when i replaced my exhaust with the JBA and magnaflow catted X i def felt the power difference. it scream WOT. you def get thrown back in the seat a little more with is very noticeable. its ALOT less restrictive where i seen an increase in gas miliage. i get about 19-20 driving to school where i was getting about 17-18 and i get between 30-33 on highway depending on what speed im doing. i did instal myself. it was fun and enjoyable just time consuming.

 

Yes they are, while some people say the stock cats flow good already, they are double the size of the Magnaflow cats, there is more substrate in the stock cats for the exhaust to pass though making them less efficient. Also the high flow cats give you a louder exhaust note.

I really don't like cars without cats, no cats seems to make the exhaust raspier and in general less smooth sounding, of course much louder, but not in a good way IMHO, but that's to each there own.

 

how much was the install on the headers?