What is the difference between longtube and short tube?

 

Short tube headers are designed for cost efficiency. They add HP while they allow you to retain stock piping.

Long tubes have greater scavenging effects, although they are much larger, harder to install and run the risk of clearance issues, also they require a new mid-pipe.

Contrary to belief on a GT putting out less than 400hp, shorties with a midpipe will produce similar HP & TQ gains as long tubes. The HP & TQ will be available in different places in your power band. Ultimately Long Tubes are far better, but for an extremely small budget racer, shorties get the thumbs up.

 

Why do longtube headers make more or different sound?

 

Long tubes are just that, long tubes with a rather large collector to maximize unburnt gas scavenging. The scavenging properties of long tubes are far better than shorties.