Long Tube Vs Shorty Headers

[mickmiller]

Cmon y’all this is the first YouTube video I’ve seen in a long time that got straight to the point without an entire life story and history of the channel. Good job dude!

[teejay]

I like how at 3:15 he says "if you have questions, ask them in the comment section below" but then not a single reply to any of the questions.

[yota]

Shorties do have easier bends than cast manifolds and they alsonhave larger primaries typically than LT. for drivability shorties typically offer more benefit than LT especially in a truck where low end is more desired than top end. You will see an improvement below peak torque with shorties verses simply a higher number at peak torque with LT. it really comes down to how high your engine revs past peak torque and how often you drive past peak torque.

[greggarner]

I put shorty headers on my 90 k1500 and did get a "seat of the pants" performance increase over the stock manifolds. It is a tow vehicle so I need the low end torque and bottom end. So for the cost of replacement I am very happy. Not to mention the installation was a breeze.

[hawk]

You can help the shorty tubes scavenge better by putting a fueling pinch in the header tubes with in about 6 to 8 in of the cylinder head. I've seen it done with a lot of success especially on things like Harley engines.

[musclebone]

Long tube makes more power! Shorty's are good for fitment problems.

[nickmiller]

I've got tuned shorties on my 2015 SS 1/LE, love the low end. I've often wondered if I should have done the long tubes - now I think I made the right move. GREAT explanation. It's still on the stock exhaust from the mid back, but I do like the sound, don't think I'll ever go full aftermarket. Chevy did start adding the X-pipe on the 2016s and newer, so I am getting ready to do that. Looking forward to the possible scavenge gains and the sound!

[icecubes_for_the_boiling_frogs]

I put zoomies on my 2.3L ranger. They stick out of the fender on the passenger side and are about 20 inches long. Don't know if it did anything for power, but it sounds badass!!

[jasonhakala]

On my Mustangs I noticed way more torque. More power at the top end from the long tube headers. I've had multiple cars with each and if I ever build another car it will definitely be long tube.

[robertemmons]

I've had a set of long tubes on my '68 C10 327 since 2006 when I had rebuilt my motor.

Fortunately I had plenty of room to install them. Never had an issue overheating the starter. At the 2:20 mark I've scraped my header flanges at times, and my truck is at stock height. I'll have to replace my headers with the short tubes or a set of ram horns when I perform the 4/6 drop.

[pointh]

Looks like I wasted money on shorty headers. Oh well. The deeper tone to my exhaust and the better response in the low end is quite nice though

[andrewchristianson]

Vacuum scavenging.. very interesting. Thanks for the info! Will probably be a long while before I look into getting any of these.

[russellboyd]

I have longtube hookers headers on my 1977 torch red vette.On older cars headers are sick.I would not put them on a modern car, My car is 44 years old, I also put on a high performance exhaust manifold, and flowmaster 40 mufflers.It sound awesome.added about 22 more horsepower, but i did it for the sound, the sound rocks the house for sure.thanks russ.

[dono]

The way it was explained to me not too long ago is that before computer modeling and flow profiling this was a general rule and if one stuck to it would generally do well. But it seems that with the advancement of technology the ability to design and build better flowing headers have made short style headers less of a handicap these days so much so that unless you are running an all out dragster a short style header should be all most people can truly benefit from. Am I misinformed?

[alsmith]

He should have mentioned, the more an engine is built the more important it becomes to use high quality long tube headers, I've been building 600 horse 2nd gen LT1road racing engines, the build is not complete until a good set of long tube headers go on.

[cruzanity]

Long tubes = More expensive but better Performance

Shorties = Lower cost but only good for appearance & stock replacement

[Rockinruffhouser]

I’ll go for shortys. My long tubes keep heating my starter. And cooking my wires

[nordmenn]

Thanks for explaining it in simple english

[darrellmedley]

The school of thought I have been told is Long Tubes for air flow. Long Tubes help your car breath and flow air through your system. The more air through, the more power you make, that is why you lose some torque on the low end, you don't get the back pressure that you get with shorties, that is why Long Tubes are boss for upper RPM range. If you are getting top end work done; Cam, super/procharger, bigger pistons, etc, then Long Tubes are the way to go. If you are planning those mods in the future, then long tubes are the way to go.

[melted_pistons]

Summary. Long tubes arent always bolt on but make more mid range to high end power. Shorties are better for fitment and some low end torque