Shorty Headers, worth it?

[Tom Bryant]

I put these on my 1969 truck so emissions stuff wasn't an issue. There was a lot of excess weld in the port that needed removed. See the picture. They aren't all this bad. I also still used the stamped steel spark plug shields to protect the plug boots visible on the right side picture. I haven't started this engine yet since I built it and I also need to fab the exhaust system. I can't imagine there would be any sound difference if all that was changed on the system was these shortys. A long tube equal length 4 tube header definitely sounds smoother from my experience. For my mild build I didn't see a need for long tubes plus finding some that don't hang too low on a lowered half ton is hard to do. I've ripped collectors off on lowered cars before.

There used to be a company that made a side exhaust system for C4s called Side Effects. I haven't seen them in any catalog in some tine though. They were a cat back system, if I remember right, that did a u turn back towards the front of the car and then another u turn to run along the rocker panel. They had a body color cover to protect legs from burns and a nice sound. You might look into these if you want something different. Google or EBAY might turn up a set.

Tom

 

[slofut]

Had two pairs of the ones in Toms pic, and a pair of Sanderson cc2's which are a dead ringer for the same, installed on my 350sbc in my jag xjc. All three leaked in the collector, the Sandersons (coated) about 3 months after I got them, the GM's lasted much longer. But they all look good, and hug up closer to the block than the post '82 design. Rams horns are probably just as good for power. You'll never feel the difference in any case.

 

[kpic]

One of the rules in forced induction design is no forward facing steps in the air passage.

To see how that rule works, look at a rock in a fast flowing brook or creek. The flow of water is interrupted or slowed on ether side of the rock. The raised protrusion of the weld will slow or neck down the flow of exhaust gas well beyond the little lump it is, the same as the rock does water.

Shorties will flow more than stock cast iron; however, they will not scavenge or time the pulses etc. as long tubes do. However, long tubes and emissions testing don't get along. OTOH, they can be fitted with wide band O2 sensors (a no-no) in emissions testing States.

Basically shorties are a bit better than stock cast iron.
Headers vs. Manifolds - Huge Aftermarket vs. Stock Exhaust Dyno Test - High Performance Pontiac Magazine

 

[toobroketoretire]

If you pay attention you'll notice most engines now days have iron exhaust manifolds that feature runners that are about 8" to 10" before joining together. Making them "shorty" headers. So when comparing ram horns to shorty headers the shorty headers ARE an improvement at real high rpm when no mufflers are used. But regardless of which you choose it's best to NOT use gaskets..............just metal to metal as metal to metal can't fail.

 

[kpic]

If you paid attention, you wouldn't continue to prattle on.

 

[LLC5]

If you paid attention, you wouldn't continue to prattle on.

Asking quite a bit of the dude, don't you think?

 

[kpic]

Asking quite a bit of the dude, don't you think?

I've noticed it's more than he can handle.