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Shorty header/supercharger combo??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guamie
  • Start date Start date Jun 12, 2006

Guamie

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Dec 9, 2004
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Jun 12, 2006
#1
  • Jun 12, 2006
  • #1
Good idea or not? Would the shortys still help over stock headers if the car is supercharged (say to about 460-500 flywheel)? Or would too much back pressure be a problem? I don't want to choke the system. Or is it safer to go supercharger with stock headers? Does a shorty header allow more airflow than stock, thereby making it easier on the boost? I know long tubes can be great for a supercharger though? But I lowered the car like 2" already and long tubes might not fit. Help please!
 

anthony05gt

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Mar 18, 2006
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Jun 12, 2006
#2
  • Jun 12, 2006
  • #2
I'm sure the shorties will give some gain, but not much. Long tubes for these cars do not hang below the car. They will not be below the subframe. Get the long tubes.
 

Guamie

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I was told they would be below. But if they're clear, I'll hit the long tubes. If I end up with having to go shorty, I know they'll increase hp from stock, but is that because of backpressure or better free flow of air?? I just don't want the excess power boost to be choked at a shorty header if the stock was going to be smoother and more efficient in exiting the vapors? know what I mean? =)
 

Tmack

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Oct 15, 2004
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Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 13, 2006
#4
  • Jun 13, 2006
  • #4
Shorty headers will not add much if any performance. Equal length shorties like JBA shorties might add a little performance with a supercharger. The big advantage would be if you have ceramic coated headers. This will lower engine bay temps produced by the supercharger. If you are looking for performance as stated above you have to go with long tube headers.
 

Fast05

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Sep 16, 2005
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Jun 13, 2006
#5
  • Jun 13, 2006
  • #5
My longtubes do not hang below the frame...
 

anthony05gt

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Mar 18, 2006
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#6
  • Jun 13, 2006
  • #6
I just went in the garage and looked under the car and yes, the JBA longtubes are even with the bottom of the subframe. They don't hang down at all. The longtubes do flow much better than shorties. Stick with the ceramic like tmack said.
 

Guamie

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#7
  • Jun 15, 2006
  • #7
smog legal?

I think the LTs aren't CA legal. I'm hoping to keep the car CA legal. I may have to go with the shorty's. So, do they increase hp by more backpressure or improved airflow over stock?? B/c if it has better air flow, then perhaps it should be safer or just as safe as running stock, right? What would be safer on a supercharged engine? stock, or shorty headers like JBA?? sure, let's say they're ceramic coated or just plain stainless steel. Any ideas??
 

Tmack

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Jun 16, 2006
#8
  • Jun 16, 2006
  • #8
Equal length shorties like JBA and long tube headers reduce back pressure. Since each cylinder has its own exhaust tube of equal length, the gasses from the engine can flow with less restriction, thus increasing HP. With the stock exhaust manifold, sometimes gasses don't have enough time to leave the manifold before the next cylinder fires, causing excess backpressure. Having it ceramic coated reduces the temperature in the engine bay causing the engine to run cooler (especially if you have a CAI in the engine bay).

Long tubes are not CA legal, The JBA shorties are CA legal.
 

V8JamesGT

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Jan 22, 2006
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Jun 16, 2006
#9
  • Jun 16, 2006
  • #9
I'm planning on buying the JBA Cat4ward shorty headers. But since I'm not supercharging my stang, will getting the ceramic coated headers help keep the engine that much cooler?
 

anthony05gt

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#10
  • Jun 16, 2006
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Whatever you buy make sure they are ceramic coated. It makes a big difference in under hood temps.
 

Tmack

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Jun 16, 2006
#11
  • Jun 16, 2006
  • #11
V8JamesGT said:
I'm planning on buying the JBA Cat4ward shorty headers. But since I'm not supercharging my stang, will getting the ceramic coated headers help keep the engine that much cooler?
Click to expand...
The headers will run hotter than the stock manifold because they are made with less material. Because of that your engine compartment will be hotter. In my opinion if you are going to be investing money in new headers, why not invest a little more in the ceramic coating. JBA has two ceramic coatings, silver ceramic and titanium ceramic. Go with the silver ceramic coating, the titanium coating only helps you during extreme race conditions.
 
1

1bad05

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Jun 16, 2006
#12
  • Jun 16, 2006
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i have a set of non coated S.S. FRPP shorty headers on my Procharged 05'. and it's all good. i wouldn't get too hung up on under hood temps if your planning on running a supercharger that is innercooled like mine. if i was going to try and keep it cooler under the hood i would consider a cowl hood. headers are a good upgrade for sure but you won't have any backpressure issues if you don't. i assume you are planning on getting rid of stock cats. they would be the only restriction concern. i am getting ready to install long tubes on mine and remove x-pipe and go back with an o/r h if anybody is interested in FRPP shorties and bassani catted x-pipe ceap!
 

Guamie

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#13
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How do the shortys sound? Do they add anything like a deeper tone or growl compared to stock? I've heard LTs and I know they do. If shortys are safe on a supercharged engine, I'll go with them (CA legal). Thanks for the help.
 

Tmack

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Oct 15, 2004
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Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 17, 2006
#14
  • Jun 17, 2006
  • #14
Guamie said:
How do the shortys sound? Do they add anything like a deeper tone or growl compared to stock? I've heard LTs and I know they do. If shortys are safe on a supercharged engine, I'll go with them (CA legal). Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
They will produce a deeper tone than stock, but not a much as long tubes.
 
R

royb

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Apr 24, 2004
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Jun 19, 2006
#15
  • Jun 19, 2006
  • #15
Guamie said:
Good idea or not? Would the shortys still help over stock headers if the car is supercharged (say to about 460-500 flywheel)? Or would too much back pressure be a problem? I don't want to choke the system. Or is it safer to go supercharger with stock headers? Does a shorty header allow more airflow than stock, thereby making it easier on the boost? I know long tubes can be great for a supercharger though? But I lowered the car like 2" already and long tubes might not fit. Help please!
Click to expand...

shorty's work great, sound great, and i'm pushing 522 at the flywheel and 461 at the rear. yes more air can escape, hi flow cats help as well. if you ask me LTH are not worth the extra $$ for street car. many people lose the usable HP on the street. if you are a track a holic and rrace every weekend then its worth it to go woth LTH if not you will be fine with the shorty's eithr blown or unblown.
 

Guamie

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Dec 9, 2004
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Jun 19, 2006
#16
  • Jun 19, 2006
  • #16
royb said:
shorty's work great, sound great, and i'm pushing 522 at the flywheel and 461 at the rear. yes more air can escape, hi flow cats help as well. if you ask me LTH are not worth the extra $$ for street car. many people lose the usable HP on the street. if you are a track a holic and rrace every weekend then its worth it to go woth LTH if not you will be fine with the shorty's eithr blown or unblown.
Click to expand...

Cool, that's great to hear, since when I put on the blower I actually want less hp than you (500 flywheel is plenty good for me). I'd love to eat up a new shelby, make porsche and ferrari owners regret their gazillion dollar investments, have a nice demonic growl, and stay CA legal. I know it's alot to ask.
 

anthony05gt

Active Member
Mar 18, 2006
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Maryland
Jun 20, 2006
#17
  • Jun 20, 2006
  • #17
royb said:
shorty's work great, sound great, and i'm pushing 522 at the flywheel and 461 at the rear. yes more air can escape, hi flow cats help as well. if you ask me LTH are not worth the extra $$ for street car. many people lose the usable HP on the street. if you are a track a holic and rrace every weekend then its worth it to go woth LTH if not you will be fine with the shorty's eithr blown or unblown.
Click to expand...

I can't argue with that and I have the longtubes.
 
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