fakeyankee

Whats the difference between long and short (shorty) headers. Does this refer to the way it hooks into the rest of the exhaust or do certain cars require a certain length ?? Fakeyankee

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

It is the actual configuration of the header tubes, dictated by connection to the rest of the exhaust system.

"Long" have tubes that are in the 25"-30" range - what you typically seen in the magazines, on dynos; the "standard" header.

"Short" tube or "shorty" headers are for chassis combinations with limited space or ground clearance. Tube length is in the 12"-15" range. They are also the "emissions-legal" types for 3rd gen cars, because the factory routes all exhaust to cat converter(s) on the passenger side, which limits the routing (due to space) to get pipes over there. However, not all shorties are emissions-legal.

Air_Adam

I agree with Five7...

A long tube header is one that goes down, and then under the car, but a short tube header (shorty) will go down to about the bottom of the engine and end there.

fakeyankee

OK...... so to stay smog legal, and keep my basic exaust configuration, I'd be better off getting the shorty header system.....maybe the Hooker 2055 ??? Sorry to be a pain in the A$$, but got to get this strait.to get the show on the road.

Mark A Shields

Yup, you got it.

gtabadboy

Id reccomend the SLP system for you if you have the money. It comes with the AIR hookups too. Depending on future plans you have a choice of two sizes. Id get the bigger ones but thats me. Note that Long Tube headers will cost more all around due to y-pipe restrictions. My complete exhaust was 1300 for Hooker Long tubes and mufflex 4".

fakeyankee

Think i'm going to stay with the Hooker shortys for now. Thanks for the Advice anyway !!

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

A caveat to 2055's and your application: They are "legal" for the applications they state - '86-'90 TPI single-cat. You don't fit that listing.

However, there is "technically legal" (as above), and "for all practical purposes legal", which is probably true in your case. Hook up all the equipment, use a cat, and "most likely" you will pass.

fakeyankee

Is this because i have a 4-bbl carb vs. the TPI system ???? Is there a header made for my application or will I have rig any that I choose to buy ???

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

It's because Hooker decided to make a system specifically for the '86-'90 TPI single-cat application. If you buy all your aftermarket exhaust components for that application, the "rigging" you will have to do will be very limited. The driver's side A.I.R. routing is the only thing I can think of that would cause any issue with installation at all (and that's assuming that your '87 system is like my '86 system, and not like TPI - I don't know which it is).

Edelbrock makes a system specifically for the LG4, but buying it for that reason is a performance-limiting decision that will cost you dearly to rectify (as Chevy High Performance magazine found out on their "My Generation Camaro" - an '87 LG4).

I'm betting on the "for all practical purposes", myself. I'll know in November.

fakeyankee

So....there is a problem with the Edelbrock headers, as they rob the LG4 of power ???? Because of the emissions standards ?? Mind you , i'm not looking for massive horse power, but something that has a little more juice than usual. Remember that this will be a daily driver with lots of highway miles consumed. What is your opinion on this header issue ??? What would you recommend, or if you were in my shoes ??? Thanks for putting up with me five7kid !!! Any comments or opinions you have, i'd appreciate ! Thanks! Fakeyankee.

DreamState21x

I have edelbrocks on mine they are not short or long actually... They make them specially for 82-92 f-bodys.. They are long but I don't think they classify as long tube headers..

fakeyankee

But are they emissions legal ??? This is the thorn in my side as of late !!!!
Fakeyankee

fakeyankee

I have also read on this board that there could be some ground clearance issues with some headers. Anyone have a similiar problem with that ??? Fakeyankee.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If you order TES for your application, they will be emissions-legal. They retain the so-called "heat riser valve", which produces restriction (as I said Chevy High Performance magazine found out in their "My Generation Camaro" project).

TES are short-style headers. Amen, end of story.

Ground clearance is typically only a problem on long-tube headers, which go under the floor pan like Air_Adam said.

Ricktpi

A properly installed Edelbrock or Hooker shorty setup will not have clearance problems. You will scrape parts of the frme/body before the exhaust.

fakeyankee

Thanks five7kid !!! You been a great help in this poblem ! So I take it that to be trouble free with the installation, and connection phase of the headers......TES would be my best bet regardless of the flow restrictions you had mentioned ??? I take it that this is what I have to trade off ( less flow but complete and correct emissions bolt-on ) to get this thing started ?? The TES a decent header ?? I appreciate your comments and opinions !!! Fakeyankee.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

The TES is adequate and an improvement over the stock exhaust system. It is not ideal as a performance improvement, especially if you have plans for the future in that arena. In my mind, it was worth the potential smog-**** harassment over details to get the performance improvement of a non-LG4-specific system. I really don't think they're going to say anything, but I won't know until November when I'm due.

Unless you are really, really worried about getting past smog inspection (not smog sniffer), I would not go with the LG4 TES.

DreamState21x

Yes, they have all emissions parts buit in and since they are cutom length for 82-92 camaros and T/A they have great clearence.. Only thing is if you get them make sure you get the ones with the thicker flange so you have no worping problem(same way with any header you buy...)

fakeyankee

Thanks guys for the input !!! But to be honest...I really made an uninformed statement to you all........It just turns out that something was bothering me and as I checked out the block casting #'s........it so happens that I have a 350 made between 69-79 ( light blue old painted motor ). with the LG4 emissions hooked up. I'm happy about the motor size but pi$$ed because I wasted all your time by talking out my A$$ !!! I hope you forgive this rookie move on my part and I should have done my homework more thoroughly. Regardless of this.......i'm back to square-one !! Any advice on what headers to choose now !!! I have a real brain fart at the moment !!! Thanks !! Fakeyankee.