Long Tube Headers VS Shorty Headers

What are the pros and cons of both?Can anyone explain in detail how each effects the performance and how?This is on a 331 and i have shorties now but am wondering if i go with a set of long tubes and purple hornies if i would make more power and how much?

What kind, I bought shorties for mine (hedman) and they wasnt even close to fitting on my heads, they hit on the row of bottom head bolts, has anyone eles had this problem, has far as performance these guys can probably let you know who has had some dyno done.

Both HEADERS in question are flowtech.I have shorties on her now and besides the crappy paint that was on them theyre killer for under a 100 bucks.

Now im considering throwing on a set of the long tubes from flowtech and was wondering what the differences are and where?

Basically what im wanting to know is how each style of header effects performance and where?Im looking for alot of down low grunt and it has it now but it can always get better no matter how good it is.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img]

"Im looking for alot of down low grunt and it has it now but it can always get better no matter how good it is."

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Then go for long tubes. It's that simple. Even better, go for a Tri-Y design. For low-end grunt a header needs a relatively narrow tube which is long and has a long collector. For the top-end power you would want a shorter tube (some may argue with that), with a larger diameter for better flow volume. It's all about trade-offs. For a crisp, torquey bottom end, all engine components, not just the headers, should lean towards smaller ports for higher velocity, smaller header tubes for better velocity. It will be strangled at higher rpms, but if it's for street and highway, it will make you happy. I'm with you on your quest for bottom-end, neck snapping torque. Remember, most of the combinations our fellow FM friends have are for high rev drag racing. You want a dual plane intake, small port heads and long tube, small diameter headers. Then hold on. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

The biggest pro/con for shorty/LT is space/fitment. Go with a 1 5/8" LT.

I'm running 1 5/8" hedmans longtubes. I have a 750 DP, dual plane intake and a small 268 roller cam. The 268 cam, dual plane intake, and small longtube headers gives a perfect balance of torque and HP for my daily driver. This weekend at the strip I launched @ only 1500 rpms with all-season radials and still managed 1.95 60' times and 12.40's in the 1/4 mile. If I had a 5 speed with a lower 1st gear it would even be better. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

IMO quality and fitment go hand in hand, although this does not answer your question, I think you would be happier with a pair of headers that fit good and looked good and ultimately had good performance qualities, but maybe not the best.

I think I stand alone here on this subject but I belive a premium quality shorty header is worth the couple ponies at the top end vs. a pair of long tubes, I say this because I have tried longtubes in my 65 and it was a total catasrophry trying to get them on, I will never go back. If you want the most HP you can achieve then longtubes are the way you should go. If you want a good balance of performance and quality, w/o fitment issues or sparkplug clearence problems then I say JBA shorty.

I chose to go with a pair of JBA shorty`s, best header I have ever owned, they looked good, flanges were very thick and straight as an arrow, and when installed on my iron heads I ran them for 3 years with no leaks. I put them on my new E-brock heads and have no leaks. BTW this car made almost 350 at the tire with no more than a pair of aluminum heads on a stock 89 short block, 650 dp Demon, mild cam.
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