Shorty headers - but a different question

300bhp/ton

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
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Ok here's a question for ya all.

How affective are shorty headers on blown applications?


I am not familiar with the design or flow rates of the stock headers on a s197 GT. Does anyone know or have dyno proof of shorty headers producing HP on supercharged setups?


The reason I ask is based on my understanding of the science. Essentially on a n/a setup flow rate is less important with the headers to a certain extent and with only bolt ons most modern factory manifolds flow sufficently. Hence very limited gain in HP when shorty headers are added.

However long tube headers generally see healthy gains (espcially in the Fbody world). This is however due to a thing called scavenging and not flow rate of the headers. Thus producing a 5th process in the induction cycle.

With a supercharged setup the intake charge is already pressurised, this prevents exhaust manifold scavenging from taking place. So it is then all about the flow rate.

A 450rwhp twin screw setup is evidently producing a lot more gas than a stock 245rwhp car and flow rate is important.

I know that on other cars (supercharged Fbody's, Terminators) that adding shorty headers produces a healthy HP gain.

Infact from my understnading and reading in the LSx world on a supercharged setup shorty headers usually deliver about the same gains as Long tubes do but for less money and easier install.

Is this likely to be true on the supercharged s197's?
 
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Ok here's a question for ya all.

How affective are shorty headers on blown applications?


I am not familiar with the design or flow rates of the stock headers on a s197 GT. Does anyone know or have dyno proof of shorty headers producing HP on supercharged setups?


The reason I ask is based on my understanding of the science. Essentially on a n/a setup flow rate is less important with the headers to a certain extent and with only bolt ons most modern factory manifolds flow sufficently. Hence very limited gain in HP when shorty headers are added.

However long tube headers generally see healthy gains (espcially in the Fbody world). This is however due to a thing called scavenging and not flow rate of the headers. Thus producing a 5th process in the induction cycle.

With a supercharged setup the intake charge is already pressurised, this prevents exhaust manifold scavenging from taking place. So it is then all about the flow rate.



A 450rwhp twin screw setup is evidently producing a lot more gas than a stock 245rwhp car and flow rate is important.

I know that on other cars (supercharged Fbody's, Terminators) that adding shorty headers produces a healthy HP gain.

Infact from my understnading and reading in the LSx world on a supercharged setup shorty headers usually deliver about the same gains as Long tubes do but for less money and easier install.

Is this likely to be true on the supercharged s197's?


Depends - on the power output but in the contex you are speaking about not much.
 
The factory headers flow very well for a non equal length piece, however there is still room for improvement.....as for shortie headers the only ones worth wile are the JBA's, if I'm not mistaken they are the only equal length units available. :shrug: