Longtube headers only? lose hp?

**freni32** · 12-24-2006, 12:08 AM

I just bought some long tube headers that I am going to install on my car soon when I get some time off for it. I was curious... obviously it will be very loud and very illegal.... but is there a difference in hp gain of long tube headers dumped right out the headers.... vs. just running straight pipe no cats or mufflers right out the back of the car.... just trying to figure out if it is worth the money to make a custom straight pipe right out the back of the car or to just dump it from the headers (no mid-pipe).

**nhraformula** · 12-24-2006, 10:10 AM

youre not going to make that much more power running open headers. its not going to be worth it noise factor alone. now if its only going to be a strip only car, go for it.
best bet generally is long tubes, catless y pipe into a catback exhaust.
i suggest a hooker catback because its only around $300 and also put a dump on it and open it up when racing.

**shady milkman** · 12-24-2006, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by freni32

I just bought some long tube headers that I am going to install on my car soon when I get some time off for it. I was curious... obviously it will be very loud and very illegal.... but is there a difference in hp gain of long tube headers dumped right out the headers.... vs. just running straight pipe no cats or mufflers right out the back of the car.... just trying to figure out if it is worth the money to make a custom straight pipe right out the back of the car or to just dump it from the headers (no mid-pipe).

yea you realy wont get too much gain and then a lil lighter without the exhust piping but yea like nhra said, open headers are loud. but i personally love raspy and just over the top loudness in f-bods. but do what nhra says i give it 100% backing.

**freni32** · 12-24-2006, 08:35 PM

ok great thanks, ill go catless y and dump it, just wanted to get the best hp out of the long tubes

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-25-2006, 10:53 AM

You could ditch the y-pipe and go true -duals dumped before the axle. That would be sweet. But running open headers all the time will give you a major headache everytime you drive it.

**Silver Streak** · 12-25-2006, 12:44 PM

Yep... I like my TDs... nice sound.. and not that expensive from TSP.

**9t8z28** · 12-25-2006, 12:54 PM

You will see more of a torque gain running open headers. Maybe 10 foot pounds. As for horsepower, you will see a small gain, like 3 to 5 horses on average.

**ProwlerZ** · 12-28-2006, 08:15 PM

Actually, without a tune you'll lose hp across the whole range, and only gain tq up top. Trust me, open headers is something you only want to do as an option: Through E-cutouts. I love loud, seriously, but it's seriously too loud, well, at least for driving. At idle, it sounds awesome, but give it a little gas and it sounds like...well, like you've got open headers! I'd suggest going duals through an X-pipe dumped without a mufler, never heard it, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be great.