Long tube or shorty headers for column shift car?

[Diamond Dave]

Hi all:

I have a 1988 Monte Carlo SS that currently has the original exhaust. Both mufflers have holes in them, so I need new exhaust. I'd rather not spend money on a factory-style exhaust, so I'd also like to run duals, which means I need to ditch the factory manifolds and get headers (because apparently no one has made a y-pipe for these cars in about a decade).

My question is whether long tube or shorty headers will fit my car better-I have a column shift that I want to keep (I like the retro vibe of the column shifter and bench seat). I'm familiar with the benefits of long tubes over shorties, but my priority is which style:

-Won't interfere with column shift linkage;
-Won't interfere with oil filter in the stock location (bonus points if I can run a longer filter);
-Won't interfere with UCAs (or at least as much).

As it happens I have a line on a nice set of ceramic coated Hooker 2466s (shorties) but I'm open to recommendations for either style.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Doug Chahoy]

I put Hooker longtubes on my 79 Elco. Cleared the linkage with room to spare.