Longtube or shorties? Headers...which one's better?

[drogg1]

In my setup, which is still a mismatched bunch, my small heads and huge exhaust , 3 1/2 oval, my long tube headers are too much breathing room. And shorter smaller headers would probably help my low end.

Not to argue, just to discuss, I've heard the opposite as far as length goes. The longer the primary and collector of header, the more torque. With the opposite being true for horsepower. I do, however, agree with you on diameter.

I would say if you have small heads that yes, especially with a 3 1/2 inch exhaust, that smaller primaries and a longer overall length would help scavenge during overlap and give you a good boost to your low end torque. Many people think that the bigger the better because at high RPM so much volume is being moved. At low RPM, overlap between the intake and end of the exhaust stroke can cause the exhaust gases exiting through the exhaust port to create a huge suction on the intake port and help to pull in an incredible amount of air. If optimized through keeping exhaust velocity up, this can lead to a great increase in volumetric efficiency. As far as I understand the theory anyways.

 

[Intragration]

When you talk about a mod increasing horsepower at the expense of torque, usually what this means is that horsepower is increased more, torque is not increased as much, and may move up in the powerband. NOT necessarily that you will have less overall torque. In this case, since you're running a 305, shorties MAY be a better answer right now, if this is the only mod you ever plan to do. But if you plan someday to build the motor or increase displacement, long tubes with a free-flowing exhaust would probably be a better long-term solution IMO.

 

[beermonkey9417]

the "best" headers go from 4-2-1 in the collector

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

IVe only ran long tubes... I willnt use anything else.

you can get a nice set of headers with 1 5/8 primary which will help the motor breath a bit. if you go bigger it will be a waste unless its needed.

Your better off doing the whole exhaust there are alot of bolt up kits that are cheap enough.

3 inch collecter to a 2.5 dual exhaust is always a nice combo.