302 Headers

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Jul 2, 2008 | 12:25 AM

SportCustomWalt

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Lakeland , Florida

302 Headers

I have a 72 with a 302 C6. Which headers will give me best performance? The long tube or shorties?

Jul 3, 2008 | 05:18 PM

mcdobson

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 249

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From: Sacramento, CA.

The long tube headers are supposed to give more torque, but I found them to be too much of a pain. They are hard to get in,they heat up the starter you can't get the starter out etc..
I took mine out and bought the Summit ceramic coated shorties with the 3/8's flange and had the muffler shop fab some 2 1/2 in. header pipes and I could not be happier. No leaks, the pipe is away from the starter, sounds great and looks great.

Jul 3, 2008 | 09:25 PM

Dave Severson

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From: Madison, SD

Correctly sized equal length long tube headers with the proper length and diameter collectors are by far the best.... Most of the shorties are unequal length tubes and no collector to speak of at all. Tube size is important to maintain exhaust velocity, tube length and collector size and length are for maximizing the torque. Well, that's an abbreviated version of what headers do... For performance, go with the long tubes...Shorties are at least equal to and most better then cast iron stockers, but not a whole lot....

Jul 12, 2008 | 06:50 PM

mcdobson

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 249

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From: Sacramento, CA.

After having done both setups on a 302 bumpside, in my opinion you will never fill the performance difference between the two.

Jul 14, 2008 | 02:53 AM

sleep_deprived129

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Joined: May 2007

Posts: 218

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From: Everett, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdobson

After having done both setups on a 302 bumpside, in my opinion you will never fill the performance difference between the two.

ok i'm a little slow...explain that to me...shorties dont preform as well? am i understanding right?

Jul 14, 2008 | 11:05 AM

mcdobson

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 249

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From: Sacramento, CA.

Long tube headers especially same length tube headers produce more torque.
But I couldn't tell the difference. But the difference in the "pain in the ***" factor sure is evident with the shorties. Ease of install, no burnt starters, no removing headers to replace starters, no exhaust leaks etc...