Shorty vs long tube header

[toupee]

Hello all,

While trying to decide what to get for my car I saw a lot of different opinions on hi-po manifolds, shorty headers, and long tube headers.  I figured I would just ask a header manufacturer to see what they said about the differences, so I e-mailed Hedmans tech support.  Here is the message-

As we understand it, YOU ASKED:
Hi,
I am curious if you can tell me what the difference would be between the
78030 and 78070 headers?  Do you have any dyno runs to compare the two?
My understanding is that shorty's generate better low end #'s?  Is that
correct?  I've also heard shorty headers are not much different in
performance than the factory mopar hipo manifolds. Any truth to that?
Thanks,
Brynn

OUR ANSWER:
Thank you for your interest in Hedman Hedders.

Part #78030 is a full length hedder and 78070 is a shortie hedder. Full
length hedder will give you better performance all the way through the
power band. The shortie hedder is definitely better than the stock exhaust
manifold. but it is ideal for ground clearance. Avg gain on a full length
hedder is 8-12% every application can vary. As set of shorties around
8-10%.

Sincerely,
Hedman Performance Group- Technical Support
http://www.hedman.com/FAQ/

So, there you have what the manufacturer says.  Doesn't look like that big a difference between shorties and long tubes according to them.  Of course it took them over a month to get back to me so I had already bought a set, but maybe someone else will find this useful.

[Mike DC]

   
Longer & narrower tubes = midrange torque.

Shorter & larger-diameter tubes = high RPM horsepower.




The same basic relationship applies to just about anything that air/fuel/exhaust gasses flow through. 

Intake manifiolds, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds/headers, collectors, exhaust systems farther back, etc. 

[Rayzor]

so what did you end up buying? I was thinking of trying out the shorty style myself so I am wondering how the fit was.

[toupee]

I bought the long tube street headers, so I won't be very helpful in talking about shortie installation. 
The shorties said they needed a mini starter I do know that.
The set I got wasn't too bad to install... it just took a bit of time... at least i didn't have to beat on them to make them fit.  The clearances are tight though.
The headers do not come near as close to the ground as a set of hooker headers I had on a 340 demon.

[Moparbob]

Toup,,

What year car and motor did you have? The 78030 Headmans fit fine with no mashing or ground clearance problems?

[toupee]

My car is a 71 Satellite with a 383 and 727.  The headers fit without having to bang on anything.  They have some tight spots.  They pretty much touch the tranny where the pan bolts on - that's the closest spot.  Getting them in isn't too horrible if you disconnect the centerlink.  Even easier if you raise the motor a bit.  Mine didn't clear my mini starter so I had to use one of the old large style ones. 
Ground clearance is liveable.  A lot better than the hooker comps I used to have on a 340 demon. 

[Moparbob]

My car is a 71 Satellite with a 383 and 727.  The headers fit without having to bang on anything.  They have some tight spots.  They pretty much touch the tranny where the pan bolts on - that's the closest spot.  Getting them in isn't too horrible if you disconnect the centerlink.  Even easier if you raise the motor a bit.  Mine didn't clear my mini starter so I had to use one of the old large style ones. 
Ground clearance is liveable.  A lot better than the hooker comps I used to have on a 340 demon. 

Hi,

So the shorties cleared everything,, you say the ground clearance is livable, I would think they would be above the kframe no?

[toupee]

I bought the long tube street headers, so I won't be very helpful in talking about shortie installation. 
The shorties said they needed a mini starter I do know that.
The set I got wasn't too bad to install... it just took a bit of time... at least i didn't have to beat on them to make them fit.  The clearances are tight though.
The headers do not come near as close to the ground as a set of hooker headers I had on a 340 demon.

[d72hemi]

here is a good read

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0310phr_jack_burns_exhaust_manifold_header_tech/index.html