Shorty vs Long Tube Headers

Do you want your Camaro to sound like a tuba or a trumpet? Since this is Get Loud week at Phastek, we wanted to talk about what will make your Camaro sound like its Elvis lulling you to sleep. Or would you prefer to have Aaron Neville singing your lullaby?

For us this comes down to choosing some headers. Shorty headers are going to merge into your existing exhaust and be much easier to install. But long tube headers will have the biggest impact on sound and performance because they are longer and merger further away from the exhaust.

Headers are available in both shorty and long tube. Shorty headers are going to merge into your factory cat pipe and be much easier to install. But long tube headers will have the biggest impact on sound and performance because of the longer primaries and merge further away from the exhaust.

There are pros and cons to both. The shorty headers aren’t going to have as much power and won’t sound nearly as deep as long-tube headers – but not everyone wants or needs that much power.

Shorty Headers:

• Easier to install
• Perform best in the idle to mid-RPM range.
• More suitable for a daily commuter
• Bolt onto factory cats, so most some are emissions legal
• No tuning needed

Long Tube Headers:

• Produce more power in the mid to high RPM range
• 1 ⅞” and 2” primary sizes available for different applications
• Best “Bang for Your Buck”
• Tuning needed to ensure proper air/fuel ratio

One is not any better than the other, it just depends on what you’re looking for and wanting to do with your Camaro. But switching from stock will create a different sound and performance from your Camaro.