CX Racing 1 5/8" Long Tube vs Sanderson 1 3/4" Shorties?

[spitsnaugle]

Somehow my actual post is missing. I received a database error on submit. Here is the original content: 

 

Building up a mildly built LS1. 

 

Hawks is out of my budget, so I was wondering what the general consensus was on the performance of short tube - larger diameter, vs long tube - smaller diameter headers.  Specifically: 

CX Racing 1 5/8" Long Tube vs JTR/Sanderson 1 3/4" Shorties?

 

Anyone? 

Edited January 20, 2016 by spitsnaugle

[Randomcow]

I currently have the shorties on my car, for some reason I can't get them to seal up properly, maybe warped the flange. I just received my long tubes from cx racing, they seem to be well built, the flange is super thick compared to the shorties I had, plus stainless is nice. Ill give more info once I get them on.

[Stock Car Mafia]

For the price of both, I would go with the cxracing ones.  Everyone and their mother has the shorties and some seem to have issues with the 3 bolt flange gaskets.  The need to replace the gaskets and the tight spots to get the bolts out make everyone wince.  

 

I say step out of the mold and be another member to try something new!

[spitsnaugle]

I've actually gone ahead and ordered both to do some test fitting for another member's new motor mount kits in development.

 

 

For the price of both, I would go with the cxracing ones.  Everyone and their mother has the shorties and some seem to have issues with the 3 bolt flange gaskets.  The need to replace the gaskets and the tight spots to get the bolts out make everyone wince.  

 

I say step out of the mold and be another member to try something new!

[Meatwad]

LS engines looooooove long tubes

[Zfan1]

LS engines looooooove long tubes

X2

[Mikelly]

Has anyone used the OEM manifolds?  On my LS3 in my 2012 Grand Sport they flow well and are certainly supporting 435HP without issue.  Could you make more power?  Sure... But given the royal pain it is to fit LTs, I'm not sure I would fight it on a street car build.

 

Mike

[alainburon]

My C6 Z06 had nice manifolds from the factory, in fact I sold them to LS3 guys but no comparison to the change in the power band after I installed the LG Motorsports long tubes. I went with the 1 3/4 instead of the 1 7/8 and my car ran great on the street and would outrun the guys with the same mods except they used the 1 7/8 headers.

 

I know they are a pain to install and not cheap but in my opinion well worth the money. Horsepower wise I agree with you there are not major gains but the power band changes completely from stock so in turn you have more usable horsepower. Like some guys here say LS engines love long tubes.

[spitsnaugle]

Update: I bought them both for a test fit. My thoughts and photos:

 

CX  1-5/8" Long Tube Headers: 

Like the flange. Don't like the short collector. Most welds are good. Would prefer a slightly larger diameter (and avoid the instant step down at the flange). (Forgot to take a photo inside collector.)

 

JTR / Sanderson 1-3/4" Shorty Headers: 

Dislike the ground down-weld flange. Welds look like quick MIG work. Like the Larger Diameter tubing.

Edited January 20, 2016 by spitsnaugle

[JoeK]

Wish the CX long tubes would work with the JCI mounts, but I think I've read that people say they won't. Doesn't look likely from your pictures but maybe...

 

Thoese don't look like the JCI headers. JCI headers are 1 5/8" and look quite different than those. Maybe those are the JTR headers? Here is a pic of the JCI headers I got. I didnt buy these from JCI, I bought them from a HybridZ member, but was told they were JCI.