5.3 Header decisions

**StonewallZ-71** · 02-04-2010, 12:08 AM

I've been hesitating to purchase some Gibson stainless steel headers simply because I can't find them any cheaper than $580.

So far I've read from multiple places that gibson's price mainly comes from its 'show' side of things, and that a set of JBA's/Hookers/etc would actually put out about the same gains for alot less.

Goin for the shorties, although the LT's sure would be nice.

Anyone have some good advice?
I'm hopin to put the top end of things in this truck, but if gibson's are really worth the extra dough, by all means I'll go for em'

thanks for the help!

**KTMRACER** · 02-04-2010, 12:23 AM

shorty headers are not worth $500 IMO

Stock manifolds on your truck flow nearly as good as shorty headers. Longtubes are an upgrade though.

especially when you can get stainless LPP longtubes for $500 with the y-pipe

or the ebay OBX stainless knockoffs for $320 with y-pipe

**smokinsilverado** · 02-04-2010, 09:55 PM

Your going to hear a lot of people say that shorties are worthless, but that is not true they do help just not as noticeable as longtubes. If you can do longtubes in your city then that is what I would go with. Otherwise I have a set of JBA's on my truck and they made a big difference, improved my mileage.

**StonewallZ-71** · 02-05-2010, 12:14 AM

Sounds good. thanks again for the opinions!
I'm going to double check again to see if it's clear with st. louis or not.

I am leaning toward the longtubes now, but if install is just too hard (which I've heard its about a 5 hour job) I will just plan on goin with the JBA shorties.

Any big reasons whether to go straight stainless steel over the stainless w/ ceramic coating or vice versa? wasnt sure if temp would play a role or not in the coated set. also lifespan?

**Toadz** · 02-05-2010, 12:59 AM

If you're looking for the best bang for the buck then I would hold off on the headers until you can do the long tube headers. It'll be well worth it. GM did a great job with the stock manifolds as far as performance goes.

**StonewallZ-71** · 02-13-2010, 09:34 AM

Found a great site that I just ordered by JBA's from this morning.
If you use "clubgp" at checkout with performancepeddler.com you should get some pretty decent savings with your purchase!

appreciate all the help!

**6.0vortecchevy** · 02-13-2010, 09:50 AM

I installed my long tube in about 30 minutes. I really like my lpp, they have held up great.

**Gran Patron** · 02-13-2010, 11:54 AM

Like mentioned, dont even bother with shorties unless you just want them for looks. Save up for LT's will pay out in the long run. Look into the pacesetter's cheapest and great quality brand in the market.

**NegativeEffect1** · 02-13-2010, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by StonewallZ-71

Found a great site that I just ordered by JBA's from this morning.
If you use "clubgp" at checkout with performancepeddler.com you should get some pretty decent savings with your purchase!

appreciate all the help!

so how much did those shorties end up costing you?

**1CLNY2K** · 02-14-2010, 07:15 PM

LPP makes a stainless shorty for like 250ish i think.

**DunesRunner08** · 02-14-2010, 07:24 PM

I have a gibson exhaust system, but I am running the Titanium ceramic JBS shorties... and while people will say they are pointless, they are wrong... There was a noticable power difference, noticable sound difference and if I actually cared to look, or kept my foot out of it, Id probably see an MPG gain too... Shorties are great for states with emissions standard and they flow quite a bit more than the stock ones especially when you pull them off and put them nest to each other, you can tell the difference... i will say that unless you have intake, exhaust, and programming though, you wont get the FULL potential out of them