Shorty headers worth it for 5.3?

[Burban22]

I have a blackbear tuned 2003 suburban z71 5.3 4x4 3:73. I have a afe cold air intake and replaced stock muffler with a magnaflow. Stock cats. I hear a tick on cold startup which mostly goes away when at operating temp but I’ve already replaced manifold gaskets and all broken bolts except the driver side rear has the Dorman fix bracket but that should work with shorty header.

Found these $200 shorty headers. Are they worth it or just buy new stock manifolds if I find mine are warped or cracked?

I don’t really want more engine bay heat or more exhaust noise as it’s now just right with magnaflow and vibrant ultra quiet resonator. But they claim 12hp rear wheel hp improvement which seems too good to be true.

https://speed-engineering.com/collections/1999-2013-silverado-sierra-suv-headers-exhaust/products/speed-engineering-shorty-headers-truck-suv-1999-2013

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I am not knowledgeable on headers, but this topic has been discussed several times in various threads. As I recall, the general consensus is that shorty headers do not do much, if at all, to improve performance. I believe that the exhaust sound will get louder.

Folks with actual header experience will chime with their thoughts and perspectives.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Problem with that claim - may or may not be true, who knows? - is total lack of specificity.
12hp @ what RpM? If it gains 12 hp @ 3000RpM, BUY IT GOTTDAMNT!
12hp @ 5000RpM, you may not notice.
12hp on a 4.8L? on a 5.3L? on a 6.0L? on a 6.2L?
I prefer stopwatch or time trap measurements over '+ this many horsepower'.

Like when people say 'my speedo is off by 5MpH'.
Off by 5MpH @ 100MpH? @ 50MpH? @ 25MpH?
Is it faster or slower than actual? (Slower is technically a federal crime, but so is smoking pot.)

 

[Mudsport96]

They are worth 3hp and 3tq on a 4.8..... so let's say they are worth 4.5hp/tq on a 5.3.

Header test

Long tubes are the only way to go when naturally aspirated or supercharged. And stock manifolds go well into the 800s with a turbo. They are well designed.

 

[Burban22]

Sounds like I should just stick to stock manifolds when mine fail. Thanks for the responses and video link!

 

[Mudsport96]

Very welcome. I hate for folks to spend money that isn't going to get them what they think it should.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I have a blackbear tuned 2003 suburban z71 5.3 4x4 3:73. I have a afe cold air intake and replaced stock muffler with a magnaflow. Stock cats. I hear a tick on cold startup which mostly goes away when at operating temp but I’ve already replaced manifold gaskets and all broken bolts except the driver side rear has the Dorman fix bracket but that should work with shorty header.

Found these $200 shorty headers. Are they worth it or just buy new stock manifolds if I find mine are warped or cracked?

I don’t really want more engine bay heat or more exhaust noise as it’s now just right with magnaflow and vibrant ultra quiet resonator. But they claim 12hp rear wheel hp improvement which seems too good to be true.

https://speed-engineering.com/collections/1999-2013-silverado-sierra-suv-headers-exhaust/products/speed-engineering-shorty-headers-truck-suv-1999-2013

I’ve had 4 sets of their Longtubes now I recommend all my friends to speed engineering. My tuner also get them for a deal at like 280$ from one of his buddy’s…
Always fit like a glove I’d opt for Longtubes and the off-road x pipe and a good tune if you really want to make a difference

I have the 1 7/8” with 3” exhaust from them paired with corsa pro resonators it sounds fantastic

 

[Chevymec]

I put Edelbrock Shorties on my old 2000 Z71 Silverado back in the mid 2000's and could tell zero gain from them.

 

[petethepug]

Headers, especially long tube really come into their own with a set of TrickFlow or similar aluminum, big valve, high flow heads. Mild cam, new heads & L/t headers can easily wring out 100-150hp and retain a street able idle and drivability.

It’s a recipe for boring, reliable power for the long run.

 

[tdupont]

Shorties don't do much. I put a set on my 03 5.3. Put the gaskets supplied on and it seemed like I could hear every rotation through my firewall. Tossed ARP bolts in, oem headgaskets, much better. But the over cabin noise wasn't worth it IMO.

In the process of building a 6.0 and 4l80e for it now. Most likely will go long tube and run it catless. No point in doing diff manifolds if you aren't doing motor work.