Hey guys,

I read on another forum not to install long tube headers if you live in an area that does emissions testing. Since I live in Ontario, this concerned me. Does the same apply for catless mid pipes?

Also I read that installing long tube headers on 99-04 GT's is a big pain in the rear.

 

Yes longtubes,and even shorties are a royal pain in the ars as the K member needs to be drop for either.
I think if you were to do longtubes,and had a catted mid pipe still on,you will be fine.Running an off road mid pipe is where you would fail.

 

The ONLY down fall to long tubes headers is it takes longer for your O2's to heat up.

As for emissions....makes sure you have good working cats.

Long tube headers are the biggest pain in the *** ever, I just done head gaskets and I had to remove everything from the top, and then the headers were always in the way then I couldn't move them cause the steering shaft and the brake booster, etc....

But once there in and you dont have to work on it damn they sound so good. Tell you the truth ill NEVER go back to a shorty EVER again

 

So how big of a job would this be? Are we talking a whole day's work? Weekend job?

Also, if you run Long Tube headers with stock mid pipe, but with aftermarket catback exhaust, will the stock midpipe hinder performance significantly?

 

If you plan on running Long tube headers, you will then have to buy a new Mid section for long tube headers.
I would go BBK Long tube headers, H-Pipe for long tubes, and your own choice for a cat back.

Don't get MAC long tubes cause they don't offer a catted mid section, were BBK does!

It really depends on your location and tools. If your doing it in your driveway then it could end up taking a couple days. Doing it on a hoist few hours.

Hope this helps.

 

if I buy shorties, will I still need a new mid pipe? Or can I run them with the stock one?

 

Shorties will allow you to run the stock mid pipe when needed for those e test times.

 

I've also heard that going with a stock mid pipe kills a lot of power though and that when you do headers you should typically swap the mid pipe. It may be a waste to install shorties if I'm gonna be running the stock mid pipe, especially since its such a big job and they're not that cheap. The power gain (or lack thereof) may not be worth it in the end.

I guess I could go with LT's and an off-road H or X pipe, but keep my stock mid pipe and swap it during emissions tests...that would be kind of a pain to do though.

Ahh decisions decisions...

 

Like I said earlier, do BBK LT's and buy the off road H-Pipe, you have 2 years to save up for a catted mid section. Now you will have both and the new catted mid section will last for ever!

Dont do shorties wast of time. LT's perform and sound best! Again buy the BBK's, MAC dont offer a catted mid pipe.
The advantage to MAC is the MAC Prochamber this is what I have and a custom catted mid section for the E-test.

You get short tube heads and yes you can use your stock catted mid pipe, then what??? your only gonna turn around later and change it all later.....do it now.

This is just my opinion do what you feel is best for your needs.

 

With BBK longtubes,and highflow catted BBK mid pipe,you should have zero issues passing emissions,if you are still worried,the shorties can be used with a off road mid pipe,and when it is time to do the e test,swap back in the stock mid pipe,that is what most of us do that are running the off road mid pipe.A half hour to 45 minutes of your time in total to swap it out for the test is no big deal really.
And again,the stock mid pipe will NOT work with longtube headers.The stock mid pipe is way to long,and is designed for shorty/stock style manifolds.Long tubes require a mid pipe designed for the longtube design,reason they are called longtube headers.