Shorty headers for 2017 5.3L

ArgonArgonaut · July 26, 2019

Hey all! Been reading around for the past month or so on here but generally new to the forum. Currently have a 2017 Silverado with the 5.3L V8. In the process of doing the standard trifecta of mods: CAI, tune, cat-back exhaust. I also want to upgrade the exhaust manifold with some short tube headers. Just looking for something with a little bit of gain but generally easier to install, which is why I'm not really looking for long tube headers.

Having a hard time finding some good options for shorties that are a direct and easy bolt on, so I was wondering if anybody might have some advise.

I'm sure this has probably been covered before so I apologize that I'm still new to navigating the forum.

Thanks in advance for any help!

1SLOW1500 · July 26, 2019

Speed engineering cheap stainless and good.

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Darksky · July 26, 2019

I think that “easier install” is a poor reason to choose shorty headers. I think that you may discover you’ve wasted some of your time and money when you see the results comparatively. But, it’s your world. Best of luck and please post pictures of your work and outcome.

ArgonArgonaut · July 26, 2019

50 minutes ago, Darksky said:

I think that “easier install” is a poor reason to choose shorty headers. I think that you may discover you’ve wasted some of your time and money when you see the results comparatively. But, it’s your world. Best of luck and please post pictures of your work and outcome.

True, and I agree to a point. That's only part of the reason though technically. My understanding is that short tube headers are better in the low-mid end, for say daily driving/towing (which is my current situation), while long tube is better in the mid-high end. I could be,and probably am, wrong on that, so feel free to correct me.

My other issue with long tube headers is that I guess I don't understand what all else will be needed...new cat, how will it fit up to the new exhaust, etc. Also will I still be able to pass emissions in Pennsylvania.

Darksky · July 27, 2019

I don’t know if you would be able to mate shorty headers to your existing down pipes and cats. Definitely not without cutting the top off of the pipes and an exhaust shop to bend some new pieces for the connection to the collectors. I still think your going to be wasting your $. But I’m not your boss. Most headers guys, just bite the bullet and get the long tubes and the cats (a lot come with the O2 extensions.) I’d like nothing better than a set of Stainless works with cats. But the $1800 is a bit steep for today.

mikedeezxxx · July 27, 2019

Shorty headers are not gonna do anything. Make it louder? That’s about it. If your gonna do headers, do longtubes. These trucks are just as easy to install long tubes. You don’t even need to lift the truck. Just take off the fenderwell liners. The drivers side will go in easily from the top and the passenger side from the bottom. Plus with longtubes there is more options for exhaust from the cat back. Good luck.

1SLOW1500 · July 27, 2019

Ok so shorty headers do bolt right up and allow for stock y pipe that has stock cats. It is cheap and easy. Your stock y is not holding back power on the stock engine.
The power gain of shorty's is small but so is every mod tell we take tune and combo mods.
As for long tubes they are great on higher rpms. Much is lost on a stock engine till we talk about tune. If you know for a fact you are fine with tune,intake, and increased cost of full exhaust with high flow cats. Then the long tubes are a great option.
It is just hard for people to spend the extra few thousand. This is a easy 3k mod. And very tune dependent. Done wrong you have a very upset customer with a very lighter wallet.
Shorty are much better at scavenging the exhaust gas in the heads. We had over 600whp on those in a 5.3 with a whipple.

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ArgonArgonaut · July 28, 2019

23 hours ago, Darksky said:

I don’t know if you would be able to mate shorty headers to your existing down pipes and cats. Definitely not without cutting the top off of the pipes and an exhaust shop to bend some new pieces for the connection to the collectors. I still think your going to be wasting your $. But I’m not your boss. Most headers guys, just bite the bullet and get the long tubes and the cats (a lot come with the O2 extensions.) I’d like nothing better than a set of Stainless works with cats. But the $1800 is a bit steep for today.

So im not really set on the shorties, it was more so my first though. If I were to look into long tube headers however what do I need to look for in order to keep my truck emissions legal (what ports do I need to make sure are there? Do I need to make sure the cats are Green cats or will better cats still pass? Anything else that I should make sure to keep in mind?)

1SLOW1500 · July 28, 2019

So you will be replacing your Y-pipe if you go with Long tubes. In my option you will have some issues with emissions with just 2 high flows. But maybe someone else that has them and lives in a state that requires testing can confirm.

In my option if all you are doing is intake(CAI) headers and tune. Just go shorties. keep stock cats and y. Pick a cat back that is 50 state legal and just enjoy 50hp increase and unlocked power of the motor. best mod is always tune. rest is more supporting power mods.

Remember regardless of what the owners manual says these trucks make low power do to the power enrichment,emissions, dod, and trans tune. Just unlocking that will feel like more powerful truck.

If you own the tune device and get or make a tune you are ahead of the game. now anything you do you just update the tune and enjoy. or pay a guy everytime.

Technically you can pass a emission test with a built tune.

Darksky · July 28, 2019

Slow, you say use stock cats and then say pick one that’s fifty state legal. Does that mean he’ll still have to buy replacement ones? Is clipping the connections off the top of the factory pipes and fabbing mounts for the collectors onto the existing OEM pipes out? That’s how I pictured it initially. That’s also why I didn’t think you’d see much difference or improvement.

1SLOW1500 · July 28, 2019

You can buy or cut of the flanges but the size is small. With short headers you can keep stock y and cats. Then when I say get a 50 state legal I speak of a cat back. To the bolt on pipe muffler and tip. Cheapest and easiest option. And 1/3 the price of say the stainless works full exhaust.

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