Jba Cat4ward Headers... Any Complaints?

08chev · February 4, 2009

for almost a quarter the cost over long tube systems i think i'm just going to use the JBA's. the production quality looks good and the price is right. has anyone used them???

09Jimmy · February 4, 2009

Pretty much a waste of time and money. They are marginally better than your stock manifolds, although they are lighter so you will same some weight off the front end. A much better use of that money would be to spend it on a tune. You will get way more performance from a tune and removing torque management. Down the road, when you can afford longtubes, most tuners will retune for the headers at no charge.

08chev · February 4, 2009

Pretty much a waste of time and money. They are marginally better than your stock manifolds, although they are lighter so you will same some weight off the front end. A much better use of that money would be to spend it on a tune. You will get way more performance from a tune and removing torque management. Down the road, when you can afford longtubes, most tuners will retune for the headers at no charge.

so i can spend $400 for 10-15 hp or $1500 (long tube) for 20-30hp. i guess the way i look at it, i can have a cam swap done w/ a tune and get a solid 50-60hp for 1500.00.

09Jimmy · February 4, 2009

Don't just look at the rear wheel horsepower numbers when it comes to longtubes. They move your powerband lower in the rpm range where you do most of your driving. More torque at 1500 rpm is more desirable than 50 hp at 6000 rpm. Longtubes will really improve the torque under the curve where you can really feel it.

For most bang for the buck I would go with a tune that includes the removal of torque management, then longtubes, then a cam. To get the most out of a cam you're going to want to increase exhaust flow anyway. If you really want bang for the buck, skip the cam and go with the new Magnacharger.

udeleon · February 4, 2009

I've been doing some research on JBA's myself. Looks like they could be the best for their price. I wonder who would be interested in doing maybe a group buy.

Everyone I've spoken to, has recommended them.

jrrod2004 · February 4, 2009

I've been doing some research on JBA's myself. Looks like they could be the best for their price. I wonder who would be interested in doing maybe a group buy.

Everyone I've spoken to, has recommended them.

I would like to throw those on, but I didnt see any for the GMT800 crew cab with the 4.8

09Jimmy · February 4, 2009

Shorty headers are a false economy. Barely better than factory manifolds. Negligible torque increase and don't forget you're still stuck with your restrictive factory catalytic converters and Y-pipe. Both Dynatechs and American Racing Headers include stainless high-flow cats and a larger stainless Y-pipe. Of course anyone who has shortys is going to say they're great because they don't want to admit they wasted their time and money. If money is the prime concern at least get the Pacesetters.

MarkD · February 4, 2009

Waste of time. We put them on a 99, and then replaced them with longtubes. Virturally no SOTP difference.

J-man67 · February 5, 2009

Pretty much a waste of time and money. They are marginally better than your stock manifolds, although they are lighter so you will same some weight off the front end. A much better use of that money would be to spend it on a tune. You will get way more performance from a tune and removing torque management. Down the road, when you can afford longtubes, most tuners will retune for the headers at no charge.

BINGO!

Don't just look at the rear wheel horsepower numbers when it comes to longtubes. They move your powerband lower in the rpm range where you do most of your driving. More torque at 1500 rpm is more desirable than 50 hp at 6000 rpm. Longtubes will really improve the torque under the curve where you can really feel it.
For most bang for the buck I would go with a tune that includes the removal of torque management, then longtubes, then a cam. To get the most out of a cam you're going to want to increase exhaust flow anyway. If you really want bang for the buck, skip the cam and go with the new Magnacharger.

BINGO BINGO!

Shorty headers are a false economy. Barely better than factory manifolds. Negligible torque increase and don't forget you're still stuck with your restrictive factory catalytic converters and Y-pipe. Both Dynatechs and American Racing Headers include stainless high-flow cats and a larger stainless Y-pipe. Of course anyone who has shortys is going to say they're great because they don't want to admit they wasted their time and money. If money is the prime concern at least get the Pacesetters.

BINGO BINGO BINGO!

I have done my research on these and I have come up with the same info...

08chev · February 5, 2009

we need some hard numbers... or at least someone who has ran the shorties... rather than just what someone told someone else. i'm not saying that the jba shorties will give you the same power as long tubes. i (&many others) want to know if the long tubes are worth the extra $1000. what am i going to get for my money. cuz if we only talkin 10-20 differance in hp/torque, i'll keep my $1000.

J-man67 · February 5, 2009

You won't really get better performance out of the shorts. They may be a little better then stock. The same goes for just about every application...car or truck. The long's just provide more power, ALONG with adjusting the torque curve more. I think I remember a guy who tried both and posted dyno #'s. I will try to find it.

MarkD · February 5, 2009

We never ran it on a Dyno, but we have quite a few trucks in the family and after almost every mod, we take it down the road to try it out. Two trucks that ran pretty much even before the shorties ran pretty much even after the shorties.

BuckFeverZ · February 5, 2009

we need some hard numbers... or at least someone who has ran the shorties... rather than just what someone told someone else. i'm not saying that the jba shorties will give you the same power as long tubes. i (&many others) want to know if the long tubes are worth the extra $1000. what am i going to get for my money. cuz if we only talkin 10-20 differance in hp/torque, i'll keep my $1000.

It's been proven on the GMT800 trucks and they will almost the same on the GMT900 trucks I'm willing to bet. I don't think you're understanding the concept here of the HP differences between the shorties and the long tubes. Sure on paper, the long tubes might only have 15hp on the shorties, but the hp and torque is down the the rpm range where it can be utilized rather than being up near 5 and 6k rpm's.

The choice is quite clear to me, if you still want to run shorties, just deposit that money into my bank account, you'll be just as well off...

08chev · February 5, 2009

we need some hard numbers... or at least someone who has ran the shorties... rather than just what someone told someone else. i'm not saying that the jba shorties will give you the same power as long tubes. i (&many others) want to know if the long tubes are worth the extra $1000. what am i going to get for my money. cuz if we only talkin 10-20 differance in hp/torque, i'll keep my $1000.

It's been proven on the GMT800 trucks and they will almost the same on the GMT900 trucks I'm willing to bet. I don't think you're understanding the concept here of the HP differences between the shorties and the long tubes. Sure on paper, the long tubes might only have 15hp on the shorties, but the hp and torque is down the the rpm range where it can be utilized rather than being up near 5 and 6k rpm's.

The choice is quite clear to me, if you still want to run shorties, just deposit that money into my bank account, you'll be just as well off...

wow... thats an interesting comment. ..... i've been waiting to use this icon!!!! thanks