BBK LS3 shorty headers

[flht99b]

Has anyone installed BBK LS3/L99 shorty stainless steel headers ? How is the fit and finish, ease of installation, overall quality of the product ??

[flht99b]

Anyone ??

[v6sonoma]

I almost got a set recently but I've spent quite a bit on mods this month so I held off. They looked to be really good quality and finish, as for fit I couldn't tell you.

[BlessedChef10]

Stupid question but is it legal to put long tube headers on my v6 camaro in california?

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by BlessedChef10

Stupid question but is it legal to put long tube headers on my v6 camaro in california?

Not a stupid question but no, it's not legal. You could still do it, but you won't pass visual inspection and if you're not running cats, you won't pass smog either. And you'd probably be exposing yourself to a big fine should a cop stop you.

[BlessedChef10]

What about shortys ?

[BlessedChef10]

JBA shortys ?

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by BlessedChef10

What about shortys ?

As far as I know, shorty headers are Cali-OK since they don't move the cats. If you want to be a real stickler and be 110% legal, you're supposed to have CARB certification, but I don't care that much. I think JBA and maybe Thorley are CARB-cert'd but I could be wrong. They would know best.

[2010SSRSM6]

I dont know of a companies shorties that will not get a CARB #. California is VERY SLOW when it comes to giving out the #'s. Most companies have other headers that have the CARB# and get a supplemental # until the final # comes through.

BBK's fit and finish is great! I'm putting LT's on my Cali car. No smog for 5 years so I have plenty of time to get a set of tuned length headers if I stay here.

[flht99b]

I'll be installing BBK shorty stainless steel headers ( # BBK-40205 ) on my 2SS/RS 6manual Camaro tomorrow. The rest of the exhaust is stock except for GMPP "touring" axle back mufflers. The BBK SS shorties look well made, come with gaskets, header bolts and instructions. Will report on installation and overall impression late Friday or Saturday.

[jag107]

Subscribed.
I want all the info I can get on the BBK shorties!

[flht99b]

Installed my BBK SS Shorty headers Friday 3/19. Took approximately 5 hours but should be much less. Below is the email I sent BBK Tech Support, they have emailed me back they are looking into it however I have not received a call from them as I requested. My wife says the exhaust is louder, to me the tone has changed a bit ( for the better ) and the very slight drone I had at 70mph in 6th is now gone. I have the GMPP "street, quieter version" axle back installed along with the BBK shorty headers now. I installed the GMPP axle back several months prior to installing the BBK shorty headers. I should have my Cold Air Induction CAI late this week which I expect will step up performance some more and may increase the noise level slightly. My car was on a drive on lift to install the headers.

"The instructions need a little touch up, both headers were installed from the bottom, however the driver side needs to have the steering shaft disconnected from the steering rack and collapsed in order to install the header. The instructions do not mention disconnecting and collapsing the steering rack.
The real issue I had was the collector size is too large OR needs to be dimpled where the 2 factory flange nuts attach the head pipes ( pipes with 2 cats and 2 O2 sensors ) to the collectors. I was unable to use the factory flange nuts and even with non flanged nuts, the nuts barely clear ( maybe 1mm at most ) the collector so a socket nor a box wrench could be used to tighten these 4 nuts. I had to use a combination of a very short open end wrench to tighten the 2 nuts on the collectors closest to the front of the car and a crows foot to tighten the rear 2 nuts on the collector closest to the firewall. This was a painfully slow and unnecessary ordeal. It took well over an hour to tighten these 4 nuts due to poor design and/or manufacturing and the average home mechanic most likely would have removed the headers and called you about this problem. At the very least there should have been enough room to use the 4 factory flanged nuts and a box wrench to tighten them. I wanted to but resisted heating and dimpling the collectors where these 4 nuts are BUT as the nut drew close to the collector flange the lack of clearance would have remained so I did not modify the headers in any way. Frankly, I shouldn’t have to modify a fairly simple set of shorty style headers."
" I am a Camaro5 forum member ( id is flht99b ) and many on Camaro5 are awaiting my feedback on your SS shorty headers. The quality of the welds look good, however some cleanup inside each port at the header flange should be done. I purchased the BBK shorties as I wanted the T304 stainless which your competitors do not offer at this time and believed the reputation BBK has for quality products. Sadly, my overall satisfaction and impression of these headers is at best only fair at this point. I would like a call to further discuss this, I can be reached anytime at xxx-xxx-xxxx."

I will post further if and when BBK calls me. After driving about 80 miles I can honestly say there is a significant power increase in the 2500 to 6000 rpm range. WOT noise level is only slightly higher but still very low, I do not want a loud car. I've had my fill of that years ago. Cruise noise to me is the same as with the stock manifolds, my wife thinks it's slightly noisier but very little. Spark plug access is as easy as stock, headers came with gaskets and header bolts. No codes thrown, my car has the stock, factory tune. Ed.

[v6sonoma]

Hmm. This concerns me. I had this on my list as a potential. Perhaps it's good I waited on them. Maybe they still need to work out the kinks?

[radz28]

Do you have some pics' the the shorties themselves you could share? I haven't seen any that were what I was looking for.

Thanks for the review, BTW. Consider posting another one, possibly after your follow-up with BBK, in the feedback section.

Thanks for anything you feel like sharing