the guide
HEMI HEADERS BUYERS GUIDE
SHORTY HEADERS VS. LONG-TUBE HEADERS
Most customers trying to decide to upgrade to Shorty or Long-Tube Headers on their 5.7L Hemi, 6.1L SRT8, 6.4L 392 or 6.2L Hellcat / Trackhawk / TRX need to consider a variety of things. This guide is designed to help you fully understand the difference between Hemi Shorty and Long-Tube Headers, so you can make the best possible purchase for your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram Hemi.
OVERVIEW
Shorty Headers are designed to be used with factory Mid Pipes or direct replacement aftermarket Mid Pipes.
Long-Tube Headers are only sold with corresponding Mid-Pipes. This is because Long-Tube Headers have a different configuration and will not bolt up to factory Mid Pipes. The collector flange on Long-Tube Headers are further back on the vehicle and in a different location altogether. This is why all of the Long-Tube Headers we offer are not sold individually, they are ONLY sold in combination with the shorter Mid-Pipes, as they are designed to be a direct-bolt on modification and both are required (Long-Tubes with Mid Pipes).
Something else to consider is the installation time and difficulty on a Shorty Header vs. a Long-Tube Header system. The installation time and difficulty are not all that different between the two types of setups. On both Header types, it requires removing both the OEM exhaust manifold and OEM Mid-Pipes (yes, even on Shorty Header upgrades). When we do in-house installations, we quote the same labor cost and time for both setups.
aFe power
AFE Power makes a very nice set of Shorty Headers for the 300, Challenger, Charger, Magnum, Durango, Ram, Jeep Grand Cherokee & Wrangler Hemi models. Made from T304 Stainless Steel, their Headers are available in Raw Finish or Titanium Ceramic Coating (inside and out). These are the quality set of Shorty Headers that we offer, which is reflected in the price point. All of their Header kits provide Gaskets & Hardware complete for a 100% bolt-on installation.
BBK
BBK Shorty Headers are the most affordable Header brand and are very popular amongst 300, Challenger, Charger & Ram customers. Unlike most other brands, BBK systems are made from mild steel (compared to stainless steel). The difference in material is reflected in the price. They offer all of their kits in either Silver Ceramic or Titanium Ceramic Finish. All of their Header kits provide Gaskets & Hardware complete for a 100% bolt-on installation.
JBA
JBA Headers has the most extensive offering of Shorty Headers for Chrysler, Dodge, Ram & Jeep vehicles for all Hemi engines, as well as V6 models. Their product point is right in between that of AFE & BBK. All of their systems feature T409 Stainless Steel. Most of their kits are offered in Raw Finish, Silver Ceramic or Titanium Ceramic, depending on the customer preference. All of their Header kits provide Gaskets & Hardware complete for a 100% bolt-on installation.
LONG-TUBE HEADERS
Long-Tube Headers will make more power than Shorties. That is because they have a different configuration, longer Primary Tubes and feature Mid Pipes with Catless or High Flow Catted Mid Pipes. They will also be louder than Shorty Headers. On a stock 5.7L Hemi, you will usually see an increase of about 30-35whp. On the 6.1L SRT8 and 6.4L 392, an increase of about 35-40whp is expected. On the 6.2L Hellcat, Trackhawk and TRX, between 45-50whp.
With Long-Tube Headers, all of these power numbers will be substantially more with a custom tune for maximum efficiency of Air/Fuel Ratios and Engine Timing. Again, keep in mind that the installation time, cost and difficulty is the same as Shorty Headers.
TUNING
Shorty Headers do not require tuning. You can tune a vehicle with Shorty Headers, but it is not necessary. In doing so, you will not see the same substantial power increases from a custom tune when compared to custom tuning for Long-Tube Headers. This is because they do not feature longer primary tubes and the fact that they can be used with factory Mid Pipes, with the factory Catalytic Converters. Shorty Headers will not affect the Air/Fuel Ratios like with Long-Tubes. In addition, Shorty Headers will not produce a Check Engine Light, because most of the time, the factory Cats stay in place.
Long-Tube Headers are a different story. When adding Long-Tubes and corresponding Mid-Pipes, the vehicle will sometimes run a little on the “Lean” side, which means the engine needs more fuel. Many customers adding Long-Tubes will add a custom tune to the vehicle to achieve a “Richer” Fuel Mixture. Running “Lean” is not always the case with Long-Tubes, but many times it can be an issue. Therefore, a custom tune is not always required with Long-Tubes, but in many cases may be recommended.
Another thing to note is that all Long-Tubes systems will throw a Check Engine Light due to replacing the OEM Catalytic Converters. Yes, you will have a CEL with either Catless or High-Flow Catted systems. Even if you run a system featuring High-Flow Cats, they flow significantly more than the OEM Cats. That means that both (Catless and High-Flow Catted) will have a CEL related to “Catalyst Efficiency”, which is usually a P0420 and P0430 code. This can be resolved two ways: using O2 restrictor fittings (quantity 2, one for each side) or doing a custom tune and physically tuning out the rear O2 sensors. Those rear sensors are ONLY there to ensure the Catalytic Converter efficiency, not for monitoring and controlling Air/Fuel Ratios (like the front sensors do).
Enter HEMIFEVER Tuning - We have worked with Hemi Fever for almost two decades now. They specialize specifically in DiabloSport custom tuning that is done remotely through email! To use the custom tunes that they offer, you need to purchase a Diablo Tuner (either i3 Platinum or T2 Platinum). We sell both of these, they can be found here-
CATLESS VS. HIGH FLOW CATTED MID PIPES
Long-Tube Headers are offered with both Catless and High Flow Catted Mid Pipes. Many people desire a Catless setup with Long-Tubes. This is because they feel that Catless Mid Pipes will produce more power. That is not always the case. We personally recommend going with High Flow Catted Mids, unless the system is being installed on a “strictly race vehicle”. High-Flow Catted Mids do not restrict power vs. Catless Mids. In actuality, these are free flowing, with minimal restrictions. They also provide slightly more backpressure than Catless Mids, which translates to more engine torque (vs. Catless).
Another reason (and the main reason) that we recommend going with High-Flow Catted Mid Pipes, is because they provide much better sound quality. Nothing is worse than an exhaust drone inside the cabin. Rest assured there will be much more drone by going with a Long-Tube setup that features Catless Mid Pipes (compared to High Flow Catted); especially at highway speeds and at RPM levels between 2-3k rpms. This can be particularly obnoxious and overwhelming on long road trips and driving at highway speeds for long periods of time.
That being said, the only brand where Catless Mid Pipes are an option is from American Racing Headers. Other premium brands, such as Kooks and Stainless Works, only offer their systems with High-Flow Cats. It’s important to note that all three brands feature the best quality and performance of any Long-Tube systems available.
3 PREMIUM LONG-TUBE HEADER BRANDS
As mentioned, all three of these brands (Kooks, American Racing and Stainless Works) are premium, top of the line aftermarket Long-Tube systems in terms of quality and performance. However, there are minor differences between the three.
Kooks Headers
Kooks Headers & Exhaust is a heritage performance exhaust manufacturer best known for high-quality stainless steel headers and complete exhaust systems. Built for serious street and track builds, Kooks products focus on fitment, durability, and the kind of airflow improvements enthusiasts chase when stepping up power.
American Racing Headers
American Racing Headers (ARH) builds stainless steel headers and exhaust systems aimed at serious performance gains for modern muscle and high-output platforms. The company emphasizes USA-made craftsmanship and race-proven designs, making ARH a popular choice for enthusiasts chasing power, sound, and track-ready durability.
Stainless Works
Stainless Works builds exhaust systems, mufflers, and fabrication components. Designed for enthusiasts who want sound, flow, and fitment, their exhaust solutions balance fitment, tone, and performance-minded flow characteristics. If you’re upgrading for a more engaging sound and a cleaner, higher-quality exhaust setup, Stainless Works is a proven name in the aftermarket.
STAGE 8 LOCKING HEADER BOLTS
The reason that we rave about these bolts is because they have an extremely innovative feature, which is a locking tab that is held in place at the head of each bolt. These locking tabs rest against the primary tubes of the header, preventing them from backing out, ever. Again, Kooks provides these will all of their Long-Tube systems. But as mentioned earlier, these can be purchased individually and used with any aftermarket Long-Tube or Shorty Header Kit. These Header Bolts do not require a retorque and provide great peace of mind knowing that you do not need a retorque and ensure that you will not experience bolt backing out or any future exhaust leaks. We highly recommend these with any aftermarket Long-Tube or Shorty Header setup. Stage 8 Locking Header Bolts can be found here-
COMETIC MLS HEADER GASKETS
Again, these Gaskets are included with all Kooks Long-Tube systems. However, these can be purchased separately and can also be used for most aftermarket Headers (Long-Tube and Shorties), including ARH and Stainless Works (and Stainless Power). The benefits of using MLS Gaskets vs. composite Gaskets is that they will not burn out. In addition, the Multi-Layer Steel, when compressed, is good at filling in minor imperfections of the Header Flanges. These gaskets are recommended for both Stainless Works, Stainless Power and American Racing systems. Cometic MLS Header Gaskets can be found here-