what is best to use on my 81 elcamino, long tube headers or shorty ones?

Full lenght (also calleded long tube, competition or racing headers) offer the best performance but don't work well on the street because of clearance problems. Block hugger (also called shorty headers) are easy fit but don't offer all the performance of long tube headers. Street headers (also called 3/4 lenght headers) are a compromise and to me make the most sense on the street. Hooker, Hedman, Edelbrock, Doug Thorley and others all make good street headers.

ok thanks forthe info

I have dynomax ceramic long tube headers, i found they fit better than hedman headers my car is lowered and our roads are in pretty bad condition and i never have any problems with them hanging to low to the ground.

Like Mrapii said, Street headers also called intermediate length are your best bit.

so all u guys are sayin that intermidiate or street header are better than long headers?

What we're saying is that street headers fit more easily and have less ground clearance problems than competition (full lenght) headers. By all means use competition headers if the fitment and ground clearnce issues don't concern you. Competition headers can give more performance than other shorter headers, however if you run the exhaust thru pipes and mufflers the power gain is probably going to be very little.

hello..any of you guys have clearance problems invovling the frame on the pasenger side..what brand of headers are an absolut good fit..competition street shorty doesnt matter..im at my wits end lol lol

i have doug thorley headers, they fit pretty nice. No clearance issues.

Hooker comps all the way for my Camino. :D

i have doug thorley headers, they fit pretty nice. No clearance issues. I want to get Thorley TRI-Y's for my 76 K5 Blazer.