I speak only of my experience and opinion.
There is nothing wrong with a set of shortys. The benefit for a street driven truck is found in separating the exhaust from each cylinder as it exits the head, rather then forcing it to share space. Increased scavenging is the result. For the price and simplicity of install, it is hard to go wrong and one can feel it in the foot and see it at the gas gauge.
Given a race application, long tubes are the way to go, without question.
In the very near future I will install a pair of Pacesetter smog legal headers on my Vortec 4300. Why? Price. Smog is not my concern in OKLAHOMA, but I want the simplicity of install. The true bolt on has got my number. I think the difference between long tubes and shorts is near zero on the street, ESPECIALLY given the cost difference and difficulty of install.
My hotrod has a (inside and out) ceramic coated pair of Hooker comps on it and they pwn. Pain in the ass to install and make fit, but it works, good. I have almost $350.00 in those headers and they are 12 years old. They were JET-HOT coated BRAND NEW.
My '77 Fleetside has a pair of Flowtech full length headers on it that I bought brand new. Before install I cleaned and painted them with High temp paint prior to install. This is the only way to go as it lasts a very long time. Someone suggested to me that I paint over that factory paint which is really only used to prevent rust prior to sale and I am certainly glad I did. They are about 4 years old and still black-ish.
No doubt I will paint my new headers prior to install, but i'll probably go with a silvery color. No experience with that hue, but we'll see how it works out.
Good luck with your headers.
