On a 5.7 HEMI, shorty headers promise easy bolt-on power without turning your daily driver into a race-only project. The real question is how much horsepower they actually add compared with stock manifolds, and what you pay in dollars, labor and trade-offs to get it. I will walk through the gains, the costs and the alternatives so you can decide whether shorty headers are the smart move for your particular HEMI build.
What shorty headers really do for a 5.7 HEMI
Shorty headers are essentially freer flowing replacements for the factory cast manifolds, using individual primary tubes that merge into a collector to help the 5.7 breathe more efficiently. Typical Short designs keep the primary tubes relatively compact so they bolt into the stock location and connect to the factory mid-pipe, which is why they are often described as a direct-fit upgrade for street cars and trucks. On a mostly stock engine, that better scavenging shows up as a crisper throttle response and a stronger pull in the low to mid range rather than a huge bump at redline.
Manufacturers position these parts as the go-to choice for owners who want a modest bump in output without re-engineering the whole exhaust. One guide to Short, Tube Exhaust notes that these are the most commonly used option for vehicles chasing a modest increase in power while keeping drivability and emissions hardware intact. In practice, that means shorties are aimed squarely at daily driven Chargers, Challengers, 300s and Ram 1500s where owners want more punch without drone, check-engine lights or constant tuning headaches.
Horsepower gains: marketing claims versus dyno reality
On paper, the gains look tempting. A set of Dodge Challenger and Charger 5.7 Hemi 1-3/4 Shorty Exhaust Headers marketed under PART #4028 list FEATURES that include “15-20 Horsepower Gains Over Stock Increased Exhaust Flow for More Power,” a figure that reflects ideal conditions on a healthy engine. The same INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS material repeats those FEATURES and emphasizes that the design is focused on increased exhaust flow for more power, which is consistent with how shorty headers work on a naturally aspirated V8.
Independent guidance on the broader header market for the 5.7 suggests that long-tube systems can push a mostly stock engine into the low 330s at the wheels, depending on other modifications, while shorties typically deliver a smaller bump. One overview of Horsepower Gains from Installing Headers on a 5.7 HEMI notes that long-tube setups are the heavy hitters, which implicitly frames shorties as a compromise between power and practicality. A second look at the same Installing Headers guidance reinforces that context, making it clear that while shorties help, they are not the maximum-power option for a 5.7 build.
Shorty versus long-tube: power, drivability and emissions
From a tuning perspective, the main trade-off is where in the rev range you want the extra power and how much hassle you are willing to accept. Long-tube headers tend to favor top-end horsepower and often require moving catalytic converters, which can complicate emissions compliance and inspection. Shorty headers, by contrast, keep the cats in roughly the stock location and focus on low to mid-range torque, which is why one analysis of Power Gains from Shorty Headers stresses that the improvement is especially noticeable in the low to mid-range RPM band where street-driven HEMIs spend most of their time.
Cost and legality also tilt many owners toward shorties. A detailed breakdown of how much HP shorty headers add to a 5.7 HEMI and what they cost notes that these parts can deliver a meaningful bump on a naturally aspirated engine that does not have any forced induction, while typically costing several times less than long-tubes. That same discussion of How Much HP a 5.7 HEMI And What Do They Cost points out that Mopar engines have had their ups and downs throughout history, but for modern 5.7 owners the shorty option often hits the sweet spot between performance, price and the ability to stay on the right side of local regulations.
What you actually pay: parts, labor and materials
Once you move past the dyno charts, the real-world cost picture starts with the hardware itself. A set of Flowmasters Scavenger Series Elite shorty headers is marketed as a direct replacement for restrictive factory manifolds, with Flowmasters Scavenger Series branding aimed at buyers who want a premium finish and durability. Other options lean heavily on material specs, such as an AFE Twisted Steel 409 Stainless Steel Short Tube Header that highlights 1-5/8 Gauge 409 Stainless Steel Mandrel-Bent Tubing for Unrestricted Flow, with the Stainless Steel Mandrel Bent Tubing for Unrestricted Flow language underscoring the focus on both performance and corrosion resistance.
Fitment and finish also influence price. A listing for JBA Shorty Headers Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi New Body (19-23) CARB/Smog Legal 1 1/2″ describes detailed Fitment Information Dodge for the New Body Style and notes that they are a Note Direct replacement for the factory parts, which helps justify a higher price for owners who value bolt-on simplicity. At the more budget-conscious end, a 5.7L V8 Shorty/Long Tube Header for a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi from Brand Suncent Certificate ISO9001:2015 uses Material 201 Stainless Steel and lists a Material spec of 201 Stainless Steel Condition New Outlet Flange Thickness and Primary Tube Size that trades some corrosion resistance for a lower entry price.
Labor can rival or exceed the cost of the parts, especially on late-model trucks and cars with tight engine bays. A shop that specializes in exhaust work in Phoenix notes that you might spend as little as a few hundred dollars on a straightforward job, but the price can soar beyond $1,000 once rust, broken studs or complex routing enter the picture. That same Phoenix shop invites customers to call 480 964 for a detailed quote and directs them to a Contact Us page, which underlines how much local labor rates and vehicle condition affect the final bill. For fully custom stainless work, a fabrication shop that posts about HRE equal length headers notes that Headers are Normally Stainless and that Normally Stainless headers range $3000- $3500 depending on material and complexity, with the Normally Stainless pricing showing just how quickly costs climb once you leave the off-the-shelf market.
Choosing among popular shorty options for your HEMI
For owners of late-model Chargers, Challengers and 300s, several brands have carved out a niche with direct-fit shorty designs. These BBK Performance shorty tuned Length exhaust Headers are marketed as direct fit replacements for all 09-23 5.7L cars, with one listing for These BBK Performance tuned Length Headers emphasizing the combination of power and straightforward installation. A similar Dodge Challenger Charger 5.7 Hemi 1-3/4 Shorty Exhaust Headers listing repeats that These BBK Performance shorty tuned Length exhaust Headers are designed and constructed as direct fit replacements, with another These BBK Performance entry reinforcing that message for buyers cross-shopping different finishes or part numbers.
Truck owners see a similar spread of choices. One aFe Twisted Steel Shorty Headers for 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 ad invites drivers to Unleash more torque and horsepower with this Twisted Steel Header for RAM 1500 HEMI, describing Optimized, 1-5/8″ mandrel bent, 304 stainless construction, with the Unleash and Optimized language aimed at owners who tow or haul. JBA shorty headers are pitched as one of the foremost performance upgrades you can bestow upon your car, truck or SUV, with a Cat4Ward Header for Ram 09-19 describing how JBA Headers are tuned for usable power, and a JBA listing that explicitly calls out SUV applications. For car owners in emissions-sensitive states, a JBA 09-23 Charger/Challenger/300 5.7L HEMI 1-3/4in Primary Cat4Ward Header Raw 409SS notes Part #:1964S-1JS and CARB EO#D-57-35 50 State Legal JBA status, with a separate Part entry highlighting the 57, 35 and 50 State Legal JBA credentials that matter when inspection time rolls around.
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