87-93 shorty or long headers?

Shorties can work with catalytic convertors; therefore, can be emission legal. Long headers do not, so are not.

Long headers put out better performance.

As for sound, the piping and mufflers behind the headers will influence the sound more than the headers themselves.

Patrick '93 Cobra

One exception to this rule is the long tube setups that offer a shorty cat h-pipe to bolt to the long tubes and then to the rest of the stock-style exhaust. Look for this setup if you're interested. You'll lose a bit of torque with the long tubes, but gain it back plus (over stock) on the top end.

JS

shorty

You'll

JS,

Long tubes generally make more torque (and power) all the way through the rev band.

Patrick '93 Cobra