the description between short and long pipe is correct.
but you canīt use every pipe on every engines. i have made the experience that for example, on the 2.11 12T3 IDM engines only long pipes works.
about the stinger, 6mm is not allowed here in germany.
at the moment i use the long Team Magic Pipe with 5mm stinger on a IDM 12T3 engines and it works really good.

about the the longetivity of the ceramic ball, is it so much longer than the normal one that you are ready to spent more money for it?

regards