VETJET

Does anyone have experience installing headers on a 1981 with a 700R4 transmission swap? Also what other mods do I need to do if I run dual exhaust out the back and eliminate the catalytic converter. What brand of header worked the best?

MIKER

I am using Headman headers on my car. The exhaust pipes were bent in a manner that allowed clearance of the transmission pan. I'm not sure if any one brand of header would provide more or less clearance than another.
My cross-member was notched by the installer to provide room for the dual exhaust.

Double Aught

Heddman here too. It is a tight fit, but really not a problem. I have the BTO crossmember and have to run a smog-legal exhaust. It y's after the pan. Ed Hanson Muffler Shop did a fantastic job.

Lt1er

If your 81 has dual exhaust holes through the crossmember they are actually to narrow and the pipes end up right next to the tranny. So an easy mod is just like Miker's picture where you cut out a half circle and weld in a plate straight back from your header collectors. That way the muffler shop will have an easy job with very few bends.

AD2VET

I put Hedman Headers on my '82 with true dual exhausts. I had the muffler shop custom bend the exhaust and routed them both under the passenger side. The driver's side exhaust crosses over behind the transmission pan to prevent any interference. Everything works well. Hope this helps.

Red73

I would go with the cross member from BTO. With their cross member you could run any exhaust configuration that you would like. Go to my pictures below and look at the last set of pictures to see what BTOs cross member looks like installed on my car. Rod

VETJET

I installed the BTO crossmember when I installed the 700R4 tranny and it worked well with the exception of not wanting to modify my factory exhaust at the time. The factory exhaust had to be cut and modified to fit. I got into an arguement with the guy at BTO because nothing was mentioned about this when I buoght the crossmember and he replied that it was very rare for the car to still have its factory exhaust. I guess it it if you are installing the BTO crossmember.

So it sounds like the Hedman headers are bolting up without much trouble.

Are there any special modifications that need to be done to remove the catalytic converter and the diverter valve on the right hand manifold or anyother issues that need to be addressed when I remove the factory exhaust?


[Modified by VETJET, 9:07 PM 2/27/2002]

Prufrock17

I went with Doug Thorley headers on my 78. Fit nicely and noticed big gains.

Red73

VETJET, I would guess that you got an early design of their crossmember. I just received and installed my BTO crossmember and you could run any exhaust configuration with this crossmember. Look at my picture link below and look at the last4 pictures. Rod