Rgrimsley

I just purchased a 1982 vette with a rebuilt 350. It has been converted from crossfire injection to edlebrock carb and intake. The existing exhaust manifold looks like factory small tube headers with old return line openings welded shut. I would like to replace them maybe with headers and high flow cat to make it run as nice as possible. Are headers worth it or do they create more problems than they are worth?

Shark Racer

There's a big performance gain. They can make service a little bit more of a pain. If your motor mounts are questionable I'd change them at the same time you do the headers.

I'm assuming by "return line" you mean AIR fittings.

George Ries

headers will help alot

LastC3AZ

Big Time better ..... hopefully they changed the heads out as well .????

here's what I used ... good fit and look good ...

http://www.stans-headers.com/tri_y.htm

74modified

Yes they can help, but also can be a pain to maintain. Get high quality gaskets and locking header bolts to lessen the chance of leaks. Stainless or coated headers also look better and last longer than the cheaper painted ones. You may also find you need heat shield boots for you plug wires.

jcloving

Yes they are worth it. I have a stock '76 L-48 and I have more power now.

I used s/s headers with a ceramic coating, locking ARP bolts and ceramic boot plug wires. So far, no trouble only fun.

Easy Mike

The stock 81-82 exhaust mainfolds were some of the best and most efficient GM ever put out. They amount to factory headers. You are not likely to feel any apppreciable gains going to aftermarket headers unless you make the swap to dual exhaust and lose the catcon.

If you need the cat for emissions testing purposes, keep the stock mainfolds.

Mike Ward

leave well enough alone.

81pilot

They were lighter that is about it. They don't flow much better than the cast iron ones, they are just too small. Headers are a big improvement over them, especially if a high low cat is added. But you can feel the diffeerence when you swap to headers from the tubular exhaust manifolds.

Shark Racer

GM probably has a few better offerings up its sleeve.

Why not go with dual exhaust with dual cats?

540 vette

Do what you want. Get some headers and a true dual exhaust. You will notice the difference.

texas jim

if the air tubes on the factory headers are welded shut, do you think he still has a cat. converter on it? And w/ the intake and carb instead of the injection?
Long Tube Headers ARE alot better, and IMO, well worth it.

terry82

you will gain some.not as much as you hope for .if you have more hp the more they will help you.if your not much over stock you wont gain much.the debate on headers has gone on for ever.do a search here and make up your on mind .i still have my factory headers with a open cat .duel exhaust from the factory headers all the way back would be a better improvement.

daanbc

What you have are basically factory headers. The california cars came with them. Place a true dual exhaust on them and your good to go. You may get a little more HP from long tube headers, but you have to way the cost. It's up to you.

LastC3AZ

The Tri-Ys have bigger tubes ... you'll want all the help you can get the help your motor breath ..... and they'll help with low end torque as well ...
I did wrap my plug wires and used the small starter as well .... you'll have some over heat issues with the stock starter when adding headers .....
Good investment IMO !!!