bolt on headers w/no mods-
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
bolt on headers w/no mods-
Hey All. I upgraded to flowmaster 40 series earlier in the year along w/ a higher performance magnaflow cat. I'm pretty satisfied w/ the sound and am now ready to upgrade to headers. I need advise on brand/type that will bolt on w/out modifications. I have 78 L82 4spd w/ AC. i'm open on the price and would consider ceramic; chrome or no chrome, doesn't matter. I really want to get these original exhaust manifolds over to the recycle center 
. Recommendations are appreciated!
. Recommendations are appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Sorry, but you can't get real headers that just bolt up to your present exhaust. Your present exhaust comes almost all the way up to the engine, headers come down and back farther. You have to cut the exhaust pipe, and attach a flange that will connect to the header collector. The easiest way to do it is to just let a muffler shop handle it.
Here is a link to a set of inexpensive headers that I have heard good reviews of here on this forum:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Here is a link to a set of inexpensive headers that I have heard good reviews of here on this forum:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
I guess I should have clarified Scott. I want to make sure the headers fit correctly inside the engine compartment w/out improperly hitting against anything, and to make sure the header lengths are proper and don't hang down too low to the ground. Im ok w/ having to make adjustments to connect into the rest of the exhaust.
And to cuisinartvette; good idea on holding onto the old parts.
Anyone else have suggestions for the header type/style?
And to cuisinartvette; good idea on holding onto the old parts.
Anyone else have suggestions for the header type/style?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I guess I should have clarified Scott. I want to make sure the headers fit correctly inside the engine compartment w/out improperly hitting against anything, and to make sure the header lengths are proper and don't hang down too low to the ground. Im ok w/ having to make adjustments to connect into the rest of the exhaust.
And to cuisinartvette; good idea on holding onto the old parts.
Anyone else have suggestions for the header type/style?
And to cuisinartvette; good idea on holding onto the old parts.
Anyone else have suggestions for the header type/style?
The headers I gave you a link to are the least expensive headers I have been able to find. I haven't bought a set yet, but plan too in the near future, and I have heard several people say they fit with no problems, and work well. Haven't heard anything bad about them at all.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
MacJacks
Have a look at MacJacks ... I have their shorties on my modded BBC. I only gave up 15 HP, on a 500+ hp motor. They fit nice, are copper coated on the inside (I think) and coated on the outside as well. The run cool, fit the exhaust in the stock location as well. If I want to go back with the old manifolds it is plug and play!
They are expensive, but in my experience, cheap headers are ... well just plain cheap!
carbster
They are expensive, but in my experience, cheap headers are ... well just plain cheap!
carbster
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I love hookers!!!
They fit my 350s just fine. (fitting them in the frame of a '54 vette was another story).
You may want to research LENGTH of headers as well. IF i remember correctly, short tube headers provide better top end response, and long tube headers help provide better low end torque. The could be the other way around... its been around 3 years since i looked it up.
I have long tubes on my wife's '54 and I did have them on the '79 that was stolen out of my driveway. Never have had any problems with them being to low.
To add: i know my '79 had holes that were for the exhaust to run the length of the car, and i would guess that your '78 should have something similar, so exhaust hitting should not be a concern.
They fit my 350s just fine. (fitting them in the frame of a '54 vette was another story).
You may want to research LENGTH of headers as well. IF i remember correctly, short tube headers provide better top end response, and long tube headers help provide better low end torque. The could be the other way around... its been around 3 years since i looked it up.
I have long tubes on my wife's '54 and I did have them on the '79 that was stolen out of my driveway. Never have had any problems with them being to low.
To add: i know my '79 had holes that were for the exhaust to run the length of the car, and i would guess that your '78 should have something similar, so exhaust hitting should not be a concern.
Last edited by joshtried; Oct 10, 2012 at 11:25 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Pearland Tx
I have these and would buy again, 14 ga steel, 3/8 flange and ceramic coated. They fit my 79 auto with no problem.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-68308/
First set Summit shipped had some of the ceramic scratched off from rubbing together in the box. Summit had a second set shipped direct from Hedman and they were perfect. Great customer service.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-68308/
First set Summit shipped had some of the ceramic scratched off from rubbing together in the box. Summit had a second set shipped direct from Hedman and they were perfect. Great customer service.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 958
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have McJack's shorty headers for the past 6 years or so and love them. They hook up to a stock exhaust since they are dimensionally exactly the same as the OEM cast iron manifolds. I have had zero issues with them and the stock L-82 motor produced a high of 233 RWHP on the dyno with them and the 2.5 inch dual exhaust versus 220 NET when new or about 180 RWHP estimated when stock. They are pricey though. The engine makes better mid to high RPM power with them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,665
Likes: 194
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Pretty well known that long tube headers make more power, how much, don't know but seems that if you put on aftermarket parts for more power you want the most HP you can get. Can't help you with the exact headers as I spent 6 months having mine custom made to fit my Vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Lost 15 Hp on Long tubes vs MacJacks on my 489! I am happy with 496 HP so I kept the MacJacks, knowing that I can keep the exhaust in the stock location and if needed bolt up the old cast iron manifolds. 15Hp is not much at 5500 rpm!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Lost 15 Hp on Long tubes vs MacJacks on my 489! I am happy with 496 HP so I kept the MacJacks, knowing that I can keep the exhaust in the stock location and if needed bolt up the old cast iron manifolds. 15Hp is not much at 5500 rpm!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,665
Likes: 194
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Amen to that brother, if the shorty headers made more power you would see them at the dragstrip, this is a place where people want to make the most power so they can beat the guy in the other lane, take a look under any serious car at the track and see what headers they have if the shorties make more power I would expect to see most with them.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
I put these on my 69 small block after I rebuilt the engine http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-31106FLT/. I was really impressed with the fit and finish for the price, they are made by Holley. They sound great as well.
I was absolutely shocked how easy these went in. I literally put these in within 45 minutes by myself (note this was right after engine install with no existing exhaust or clutch zbar in the way). They required no clearancing and they fit the engine compartment perfectly. The only issue I ran into was the collector on the passenger side was slightly touching the metal splash cover for the floor board. A little trim on the splash pan with a sawzall and this was corrected.
Here is a video with my new engine idling with the headers. And by that I mean OPEN headers...
I was absolutely shocked how easy these went in. I literally put these in within 45 minutes by myself (note this was right after engine install with no existing exhaust or clutch zbar in the way). They required no clearancing and they fit the engine compartment perfectly. The only issue I ran into was the collector on the passenger side was slightly touching the metal splash cover for the floor board. A little trim on the splash pan with a sawzall and this was corrected.
Here is a video with my new engine idling with the headers. And by that I mean OPEN headers...
Last edited by Dkarr; Oct 12, 2012 at 09:39 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 958
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Some might find this discussion interesting:
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Some might find this discussion interesting:
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lynchburg VA
Some might find this discussion interesting:
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Lets-Get-Technical.html
Based on this performance information and my application purposes it seems like shorter headers are what I should be looking for. A couple people mentioned McJacks short headers so I'll check those out. Regardless of which header I choose am I going to have to get the A/C bracket? I haven't had a chance to look under the hood to see howthe A/C is bolted onto the original. I appreciate the responses, its helping me sort through my header quest.