I ordered the 1 7/8" with connection pipes from American Racing Headers.

I was going to provide a detailed summary, but since it was sooo easy, I'll just post pics and comment when necessary.

First, the old tri-y headers. Small tube 1 5/8". They look fairly restrictive, particularly since I have a 415ci CNC Motorsports 550hp SBC.




Here's a comparison pic of the new headers and the old:





No real collector on the Tri-Y's.

And, here's a good pic of the old collector:







NOTE: Removing the old headers was unbelievably easy. The passenger side literally was pulled out the top in 10 minutes after starting.

Installed passenger side:




Installing the passenger side was easy, just took a little manipulating to get it in place. 12 point header studs were used.

Driver's side installed:





Zero clearance issues, new plugs installed.

Here's a "gotcha". I was using a K&N 3002 tall filter, but the collector is in the way.





Tall oil filter won't work.

So, I replaced with the shorter 2002:





Perfecto!

Finally, zero ground clearance issues too:





Headers are actually above the oil pan.

All I can say is this was the easiest header install I've ever done. I have the Borg power steering, so that might have helped. I did not have to remove the starter or even oil filter for the install (not counting having to replace the oil filter because of collector clearance issues explained above). The only thing in the way was the Z Bar, and that was easy.

 

Looks great! Where did you order from? I don't see them on the website.....

 

https://americanracingheaders.com/Pr...%2c13%2c3%2c22

 

Ok you have my attention….those look great but pricy like everything of high quality. The builder of my 355 short block has been talking to me about ARH since last spring for my L-82 355 I just built. I have had the McJacks shorty's for about 10 years and reused them on the rebuild and I know I am giving up lots of HP versus the LTH's but was most concerned about the engine and road clearance issues which you seem to have solved other than the oil filter issue-I use a Truck Mobil 1 filter and have for years now. The only issue I have with the McJacks on the AFR 180 heads is that plug #3 is against the header pipe and #5 and #4/6 are VERY close. I use the Accel 9000 ceramic boot wires-AWESOME-BTW-can withstand 2,000 F-direct contact with no effect. I have a number of questions?

1. Which size for my 355 L-82 4speed 3.70 gears-Howards Roller cam-,525/.525, 219/225 duration with the AFR 180 heads-1 5/8 or 1 3/4-leaning to 1 3/4…..

2. Collector-Straight or leak free ball socket? I have OEM 2.5 true duals that would have to be cut and fitted to LTH.

3. Can you tell a difference in power between the Tri Y and the ARH? BTW-Thanks for the offer on the TRI Y's a while back.

4. The road clearance picture is blurry. How much higher are the collectors from the oil pan and your oil pan does not look stock, correct?

Thanks so much!

 

Nice. They even make LS swap headers for the C3 in two different sizes.

 

I think Im going to put a set of these on my 63. They look awesome.

JBL, I think You want 1.75" primaries with your setup. Thats what Ill be using on my 383.
The nice thing about the ARH too, is that they come with the connection pipes to mate up to your factory system at the crossmember. Ive got to sawzall my welded system out anyway just to get to the drain on my RS500, so i may as well do a complete new system with MagnaFlows.

 

Hey AirBus....what heads are you running BTW...?

 

1. Probably 1 5/8, considering your cubes and power level. However, you could use 1 3/4, which would move your torque peak up a bit.

2. With the ball socket connection, the connecting pipe doesn't have to line up perfectly, making it a little easier to connect (when you are lying on your back under your car, every little bit helps).

3. I did finish hooking the passenger side connection, had to leave for work. I will report back next week my driving impressions.

4. It's a Kevko road race pan, 7 inches deep. I'd say the headers are 1" to 2" above the bottom of the pan. I'll take a pic from the side when I get back.

 

Air Flow Research.

 

Thanks

Yikes! You are probably correct about the 1 3/4's moving the torque curve and probably better suited to a 383 than a 355 with AFR's. Probs going with the 1 5/8's-I will talk with my builder of the short block who is the man when it comes to SBC's….He has been telling me about ARH's since last Spring…..

 

AirBus - your drain plug is on the passenger side, correct? How is clearance there?

How about clearance between the idler arm and header primaries?

Clearance in both places look excellent from the photos.

I'm running hedman 68301s right now and will have to drop the pan and add a drain plug on the driver's side in order to do my first oil change. I'm also running a Kevko pan.

 

Going by memory, but there is plenty of clearance for the oil drain plug and idler arm.

I'll take more pics next week when I get back.

 

Excellent! Cant wait to order these next week!

 

Here's a side view of the headers. Shows they are above my aftermarket oil pan. Zero ground clearance issues.

The car feels like it's 300lbs lighter.

Unfortunately, it threw the alternator belt and overheated. Not sure why it threw the belt, but after 3 trips to AutoZone, I finally got a belt that will fit. Installed, and all seems fine.

 

Sweet! Let me know if you have any issues.

 

Power difference between ARH and the Tri Y's?

 

Hard to guess on the power increase, it's just faster. Even part throttle, it's just breathing easier. And it's sounds deeper. Forced to guess, I'd say 30hp easy. Maybe more.

 

Ugh, so tempting. Did you have pics on the drain plug and idler?

Thanks so much, I've not been tempted to swap headers this bad in a long time. I think this is the best fitting set I've seen for a SBC.

 

Thanks. I am seriously thinking of biting the bullet on these headers….What kind of mufflers do you have? I have Monza Turbos but they are not 100% straight through mufflers like the magna flows on my mustang GT convertible which are not too loud (but 4 high flow cats).

 

They definitely change the tone (for the better). I have Magnaflow.

DO IT!