Headers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 985
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Headers
I just purchased a 1981 Vette, original engine,and knew right off the bat that I was going to need a set of long tube headers,so ordered some stainless steel headers,waiting on them to arrive,but was surveying them today,and noticed I might have jumped the gun,because,I noticed there’s all kinds of lines running from the manifolds on both sides,I’m assuming some type of smog control,so how can you if possible to hook them up. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 429
Likes: 128
I just purchased a 1981 Vette, original engine,and knew right off the bat that I was going to need a set of long tube headers,so ordered some stainless steel headers,waiting on them to arrive,but was surveying them today,and noticed I might have jumped the gun,because,I noticed there’s all kinds of lines running from the manifolds on both sides,I’m assuming some type of smog control,so how can you if possible to hook them up. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,068
Likes: 7,681
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Yes, I looked at Mr. Puddings profile, doesn't say where he's from.
If you don't need to pass emissions. Start pulling all that unnecessary junk off of your engine. If you do have to pass emissions, well then, your sunk.
If you don't need to pass emissions. Start pulling all that unnecessary junk off of your engine. If you do have to pass emissions, well then, your sunk.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
I urge you to have the headers ceramic coated before install......this is almost necessary on a C3 Vette.....the amount of heat an uncoated header generates in a C3 engine compartment is staggering.....especially if the timing is not set correctly.
Jebby
Jebby
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,720
Likes: 1,625
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have had great experience with HEDMAN Headers as they fit both times I put them on without so much as a tap. They fit well on the 427 at least. The ceramic coating will make a big difference inside the engine compartment. I have the Hedmann headers in silver ceramic and they look sharp when new.
The header companies are now starting to warn people not to use ceramic coated pipes on engines while "breaking in" the engine as it can overheat the coating and cause it to fail prematurely. If you are using Higher compression in your engine then you might want to have the headers custom coated in the higher temperature resistant ceramic material. This is a lesson I learned painfully...
HOT pipes near fiberglass is a good way to burn the Corvette to the ground. Keep the air gaps big enough to prevent heat damage or searing the fiberglass. On my 1968 with it's 427 and 4 speed there is plenty of room around the pipes. I am however a big supporter of D.E.I. Heat protection sleeves.
The header companies are now starting to warn people not to use ceramic coated pipes on engines while "breaking in" the engine as it can overheat the coating and cause it to fail prematurely. If you are using Higher compression in your engine then you might want to have the headers custom coated in the higher temperature resistant ceramic material. This is a lesson I learned painfully...
HOT pipes near fiberglass is a good way to burn the Corvette to the ground. Keep the air gaps big enough to prevent heat damage or searing the fiberglass. On my 1968 with it's 427 and 4 speed there is plenty of room around the pipes. I am however a big supporter of D.E.I. Heat protection sleeves.
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
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From: Fairfax Virginia
Most of the emissions equipment is not required by the individual States, instead the Federal Government is responsible for that stuff. It is not against the law to remove or disable the equipment in Virginia but it is illegal to remove the emissions equipment by the Federal Government. Who has final say? I would be careful and not underestimate the power of the feds.
I keep my 2 Corvettes both "fully legal" to drive anytime by not having Antique license plates. Virginia is cracking down on cars with Antique Plates being used regularly. I also have both "Safety Inspected" as needed by the State of Virginia and my C4 needs and gets it's emissions tested every two years.
I LIKE having another set of eyes check my cars to be sure they are safe. I am a good enough mechanic but having another expert look it over is a good thing in my opinion. The emissions is more for diagnostic purposes as it shows if everything is working properly.
I keep my 2 Corvettes both "fully legal" to drive anytime by not having Antique license plates. Virginia is cracking down on cars with Antique Plates being used regularly. I also have both "Safety Inspected" as needed by the State of Virginia and my C4 needs and gets it's emissions tested every two years.
I LIKE having another set of eyes check my cars to be sure they are safe. I am a good enough mechanic but having another expert look it over is a good thing in my opinion. The emissions is more for diagnostic purposes as it shows if everything is working properly.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: central Florida
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 92
From: Buxton ME
Not the sparkling tech advice I'm used to from the C3 forum. It wasn't a brilliant question, but it looks like a lot of minor things get impacted when you swap out the manifolds for headers. I'll figure it out as the parts fly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
That's old news. The big thing lately seems to be "ghost guns". Personally, I don't get it. Why would a ghost even need a gun, anyway? I think the next big thing will be ending a sentence with a preposition.
Scotty
Scotty
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
I installed the sensors to determine if a CAI really would have significant gains for me and what Ive determined is the only time my intake air temps are higher than ambient is while and immediately after taking off from a standstill so while if I was racing that would be a big deal, for my spirited driving I find its not.
I have a temp sensor both in this air cleaner and down by the silver relay mounted in front of the heat exchanger.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Apr 28, 2022 at 11:16 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,423
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From: Little Rock AR
You toss the AIR pump, the valves, the trees and the Early Fuel Evaporator system hoses/switches. Ususlly you toss the Exhaust Gas Recirculator valve as well. The distributor and carb need to get recalibrated because you tossed the EGR. On an '81 you would need to replace the carb and distributor in order to do all that due to the computer. I don't know exactly what year you are working on but these are generally what people are doing to desmog their vettes.