When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi there. I have a 76 l48 with a 350 and a/c. I am currently working on a few upgrades and currently have the motor out. I am almost done with the Borgeson conversion. I am also installing a new cam, heads, carb etc. My question is if anyone knows which headers will work with the factory a/c. I see that there is not a lot of clearance with the exhaust manifold. Wondering if anyone knows which headers will fit. Thanks.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Whichever you find that fit, spend the extra money to get ceramic coating...its incredible. I dont have A/C so I cant help you there. Depending on how the mount is you may have to buy a bracket. On my 327 ramshorns the alternator bracket was tied into the exhaust manifold and I went with later year front of the head mounts to solve that issue. If your A/C bracket is front of the head then you may not have to worry about anything other than heat, that is why I suggest ceramic coated!!
Whichever you find that fit, spend the extra money to get ceramic coating...its incredible. I dont have A/C so I cant help you there. Depending on how the mount is you may have to buy a bracket. On my 327 ramshorns the alternator bracket was tied into the exhaust manifold and I went with later year front of the head mounts to solve that issue. If your A/C bracket is front of the head then you may not have to worry about anything other than heat, that is why I suggest ceramic coated!!
If your close to Montana I have a set of hooker long tubes that I ceramic coated with Eastman's inside and out sitting in my shed . The hookers will work fine, but you need to have the shipping paint blasted and coat them. I opted to have them blasted and coated them myself, but the my local sand blaster offered a baked ceramic coating also. The AC mount change is just a spaced since the header is thinner than the factory exhaust manifold. Headers do generate more underhood heat than the stock exhaust so I would coat the inside with ceramic to help with that.
I have had awesome results using HEDMAN Hedders on two Corvettes. They fit like a glove on a small block and as well on my Big Block and there was absolutely no need to break out the hammer to reshape the pipes. I have heard so many horror stories about header bolts loosening and flanges warping but have never had ANY problems with my Hedman headers. I put them on and never had to touch them. It is too bad they don't let you test fit the headers before applying the ceramic coating so we get the best results.
If you have a rebuilt or new engine they recommend that you don't use the coated headers until the engine is broken in properly. The extra heat caused by the closer tolerances can damage the coatings. Using coated headers on High Compression engines can be a problem as most of the standard coatings are of a lower temperature rating, for High compression engines they make higher temperature coatings which will not be damaged by the extra heat. I have a higher compression engine and the first 4-6" of tubes have been discolored by the extra heat.
When I need to replace them I will have them coated with the same material they use on NASCAR and other race cars, it can be done but costs a bit more. I will order a bare set of headers and check the fitting and then get them coated so I don't loose the pretty looks of the silver ceramic coatings. It might take bit longer but it would be worth it.
The best way to get a long lasting coating on a tough application is to order the pipes "Bare" with no coatings or paint and then have them sand blasted and coated right away with a higher quality or higher temperature coating. If you order them bare you can them apply your own coatings if that is the route you want to take.
Here’s a pic of the clearance with Stan’s tri-y headers on a 78. Peel and stick insulation used on AC box to keep it cooler. Unfortunately these headers are now $1k more expensive than they were 10 yrs ago. These clear Borgeson as well. Mounting studs and Remflex gaskets for best seal.
Here’s a pic of the clearance with Stan’s tri-y headers on a 78. Peel and stick insulation used on AC box to keep it cooler. Unfortunately these headers are now $1k more expensive than they were 10 yrs ago. These clear Borgeson as well. Mounting studs and Remflex gaskets for best seal.
Don't know how much of a difference the l48 you have to the l48 I have in my 1980. But I am using some ceramic coated Flotech Headers in my car. I believe they are made by Holley. They are pretty good headers, although I am still going to take them off again and wrap them with some of that Heat Tape by DEI. My car's engine compartment does run pretty hot. Consequently, I installed a pair of spal fans which have fixed the problem but are very noisy when they turn on.
Don't know how much of a difference the l48 you have to the l48 I have in my 1980. But I am using some ceramic coated Flotech Headers in my car. I believe they are made by Holley. They are pretty good headers, although I am still going to take them off again and wrap them with some of that Heat Tape by DEI. My car's engine compartment does run pretty hot. Consequently, I installed a pair of spal fans which have fixed the problem but are very noisy when they turn on.
Recommendations for headers
. The hookers will work fine, but you need to have the shipping paint blasted and coat them. I opted to have them blasted and coated them myself, but the my local sand blaster offered a baked ceramic coating also. The AC mount change is just a spaced since the header is thinner than the factory exhaust manifold. Headers do generate more underhood heat than the stock exhaust so I would coat the inside with ceramic to help with that.
