Affordable LS swap headers?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Affordable LS swap headers?
I’m doing an LS1/T56 swap into my ’81 and I’m searching for headers. Was originally looking for long tubes to maximize flow, but I’m realizing they’re all $1000+. I don’t mind spending money where needed, but I’d rather not give up my first born in exchange for car parts 😂🤣
What headers will fit without breaking the bank? There seems to be tons of options out there, but I don’t just want to buy something, only to realize it’s bumping into the power steering (I’m using OEM, not Bergeron).
I’m open to mid-lengths, but I’d like to stay away from shorties if possible.
I found these Hedman 45940 on JEGS, but can’t find much info on them here. Anyone know anything about them?
What headers will fit without breaking the bank? There seems to be tons of options out there, but I don’t just want to buy something, only to realize it’s bumping into the power steering (I’m using OEM, not Bergeron).
I’m open to mid-lengths, but I’d like to stay away from shorties if possible.
I found these Hedman 45940 on JEGS, but can’t find much info on them here. Anyone know anything about them?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 685
On my last couple of LS swaps I've used Speed Engineering SS full length headers. Yeah they are China made. About $300 a set. My current 80 Camaro project has a LS3. I used the Speed Engineering 1 3/4" fit well and don't leak. Don't know if the fit a C3.
I would love to use made in the USA headers but I just can't afford them.
I would love to use made in the USA headers but I just can't afford them.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
On my last couple of LS swaps I've used Speed Engineering SS full length headers. Yeah they are China made. About $300 a set. My current 80 Camaro project has a LS3. I used the Speed Engineering 1 3/4" fit well and don't leak. Don't know if the fit a C3.
I would love to use made in the USA headers but I just can't afford them.
I would love to use made in the USA headers but I just can't afford them.
Is the general approach here just trial and error? Pick something you think will fit and give it a shot?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 685
Just over on the Speed Engineering site. No specific header for a C3 LS swap.
What steering do you have? Stock assembly or Borg swap?
The 80 Camaro mid length headers look like they could work but it looks like they don't have an O2 sensor bung. Not a big deal.
What steering do you have? Stock assembly or Borg swap?
The 80 Camaro mid length headers look like they could work but it looks like they don't have an O2 sensor bung. Not a big deal.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Do I NEED an O2 sensor? Will I have to install that bung myself, or could I just forego it?
Also, when you say it “looks like it could work”, what exactly are you seeing that’s telling you that? Would be good for me to know what to look out for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,622
Likes: 2,082
From: Minnesota
From my searches online it seems that anything midlength or longer won’t fit in a C3 without at least some minor modifications. Anything that will fit perfectly will come at a premium.
Unless you insist on having headers I would give the manifolds shown earlier in the thread a good consideration. They flow pretty well for being a stock looking piece, and should fit without issue.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Unless you plan on using a carburetor on your LS engine, you will need a mount for an O2 sensor.
From my searches online it seems that anything midlength or longer won’t fit in a C3 without at least some minor modifications. Anything that will fit perfectly will come at a premium.
Unless you insist on having headers I would give the manifolds shown earlier in the thread a good consideration. They flow pretty well for being a stock looking piece, and should fit without issue.
From my searches online it seems that anything midlength or longer won’t fit in a C3 without at least some minor modifications. Anything that will fit perfectly will come at a premium.
Unless you insist on having headers I would give the manifolds shown earlier in the thread a good consideration. They flow pretty well for being a stock looking piece, and should fit without issue.
We’ll see I guess.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 685
On my 80 Camaro LS3 swap with the Speed Engineering long tubes I had to ding the floor pan a bit for O2 sensor clearance. But the good thing is the bottom of the headers is slightly above the bottom of the subframe.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
This is a nightmare 🤦🏻♂️
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,678
Likes: 1,363
rabinaba
No nightmare. See here for a beautacious exhaust: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604898317
No nightmare. See here for a beautacious exhaust: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604898317
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,880
Likes: 4,468
From: Virginia
Sidepipes are the answer to the 81 floor pan. Or an 80 floor pan swap.
I picked up a set of LS7 manifolds for my LS6 swap. Not headers, but should still flow well enough, and tgey were cheap! @cagotzmann has them installed in his LS3 swap thread.
If you want to allow for a Z-bar clutch, your options may be more limited.
I picked up a set of LS7 manifolds for my LS6 swap. Not headers, but should still flow well enough, and tgey were cheap! @cagotzmann has them installed in his LS3 swap thread.
If you want to allow for a Z-bar clutch, your options may be more limited.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Sidepipes are the answer to the 81 floor pan. Or an 80 floor pan swap.
I picked up a set of LS7 manifolds for my LS6 swap. Not headers, but should still flow well enough, and tgey were cheap! @cagotzmann has them installed in his LS3 swap thread.
If you want to allow for a Z-bar clutch, your options may be more limited.
I picked up a set of LS7 manifolds for my LS6 swap. Not headers, but should still flow well enough, and tgey were cheap! @cagotzmann has them installed in his LS3 swap thread.
If you want to allow for a Z-bar clutch, your options may be more limited.
Re: floor pan - yeah I might just rip out the floor pan and put a standard one in. I really don’t want to go the side pipes route, unfortunately.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,880
Likes: 4,468
From: Virginia
The Billy Boat headers do fit with the Z-bar (there was a thread on this). But they may not be as long-tube as you want, and they are NOT cheap.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
rabinaba
No nightmare. See here for a beautacious exhaust: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604898317
No nightmare. See here for a beautacious exhaust: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1604898317
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 376
Likes: 57
Which brings up a good question - how to mid-lengths fit?
At this point, it’s sounding like I’m either going to have to go mid-length or shortys. I really didn’t want to do that, but I guess it’ll help tone down the chop from my cam, which is good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,678
Likes: 1,363
rabinaba
Yep. I think those pass-under tranny crossmembers are the hot ticket for exhaust issues. I don't even have a 81-82 but MattoonVette addressed the exhaust issue for the folks imagining nightmares for a non-problem.
I found that link when looking for solutions to the fatter (than a Manual) 200-4R that I installed. Pass-under allowing moving the exhaust a little bit more away from the tranny makes it easy....and the exhaust is straighter.....and it's a lot easier to remove....and I was able to weld the exhaust sections(less chance of leakage) such that it now drops down and out of the way a lot easier.
Yep. I think those pass-under tranny crossmembers are the hot ticket for exhaust issues. I don't even have a 81-82 but MattoonVette addressed the exhaust issue for the folks imagining nightmares for a non-problem.
I found that link when looking for solutions to the fatter (than a Manual) 200-4R that I installed. Pass-under allowing moving the exhaust a little bit more away from the tranny makes it easy....and the exhaust is straighter.....and it's a lot easier to remove....and I was able to weld the exhaust sections(less chance of leakage) such that it now drops down and out of the way a lot easier.