I currently have a 69 with a small block with stock manifolds. The exit @ the manifold is 2" and the pipes are 2-1/2" with the N11 mufflers. It's a great system, but we are going to pull the stock engine & pickle it. We have a 383 being built and would like to upgrade the manifolds to shorty style. In the past on my 82 I used Patriot block hugger headers and they bolted to the existing pipes in the factory manifold locations. Can this be accomplished with the existing pipes. I really don't want to cut them to fit, would prefer a bolt in installation

 

I was looking for a set of short headers to exit as close as I could find to the factory manifold location, I had 1969 factory style chambered side pipes which bolt to stock manifolds but wanted headers... this was a close as I could find, I just cut the flanges off the pipes and welded directly to the header collectors, wasn't looking for performance just a better look from the top side and had limited options with side pipes.
the block huggers were too close to the engine block for me

 

malicatasr
IF YOU HAVE A MANUAL, then I have the 2.5" smoothie ramhorns in my 68 with the 64-65 FULL 2.5" downpipes, no neck-down to 2" at the manifold outlet. You could do that or get the 64-65 full 2.5" diameter downpipes .....

You can eyeball them here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598259107

 

Look up Sanderson Headers in South San Francisco, CA.
They have the best quality short tube headers on the market.
They’ve been manufacturing headers since the 1960’s under the same family at the same location.
Talk with the owner Donna she usually answers the phone.
She knows more about headers and can set you up with exactly what you’re looking for.
They can also make complete custom sets.
I’ve been buying their headers since the 70’s.

 

They might fit....but you are going to strangle that 383......
Use a 65' Rams Horn 2.5" exhaust manifold......and the mandrel bent Corvette Central 2.5" downpipes.....it will flow decent and look stock......the other problem is the stock mufflers are 2" outlet as well....and for the 383 too breathe proper they will need to be changed out to something else......
You may not notice it driving around....but it will not rev out near as well with factory equipment.....not to mention the N-11's are not that great for flow.....

Jebby

 

[

Thank you. I didn’t know about the 66 ram horns. Was also going to try something like a flowmaster I have 2 new borlas in the garage.



QUOTE=Jebbysan;1609411160]They might fit....but you are going to strangle that 383......
Use a 65' Rams Horn 2.5" exhaust manifold......and the mandrel bent Corvette Central 2.5" downpipes.....it will flow decent and look stock......the other problem is the stock mufflers are 2" outlet as well....and for the 383 too breathe proper they will need to be changed out to something else......
You may not notice it driving around....but it will not rev out near as well with factory equipment.....not to mention the N-11's are not that great for flow.....

Jebby[/QUOTE]

 

My opinion is either do long tubes or keep the stock ram horns.

 

We decided to go with Doug's ceramic coated side pipes. Thank you for everyone's input.

 

Be careful when using your new 383 engine and the "pretty" exhaust system during break-in.

Several of the Exhaust system companies using the Ceramic Chrome Coating might warn you that "discoloration" can occur on your nice new exhaust system from the excess heat of a break-in cycle. I have read warranties which have no coverage of the coating used during break-in's. You cook the pipes near the tops and the coating can fall off.

I run 12.25-1 Compression (427) and the top 5 inches of each of my pipes has burnt off the coating leaving u-g-l-y. The solution is to buy bare headers and have them coated separately after they were manufactured. Having spoken with several reps I know that there are different temperature levels for the various Ceramic Coatings. They coat the little NASCAR engine's exhaust systems and they look great after a race. The extra $ up-charge was less than a few hundred dollars. The aftermarket ceramic coatings are pretty good stuff when compared to the other options.

My next headers will be Purchased, Received, "Test-Fit", Boxed up and then Shipped to the Ceramic Coating Specialist. They will clean them off and coat them with your choice of coatings both inside and outside the pipes. Then the coating company will return them to me wrapped appropriately to protect the coatings. This way I know the parts I have will work before spending the money on the coatings and shouldn't have to use a hammer on them. I think you get a better coating when done by experts and I can order the higher temperature coating to eliminate any problems. It takes longer but not that much. My quote for coating a bare set of long tube headers was less than $500.

 

Thank you. Thinking about breaking the engine in on the manifolds then switching to the pipes. Hopefully that will keep then nice and new looking.


QUOTE=ctmccloskey;1609424135]Be careful when using your new 383 engine and the "pretty" exhaust system during break-in.

Several of the Exhaust system companies using the Ceramic Chrome Coating might warn you that "discoloration" can occur on your nice new exhaust system from the excess heat of a break-in cycle. I have read warranties which have no coverage of the coating used during break-in's. You cook the pipes near the tops and the coating can fall off.

I run 12.25-1 Compression (427) and the top 5 inches of each of my pipes has burnt off the coating leaving u-g-l-y. The solution is to buy bare headers and have them coated separately after they were manufactured. Having spoken with several reps I know that there are different temperature levels for the various Ceramic Coatings. They coat the little NASCAR engine's exhaust systems and they look great after a race. The extra $ up-charge was less than a few hundred dollars. The aftermarket ceramic coatings are pretty good stuff when compared to the other options.

My next headers will be Purchased, Received, "Test-Fit", Boxed up and then Shipped to the Ceramic Coating Specialist. They will clean them off and coat them with your choice of coatings both inside and outside the pipes. Then the coating company will return them to me wrapped appropriately to protect the coatings. This way I know the parts I have will work before spending the money on the coatings and shouldn't have to use a hammer on them. I think you get a better coating when done by experts and I can order the higher temperature coating to eliminate any problems. It takes longer but not that much. My quote for coating a bare set of long tube headers was less than $500.[/QUOTE]