Headers vs. Ram's Horns
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,925
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From: Paradise City
Headers vs. Ram's Horns
I was wondering how much power I would get by swapping to a set of headers. It seems to me that our "ram's horns" manifolds seem to look more efficient than most exhaust manifolds (kinda reminds me of block huggers headers?). Anyhow, I've got a true dual exhaust system (w/ no crossover pipe :rolleyes: ) and was wondering if I'd get any benefit to doing this mod. Thanks guys!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (79Corvette02)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (79Corvette02)
Ram's Horn exhaust are pretty good as far as cast iron manifolds go, but they still are restrictive and rob an engine of potential power. Full length headers are the best and cheapest horsepower add on out there.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
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From: Republic of Texas
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (Smokehouse69)
When I swapped headers on my '91 C4 I couldn't believe how restricive they were campared to the ram horns I took off my '68. For stock manifold and are pretty darn good. :yesnod:
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 683
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From: Calgary
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (79Corvette02)
According to David Vizard (engine builder and author), ported ram's horn manifolds can provide up to 2/3 of the benefits of 1 5/8 long tube headers. They'll seal better, look stock, and be quieter too.
He mentioned a shop (brzezinsky racing) that does this porting for about the cost of a set of cheap headers. He also mentioned that this work can be done at home with a die grinder and carbide bit. Most of the benefit is from port matching the head gasket, smoothing out casting irregularities, and enlarging the ports as much as possible without weakening the metal itself.
If your engine is 350 or less hp, very little hp should be lost with ported rams horns. Above 350 hp, headers are almost mandatory.
He mentioned a shop (brzezinsky racing) that does this porting for about the cost of a set of cheap headers. He also mentioned that this work can be done at home with a die grinder and carbide bit. Most of the benefit is from port matching the head gasket, smoothing out casting irregularities, and enlarging the ports as much as possible without weakening the metal itself.
If your engine is 350 or less hp, very little hp should be lost with ported rams horns. Above 350 hp, headers are almost mandatory.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (79Corvette02)
Both sb ram's horn & Corvette bb manifolds are good for manifolds.
Add a crossover pipe. If you want manifolds., run more ex. dur. on the cam.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ganeyexhaust.htm
High rpm & low gears- Headers rec.!
:cool:
Add a crossover pipe. If you want manifolds., run more ex. dur. on the cam.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ganeyexhaust.htm
High rpm & low gears- Headers rec.!
:cool:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
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From: CO
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (79Corvette02)
Its a pretty big expense to upgrade to headers.
Just think. I would have to buy the headers and another CAT plus the pipes to connect it. Then I would have to pay someone at an exhaust shop to put it all together. It would actually cost alot for that HP.
I think its an improvement but its still costly.
Just think. I would have to buy the headers and another CAT plus the pipes to connect it. Then I would have to pay someone at an exhaust shop to put it all together. It would actually cost alot for that HP.
I think its an improvement but its still costly.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (flood)
Who says you need another cat? Your exhaust manifolds start out as two pipes as well. Maybe you'd have to have a new y-pipe done, but doubtful. They could cut the stock pipe and weld it to the tips of the headers. Cost of headers + ~$20-30.
-Steve
-Steve
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Western Texas
Re: Headers vs. Ram's Horns (Pacin'California)
I am presently making some modifications with new intake, cam, and head work (stock 882's). I've ported and cleaned the stock cast iron manifolds and they look pretty darn good. Probably not as efficient as headers but better than they were.
Because of past experiences (bad) with headers, I believe I will stick with the rams-horns.
Because of past experiences (bad) with headers, I believe I will stick with the rams-horns.
