Header advice
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
Header advice
Hello, need header advice for my 383 '86.(dart pro 1 heads, straight plug) My builder thinks I should stay w/ my original exhaust manifolds. He seems to think they breathe just fine. I look at them and they seem restrictive.
Opinions on this debate would be greatly appreciated.
Also, my stock exhaust pipes seem quite small.. maybe 2 1/4 " ?
I'm having the cat removed and true dual exhaust run back to the mufflers. Should I convert to larger sized pipes? 3"?
If I go w/ headers, opinions and recommendations wanted and welcome.
Thanks again for the advice.
Steve
Opinions on this debate would be greatly appreciated.
Also, my stock exhaust pipes seem quite small.. maybe 2 1/4 " ?
I'm having the cat removed and true dual exhaust run back to the mufflers. Should I convert to larger sized pipes? 3"?
If I go w/ headers, opinions and recommendations wanted and welcome.
Thanks again for the advice.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
I would Definitely recommend Headers on that beast. On my '89 L98, I had hooker 2149's I really Liked them. I just ordered Exotic Muscle Headers for my LT4. They are really nice peices. If I had a L98 still I'd get The Hookers, solely on Price.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 32
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by AZC4Guy
If I go w/ headers, opinions and recommendations wanted and welcome.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,723
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
He's full of it, you can get huge gains from going to full headers on that machine. The exhaust manifold ports are miniscule in comparison.
I dont know how well the Hookers fit the dart straight plug heads though, you'll have to ask that question specifically in another thread if you dont get it here.
Stock size is 2.25" on L98s, it needs at least 2.5"-3", but not bigger than that. You do want the exhaust pipes to slightly decrease in diameter as they move along, so if the collector on the headers is 3", you should try a 2.75" pipe from then on. (maintaining exhaust gas velocity as it cools is desirable)
I dont know how well the Hookers fit the dart straight plug heads though, you'll have to ask that question specifically in another thread if you dont get it here.
Stock size is 2.25" on L98s, it needs at least 2.5"-3", but not bigger than that. You do want the exhaust pipes to slightly decrease in diameter as they move along, so if the collector on the headers is 3", you should try a 2.75" pipe from then on. (maintaining exhaust gas velocity as it cools is desirable)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Steve,
I think there are a couple of things to look at here.
FIRST make sure any header you buy is made for straight plug heads. You don't want to have the pipes hitting plugs. This kills plug wires and it's a pain to change plugs.
Second, AZ emissions shouldn't be too bad on an 86. Just have bullet cats put in the dual and get "test pipes" to replace the cats for the strip. You should be fine.
Also remember that having pipes too big is like taking medicine when you're well. With true duals and headers you shouldn't need anything bigger than 2½" pipe. I have a Corsa set on my LT4 and the same pipes fit a ZR1 and they supply 2½".
I think there are a couple of things to look at here.
FIRST make sure any header you buy is made for straight plug heads. You don't want to have the pipes hitting plugs. This kills plug wires and it's a pain to change plugs.
Second, AZ emissions shouldn't be too bad on an 86. Just have bullet cats put in the dual and get "test pipes" to replace the cats for the strip. You should be fine.
Also remember that having pipes too big is like taking medicine when you're well. With true duals and headers you shouldn't need anything bigger than 2½" pipe. I have a Corsa set on my LT4 and the same pipes fit a ZR1 and they supply 2½".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by AZC4Guy
Lichen, one can easily bypass this by getting a PO box is a rural area hwere there are no emissions requirements. Casa Grande for example.
Any header recommendations?
Any header recommendations?
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Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Yes, you'll certainly realize great benefit from headers on that machine. Your builder's advice would make me leary of any other advice he might have provided along the way. I'd post here and/or in the engine mods section seeking advice on what headers work best with straight plug heads. For practicality's sake, that will probably be your most pertinent criteria in header selection.
with everything that's been said. I sure hope he knows more about building motors than he knows about exhaust.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
with everything that's been said. I sure hope he knows more about building motors than he knows about exhaust.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
Interesting. I thought that you had to have an actual street address to register a vehicle. I have Exotic Muscle headers, but mine's an LT1.
Edit: I haven't had to use it yet as my car was registered right before I tore it down. The downside is that all your vehicles registration will go to the addy you list.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
Thanks everyone for your excellent advice. I decided to go w/ the Hooker 2151-1's. I was going to install them today but for some inexplicable reason Summitt sent me 2134's..... now Tuesday is the day.
Thanks again, everyone.
Steve
Thanks again, everyone.
Steve