Springer's LT4

At what point do headers become a needed over say a cat-less system with power effects exhaust? If I keep my 86 and build the top end of the motor (AFR heads, cam, intake) will headers be needed on that type of motor work or would ported stock manifolds with no cats be sufficent?

Thx

Jim

Springer's LT4

ttt

Springer's LT4

anyone? Will I be killing the motor with stock manifolds?

gbody5

They wont hurt that is for sure. I know the AFR heads breath pretty well and porting will help. You can always do the intake side first, then see how it dyno's out and try headers later.

Don't know of the specific point where headers are a must, but they can sometimes actually hurt on normally aspirated engines where some backpressure is needed.

My .02

GRX

In my opinion stick with the stock shorty headers. Get a die-grinder and remove weld slag from the inside and port match them to the heads. In essence, make them very efficient. With full length headers, you get pulse noise, unwanted underhood hot air and alot of inconvenience...not to mention expense. Corvettes are pretty cramped in the engine compartment already. You might want to 'wrap' the exhaust to make it more efficient. Remember that the hotter the gas pulse, the faster it travels through the pipe. Retain the stock heat shields too. Make the exhaust system as efficient as possible....maybe a custom front Y pipe that has better geometry at the bends...especially where both legs meet into the cat. Good luck!


[Modified by GRX, 7:28 PM 9/14/2001]