header swap questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
header swap questions
I have a cracked manifold on passenger side of car, I'm thinking I may throw some headers on it and mate to the oe exhaust.
1) how are the OBX headers as far as quality and fitment on LT1?
2) will I be able to retain the factory resonator?
3) any recommendations on getting the existing bolts out of the heads?
1) how are the OBX headers as far as quality and fitment on LT1?
2) will I be able to retain the factory resonator?
3) any recommendations on getting the existing bolts out of the heads?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 3
From: Orchard Park NY
Good call... I would never waste time replacing with OEM manifold crap. Headers are a great move.
I've heard good things about the OBX stuff, but have no personal experience.
Try heating up the OE bolts in the heads.. hopeufully they back out. GM has a thing with making sucky manifold bolts for some reason.
I've heard good things about the OBX stuff, but have no personal experience.
Try heating up the OE bolts in the heads.. hopeufully they back out. GM has a thing with making sucky manifold bolts for some reason.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
Good call... I would never waste time replacing with OEM manifold crap. Headers are a great move.
I've heard good things about the OBX stuff, but have no personal experience.
Try heating up the OE bolts in the heads.. hopeufully they back out. GM has a thing with making sucky manifold bolts for some reason.
I've heard good things about the OBX stuff, but have no personal experience.
Try heating up the OE bolts in the heads.. hopeufully they back out. GM has a thing with making sucky manifold bolts for some reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 3
From: Orchard Park NY
My '04 2500hd had the same exact problem. Gaskets blew out... manifold bolts broke off at the head. Real ugly situation. First it was only the drivers side. Fixed that, then this winter the pass-side started going in the real cold. When its warmer out the pass side cant be heard, thankfully.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Dont know about the obx headers, but I suspect they would be fine based on other post about them. I used exotic muscle headers, but if I was doing it again on a stock motor or one with heads cam package, I would try the obx headers being they are stainless and price is good. The only downside I know of would possibably be the 1&5/8 tubes verses 1&3/4 for a bigger motor.
But back to using the stock exhaust. What I did was use a 3in pipe, slid it up over the collector and used a band type clamp to seal it. I then extended the 3in. pipe to the orig. 2&3/4 pipe, used adapters and weld to seal. It basically lines up. Not pretty but it cant be seen unless you are under the car.
BTW do you need emission inspection? Its the cats that get eliminated with LT headers. Its possible to install bullet cats where your resonator is now located if needed.
But back to using the stock exhaust. What I did was use a 3in pipe, slid it up over the collector and used a band type clamp to seal it. I then extended the 3in. pipe to the orig. 2&3/4 pipe, used adapters and weld to seal. It basically lines up. Not pretty but it cant be seen unless you are under the car.
BTW do you need emission inspection? Its the cats that get eliminated with LT headers. Its possible to install bullet cats where your resonator is now located if needed.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Plenty of past posts about them
Be prepared to do a little work on brackets etc ; not a bolt on and drive off job
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578105450-post1.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...rs-thread.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...uy-unless.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1584033902-post9.html
Be prepared to do a little work on brackets etc ; not a bolt on and drive off job
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578105450-post1.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...rs-thread.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...uy-unless.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1584033902-post9.html
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 668
Likes: 38
From: Austin TX
Some complaints in those posts include the compressor support bracket and the issue of wanting to reuse the factory header bolts like the TPIS headers do.
Instead of building another ac compressor support bracket, just build a spacer with steel tubing and run the long bolt through it. Same thing with the header factory header bolts. Couldn't you make spacers for that as well? Maybe out of some shiny stainless tubing.
Instead of building another ac compressor support bracket, just build a spacer with steel tubing and run the long bolt through it. Same thing with the header factory header bolts. Couldn't you make spacers for that as well? Maybe out of some shiny stainless tubing.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Yukon OK
I ordered myspacers from AluminumSpacers.com or you can use napa part #600-3236 exhaust studs and stn-110x brass nuts for your support brackets. but the spacers ended up looking alot nicer on the car. And take alook at ARH steped headers they are very nice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
I'm sure the ARH's are very nice. but they are a bit out of my price range.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 7
From: Fort Ripley Minnesota
[QUOTE=eatmydst1234;1585871772]I have a cracked manifold on passenger side of car, I'm thinking I may throw some headers on it and mate to the oe exhaust.
1) how are the OBX headers as far as quality and fitment on LT1?
2) will I be able to retain the factory reson[ATTACH][47758293[/ATTACH]
[/ATTACH]ator?
3) any recommendations on getting the existing bolts out of the heads?
I installed a set of TPIS long tube headers on my 90 VETT, with o2 sensor port and a Y-pipe that runs back to the CAT (if you chose to run one). They install easily with ample room for the starter etc, keep in mind the frame angle support brackets will need to be cut to allow proper clearance [ATTACH][47758293 [ATTACH]47758294
1) how are the OBX headers as far as quality and fitment on LT1?
2) will I be able to retain the factory reson[ATTACH][47758293[/ATTACH]
[/ATTACH]ator? 3) any recommendations on getting the existing bolts out of the heads?
I installed a set of TPIS long tube headers on my 90 VETT, with o2 sensor port and a Y-pipe that runs back to the CAT (if you chose to run one). They install easily with ample room for the starter etc, keep in mind the frame angle support brackets will need to be cut to allow proper clearance [ATTACH][47758293 [ATTACH]47758294
