steven mack

Does anybody know of any after market shorty headers that will fit an 87 Vette.I am looking for a set that will give me better spark plug wire clearance.I have straight plug heads.Thanks,Steve

Silver85

I don't know that too many shortys were made for the L98 since the factory manifold is pretty close to being shortys.

steven mack

The factory ones work with the angled spark plugs. But I have aftermarket heads with straight spark plugs.That's my problem.

Will Speed

I have a set that came with my car but the passenger side rubs the heater box a little bit

1cooldaddyo

my '85 was a little tight, but I took the heat shields off and now have plenty of room. Factory manifolds are just like long tubes down to about frame level but the tin work makes them twice the size they actually are.

steven mack

What make are they?Thanks,Steve

steven mack

I took the tin work off also but still had to dimple the tubes and use Accel shorty plugs.But the spark plug boots still get to hot.I even put the woven heat socks on them.

1cooldaddyo

Mine's an '85, so maybe there's a difference in plug positioning. I've got regular 'ol champion plugs in it with Taylor wires.
#8 is a little snug like small blocks always are. I have a plug socket with a spot cut into the side to get to that one and use an open and wrench to turn it.
​​​​​ The reason I took the tin off was because the wires were sitting against it. Didn't seem to affect the wires none, but it bothered me.
Oh, I forgot I also took the smog tubes off and welded up the holes. That could be what the difference is.
Those things get every bit as hot as the manifold itself!

1cooldaddyo

Here's a shot of the passenger side.

1cooldaddyo

Just reread the thread and saw the part about the aftermarket heads.
​​​​​​I haven't seen any aftermarket shorty headers that look like they would work. The main problem seems to be #8 where our cars need to head straight down right off the bat otherwise it won't fit into the notch in the heater box.
Years ago I had a Monte SS with long tubes that had severe clearance issues. I found that Bosch platinum +4 's were even shorter than the acceleration shorties. That was 15 years ago so could have changed.

vette196

Still have those LT manifolds in Ct. From what I've been reading shorties add zero HP

steven mack

Thanks Vette 196. I'm not looking for more Hp per say.Just more clearance for my spark plug boots.If I was sure I would get more room for my spark plug boots I would buy your manifolds.Thanks,Steve

ex-x-fire

One of the best things you can do is get them coated, reduces under hood temps by a lot.

steven mack

that's a good idea e-x-fire but to have them coated cost a lot.I also am thinking of gutting the pre cats to cool things down.I just sent for a chip to turn the cooling fan on at 180 degrees along with a lot of other changes.I wrapped the factory exhaust manifolds in thermal cloth.Thanks,Steve

vette196

ah yes, I forgot. Good Luck