Melrose headers impressions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
yes, the port on the l98 is smaller than the lt1 but the flange and everything is identical for a SBC gen1 to gen 2. You can put lt1 manifolds on l98s as well. I'll let you know how they fit into the car but itll be a few weeks. The angled plug heads are key!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
You are going to really enjoy this.. what are you using for mufflers? If I do this Id want pretty strong mufflers.. I HATE HATE HATE drone.. but LOVE cam/header sound.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I already have these and they don't drone but I also have stock reproduction mufflers in the shed if need be lol.
https://youtu.be/40ZvJSe-CyM
https://youtu.be/40ZvJSe-CyM
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
That's a crossfire actually. mild cam speced to 89 l98 specs but in a flat tappet, corvette central rear Y with crossover tube, magnaflow direct replacement cat and all going through mid america muffler eliminators... basically glass packs. The closest thing it sounds like is the side pipes on C3s. Similar growl and rasp anyway
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,668
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
When i replaced my beloved 1 3/4” tpis long tube headers with arh stainless 1 7/8” headers....i was annoyed how much ‘heavier’ the arh headers are.
im sure theres some old man somewhere who appreciates the ‘make ‘em sturdy like they used to’...but for me , when competing with lightweight ls swapped vehicles, I dont appreciate it.
im sure theres some old man somewhere who appreciates the ‘make ‘em sturdy like they used to’...but for me , when competing with lightweight ls swapped vehicles, I dont appreciate it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Now that was a tight fit lol.I'm looking forward to the ride.
As for the weight, stainless is quite a bit heavier than mild steel. But still a hell of a lot lighter than manifolds.
Last edited by 84 4+3; Dec 22, 2019 at 03:55 PM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
So I basically could have thrown the driver side head at the car and it would have fit. The passengers side... Well, I've opted to switch to the later style starter. There is no way in hell I am trying to wrestle that thing back into place around the header lol. As far as the driver side goes, straightened out the brake lines and zip tied up the O2 wire... otherwise plenty of space. Driver side took 10 minutes. Passengers side should slide up nice from the bottom with the mini starter. Very happy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
So I basically could have thrown the driver side head at the car and it would have fit. The passengers side... Well, I've opted to switch to the later style starter. There is no way in hell I am trying to wrestle that thing back into place around the header lol. As far as the driver side goes, straightened out the brake lines and zip tied up the O2 wire... otherwise plenty of space. Driver side took 10 minutes. Passengers side should slide up nice from the bottom with the mini starter. Very happy.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
@James C4 pretty sure I forgot to mention it the other day on youtube. 
Hopefully tonight I'll get in the passengers side and get some pictures. I dropped the drivers side in from the top but having the accessory drive out probably helped with that.
Hopefully tonight I'll get in the passengers side and get some pictures. I dropped the drivers side in from the top but having the accessory drive out probably helped with that.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 179
Likes: 12
From: Missouri
@84 4+3 yeah I did both of mine from the bottom. Stupid people on the internet said to do passenger side from top by just moving the AC compressor. Biggest load of BS ever and the old brittle AC hose broke. That was $150 down the drain. My dad and I also made a guard attached to the bottom of the peanut starter we installed to cover the opening left. I was never able to measure the amount that the gears from the starter catch but there is no whine or grinding so I'm guessing it all lined up well. I believe you were the one that commented on my video so I won't link it in this post assuming you've already seen it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
@84 4+3 yeah I did both of mine from the bottom. Stupid people on the internet said to do passenger side from top by just moving the AC compressor. Biggest load of BS ever and the old brittle AC hose broke. That was $150 down the drain. My dad and I also made a guard attached to the bottom of the peanut starter we installed to cover the opening left. I was never able to measure the amount that the gears from the starter catch but there is no whine or grinding so I'm guessing it all lined up well. I believe you were the one that commented on my video so I won't link it in this post assuming you've already seen it.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Noblesville Indiana
HI - late breaking news ... Melrose just called me and cancelled my ceramic coated header order 1992 6 speed ... They said they are quitting the header business due to EPA fines for folks that build aftermarket stuff without emission connections/controls. fyi ...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
I noticed they didn't have any headers on their website when I checked it before.....down to TPiS or Exotic Muscle...damn you Melrose
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
That sucks....maybe not cost effective to weld on smog bungs?
This industry is getting slaughtered one US mfr at a time. More for china I guess.
One more step in getting old ICE off the road. May be awhile but its coming...better go enjoy them guys stop worrying about that odometer.
This industry is getting slaughtered one US mfr at a time. More for china I guess.
One more step in getting old ICE off the road. May be awhile but its coming...better go enjoy them guys stop worrying about that odometer.
Last edited by cv67; Jan 17, 2020 at 01:47 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
One of the few areas Trump has neglected. I wish he would have fired all of the leftover communists.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina