When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1986 L98 TPI engine w/ aluminum heads in my 1978 Silver Anniversary restomod. I was starting to see the light at the end of my tunnel when I came across a Flaming River rack & pinion for a price I couldn't pass up. Putting it in I came across an issue with the exhaust manifold. The center of the manifold is right about where the steering shaft comes up thru the frame. I am trying to figure out what other L98 or TPI exhaust manifild I could use that dumps at the rear of the manifold instead of the middle. A TPI manifold maybe from a 350 Camaro or Firebird? I am going to check out some block hugger headers over the weekend ( when I can dig them out) to see if they tuck in far enough. Stock engine, not really concerned about any HP loss. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
A camaro manifold may work those dump more towards the rear? Ask the c4 sec for a pic of an LT1 manifold. Heck if they fit they flow more and are cheap.
F body may be the way to go
Thanks. I actually have a set of LT manifolds on it now. But they dump in the middle same as L98 ones. I really don’t want to buy a set of generic headers if I am not sure that they fit. That’s why my question about the f bodies. As I said I’m not concerned that much about the flow. Been there done that and for now my goal is a truly unique ride more than a fast ride. Will look into the F manifolds. Thx for your input.
Thanks. I actually have a set of LT manifolds on it now. But they dump in the middle same as L98 ones. I really don’t want to buy a set of generic headers if I am not sure that they fit. That’s why my question about the f bodies. As I said I’m not concerned that much about the flow. Been there done that and for now my goal is a truly unique ride more than a fast ride. Will look into the F manifolds. Thx for your input.
I think that's the best bang for the buck (vs shortys for example), quite noticeable difference in the port holes
Actually I just got in and have some progress to report. After looking at a few options,, including some hugger shorty headers I have, I came across these Smoothie Ram Head manifolds from Speedway. $150 with gaskets and bolts. More flow than the LT ones I had. Plenty of room once they were installed. And they are about 4 inches shorter top to bottom, which gave me the clearance I needed fo for the rack and pinion set up. But this is why I seem to take one step forward and two back. I had already finsihed the engine, exhaust and steering. But when I fell in love with the Flaming River rack I had to change out not only all the new steering componenets, but also the manifolds. Hindsight tells me that maybe the old 350 ones would have worked, but the L98 has angle plugs, not sure about the old engine which is long gone. And now that I have the new manifolds on I realize that the L98 wire looms won't work coming over the op, so I need to go under the manifolds. Just like the OLD one did. I will probably have to track down soem old ignition shields that go along side the block. Like the old ones. I guess I need to start selling off some of these things to pay for all the new stuff I need. But that's the fun of this. Thanks. To all.
Smooth 2 1/2 inch opening you can see how small the LT was compared to the L98 heads looking at the marks Same thing here. The D was blocking more than I thought.
L98 Exhaust manifold
