Thinking of removing headers
 

I don't know why, but I have never been a fan of headers. I guess I just like the way stock exhaust pipes, followed by a good set of duals sounds compared to headers. So, what did my new '85 come with...headers. Now I know you guys have different opinions about headers, but I am thinking of replacing them with the original exhaust manifolds. Only thing is I'm not sure about a few things. First off, this engine is a replacement. I think it came out of an early 90's truck. It is a VORTEC engine with the VORTEC heads. Would I need to get the exhaust manifolds specific to this engine, or are there other year models that will bolt up. This is a non-smog set up so would anything need to be done to the stock exhaust manifolds before I could use them. Thanks

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

Stock manifolds will bolt up just fine. You will want some non emissions manifolds though that don't have air injection tubes.

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

Will any small block chevy exhaust manifolds bolt up to the VORTEC heads? For some reason, I guess I was thinking the VORTEC heads were different? :confused:

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

well you could just block up the tube holes with plugs ive done that on trucks that i ripped out the confounded air pump on

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

The two style heads are different in that one won't bolt up to the others block. You can run the same exhaust setup on either though. That part is pretty much the same.
I ran into some trouble when I swapped my 87 305 for an 84 305 out of a Camaro. Very few parts were interchangeable, however the exhaust were.
I went the opposite direction and installed the cheap Dynomax header/dual exhaust kit from Summit. I could actually tell a difference in the power. Plenty more with headers. It may have been because the Cat was pretty clogged too though. :lol:
Any engine would run better if you give that hot air somewhere to go.

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

Some of the happiest days of my life were the birth of my daughter and the days I took the headers of my trucks or sold the trucks that had them.

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

Here is what i did. These came from a 90 suburban. Has no smog holes and fits our trucks perfect. This is what I would look for if I did not want the holes to deal with, and these make for clean install I think.

Re: Thinking of removing headers
 

Most of the 90's TBI truck engines didn't have smog pumps. You can by new repo small block manifolds real cheap online and ebay too.

I have always had good experiences with headers until this last set on my 72 402 truck.