headers & horns

[rickn]

can anyone explain to me the benifit of headers over ramhorns, i was told you get the same HP out of horns

[J.Lance]

I think it depends on your application. Headers will give you a little more flow over ram horns but IMO ram horns are the best stock manifold design ever made. Too many headaches with headers for me. The good headers that won't leak are too expensive and the cheap ones will only cause problems. I love my horns and won't give em up for anything else. I guess I'm biased!

[Longhorn Man]

With the exception of a few $99 headers...they aill all outflow ram horns. Even most of the cheap crappy headers will outflow, but some of them are still junk.
There are ways around the headaches of headers.The only headache I have with mine is one spark plug being a PITA. Other than that, they are 100% hassle free.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I agree with andy on the headdr's with one exception,the gasket's burn out alot... I finally went with the copper gasket's and have not had a problem since...

[jmorgan]

I am dumping my headers in favor of the RAM'S, but I have also been told by an "Ole'school" muffler man to install the RAM's without gaskets. He told me to snug them up tight, like 30ft. lbs and "WHalla!" no leaks, I will no next weekend, because I am putting them on with new heads, new intake, new valve covers, and 2 1/2 Pipe with 40 series Flowmasters.

[skid]

Check out www.castheads.com

I've got their system with the ported Vette heads and mandrel bent exhaust. If anyone wants, I can post a couple pictures.

[SCOTI]

Do they CNC port only the exhaust port or the entire manifold?

[skid]

I talked with Randy Brzezinsky and he said originally they ported the entire manifold, but the dyno told them that there was very little difference, and not worth the effort. The largest gains come from just opening up the ports to a 1404 gasket. I ported my own with a die grinder using the gasket for a template. I did clean up any casting flash inside though.

[N2TRUX]

Hmmm? Scoti are you thinking what I'm thinking? No reason why we can't port our own, eh?
Yes skid, I would LOVE to see some pics of your set up. In case y'all don't know there is a "big" difference between the longer truck style 2" outlet ram horn exhaust and the Corvette 2.5" ram horns.
According to Brzezinski Racing Products, they have tested various exhaust manifolds for the small-block. The stock 2 1/2” Corvette “Ram Horn” manifolds are 10 to 15 horsepower better than any other manifolds. When CNC Modified, the 2 1/2” Corvette manifolds are at least 20 horsepower better

I'm going to say that pretty close to any $99 header

[skid]

Picture of 2-1 going into dynomax rv muffler (flows for 500 hp)



In front of cross member



Passenger downtube (2.5" mandrel pipe)



Drivers downtube



Another pic of 2-1 collector



picture of vette ram horn (sorry, I don't really have a decent one)

[SCOTI]

It looks like you used Brzezinskys collecters (compression fittings) as well. How do you like them? Worth the $$?

[biglou55]

I have two sets of ram horns one set dumps straight down like your pitcure of the vette ones. the others angle back are these just for trucks &what years. thanks biglou.

[Dean]

2WD angle back and 4WD are straight down. The straight down ones are easier to find around here due to the fact they were used on a lot of passenger cars.

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by skid
....picture of vette ram horn (sorry, I don't really have a decent one)

Skid any idea what year those are? How about the casting number? I have found that there are at least two different styles of 2.5" ram horns. The more common one is the in the picture below. Those are for 62-65 Corvettes . The draw back is the ugly bracket cast in. I'm sure I can clean it up but if I can find some like yours it would save me the hassle...

[skid]

Mine are the same ones as the ones you posted. I hack-sawed and ground off the generator mounts, and faced the ground portion to the fire wall, reversing them left to right and right to left. It's really hard to notice where I ground them.I got them from my local GM dealer out of the chevy power catalogue.

[skid]

Yeah, I bought the Brzezinsky 2-1 collector kit with the mandrel bent elbows. I supplied the straight pipe. Instead of using a donut gasket, the kit comes with a machined, metal donut tig-welded to the pipe that bolts up to the manifold collector. So far no leaks!

[N2TRUX]

Originally posted by skid
Mine are the same ones as the ones you posted. I hack-sawed and ground off the generator mounts, and faced the ground portion to the fire wall......

Man I need a local swap meet to happen soon. Trying to buy these things of Ebay and pay shipping is going to get rel expensive....