Ram Horn Exhaust Question

[Already Gone]

Do the ram horn exhaust manifolds work like headers and are they factory? Were they available for big blocks?
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[Wrenchbender Ret]

The Ramshorns are good as headers for normal street use. They are factory on 55-62 v-8 light trucks & longer on larger trucks. The Corvetts used them with a 2 1/2 in outlet. They are available new at a reasonable price through the aftermarket.

[c10monkey]

Actually on our trucks until 72 on the small blocks.

The Corvette ones are slightly different because of the frame.

Just bought a right side from eBay for 43 bucks shipped. Fit perfectly!
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[Wrenchbender Ret]

You are right Monkey. I meant 72.

[c10monkey]

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

You are right Monkey. I meant 72.

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[woodfork1]

Can Ram horns fit on 96 -20 vortec heads?

[slow-1]

The new ones can be had with 2.5 inch collectors instead of the stock 2"...should be even better for performance apps.

That is a fine looking motor pictured above!
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[mgchevyparts]

Originally Posted by slow-1

The new ones can be had with 2.5 inch collectors instead of the stock 2"...should be even better for performance apps.

That is a fine looking motor pictured above!
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2.5" Rams horns have straight down dumps as opposed to the angled back truck ones, however I don't know if dumping straight down will be a fitment issue or not.

[slow-1]

Good point, I will study that this week as I put my motor back in.

[mgchevyparts]

I have considered them for my 71, looking at it, it appears they would fit but haven't tried it for first hand experience. If someone has installed the straight dumps it would be good to know how it went.

[Harpie]

Originally Posted by woodfork1

Can Ram horns fit on 96 -20 vortec heads?

Yes they sure can have them on my 5.7 vortec swap in my 71.
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[woodfork1]

Which after market ram horns do you recomend for SBC 350 to go into my 71 C10? Straight dump or should I get the curved dumps?

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by woodfork1

Which after market ram horns do you recomend for SBC 350 to go into my 71 C10? Straight dump or should I get the curved dumps?

C10 with the engine in the standard location need the curved, C10 and Ks in the 4x4 location can use the straights. I would look in the classifieds for OEM manifolds before going after market unless you need the 2.5 inch versions. Probably Dorman if after market.

[mgchevyparts]

Originally Posted by Lee H

C10 with the engine in the standard location need the curved, C10 and Ks in the 4x4 location can use the straights. I would look in the classifieds for OEM manifolds before going after market unless you need the 2.5 inch versions. Probably Dorman if after market.

Looking at my 71 they look like they may fit, the driver side might be close to the engine mount. Harpie, a few replies back says he has them on his 71 C10 2wd without an issue.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by woodfork1

Can Ram horns fit on 96 -20 vortec heads?

Yes

However, I prefer LT-1 iron manifolds.

[Don Quixote]

I am not sure about availability for the big blocks as I have not seen them but I run them on my 350 built for towing and they are as close to ideal as I can get. I would rather run them over headers for what I use them for. I tow a lot and sometimes some rather heavy loads and I would worry about headers getting a bit too hot and keeping my wiring away from them and the starter as well would be too much of a chore.

[Bigdav160]

Big Block Corvette manifolds looked like this:

[TonyJohnson]

The Dorman 2.5" ram horns work fine on the Vortec heads, with the exception of a little grinding on the top square casting lugs so the centerbolt valve covers will fit properly. The straight down exit works fine on my 4 wheel drive Blazer.

[mr_earnhardt1]

Any thoughts on the "limit" of the ram horn manifolds compaired to headers as far as engine mods and performance? Larger cams and such?

[Lee H]

The rams horn exhaust manifolds were designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov in the early 50s for use on the corvette. They will fit all G1 & 2 SBC heads. They were later adapted for several other platforms. Most were 2 inch with 2.5 inch used on corvette 350, 365, and 375 HP solid lifter 327ci engines in the mid to late 60s. Like all GM performance engines of the late 60s and early 70s these HP ratings were very conservative. While headers typically add about 20-25 Horses to a small block, switching from rams horns will only add about half that. My blue printed 30-30 solid lifter cammed 365hp 327 only gained 7 ponies on an engine dyno going from rams horns to headers.

Duntov was the father of GM racing and was the chief designer from mid 50's through the hay days of the 60s and early 70s. In the 40s his company pioneered the ford V8 flathead aluminum head design that later turned into Offenhauser. As a designer and driver he won several class divisions at Le Mans in the early 50s driving a porsche. Soon after he joined GM and laid the foundation and strategy that Chevrolet has used ever since to create the most successful performance parts programs in the industry. In the process, he would change the Corvette from mundane into a formidable sports car that challenged Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and won.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by Lee H

The rams horn exhaust manifolds were designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov in the early 50s for use on the corvette. They will fit all G1 & 2 SBC heads. They were later adapted for several other platforms. Most were 2 inch with 2.5 inch used on corvette 350, 365, and 375 HP solid lifter 327ci engines in the mid to late 60s. Like all GM performance engines of the late 60s and early 70s these HP ratings were very conservative. While headers typically add about 20-25 Horses to a small block, switching from rams horns will only add about half that. My blue printed 30-30 solid lifter cammed 365hp 327 only gained 7 ponies on an engine dyno going from rams horns to headers.

Duntov was the father of GM racing and was the chief designer from mid 50's through the hay days of the 60s and early 70s. In the 40s his company pioneered the ford V8 flathead aluminum head design that later turned into Offenhauser. As a designer and driver he won several class divisions at Le Mans in the early 50s driving a porsche. Soon after he joined GM and laid the foundation and strategy that Chevrolet has used ever since to create the most successful performance parts programs in the industry. In the process, he would change the Corvette from mundane into a formidable sports car that challenged Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and won.

Cool history lesson. Brings more "life" into these parts we talk about so much. Thanks for posting.

[Stu Pidd]

And here I've been thinking I'd toss out the rams horn manifolds on my truck and install headers before long.
Had no idea they were from the brilliant mind of Zora Arkus-Duntov

Time for a re-think......

[Already Gone]

I started this thread and really like the way threads can weave and bob and still keep to the original theme. Thats one of the things that makes this site super.
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[samkost]

Once again, Great site!

I decided to remove my Hedman Headers and install the original Ramshorns on my 72' C-10 1/2 ton.
I have read other forum discussions about not using gaskets or Grade 8 bolts.
I don't have the bolts for mounting and need to get the correct hardware.
Can someone please tell me if there is a specific manifold bolt kit you would recommend or lets say NAPA parts have the correct length bolts, washers and copper nuts for installing?

Any advice and feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks, Sam

[jocko]

I've had ram's horns and headers. Realistically, headers are only a horsepower maker in the higher rpm range, but they may help a little on the lower end of the range. They should be considered for an engine upgrade if the intake (carb, valves, cam (especially) are non-stock, performance oriented. Not much point to them on a bone stock engine as ram's horns are pretty efficient. Used to think everything needed headers, but got kinda tired of the extra noise - prefer stock for the most part now. And they don't eek as much heat into the eng compartment either. My 2c! And thanks for the cool info Lee.