![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
headers vs manifolds
I'm rebuilding my GMC's 327, and im debating on keeping manifolds or adding headers. ive built a 350 before and put headers on it, however, I had continuous gasket blowouts. I tried the "no blow" copper gaskets with no luck, and Ive heard several other complaints about headers. What do you guys think? Are the horsepower gains worth the extra heat and blown gaskets? I also want to keep the truck relatively quiet, but of course I want to squeeze out as many more horses as possible. Thanks, David
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
67-72 Addict!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The TAX State!
Posts: 7,857
|
Everybody claims the aluminum dead soft gaskets are thicker and better. I'm buying a set this week for my collectors I can't get to seal. I would still prefer headers over manifold type though. Ceramic reduces heat!
__________________
Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
|
I got jet hot coated dynomax headers from summit for a little over $200. I haven't ran into much problems with them and I think they're worth the gain.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 2,746
|
Iv'e often wondered what a set of extrude honed corvette manifolds with their 2 1/2" outlets would dyno compared to a set of headers. I know Brzezinski Racing gets some pretty good H.P. figures out of engines with modified stock cast iron components. Iv'e seen figures on gains on their intakes but not exhaust.
Why not give it a try and let the rest of us know?
__________________
![]() ![]() 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
|
i dont care how much porting or whatever you do to a set of manifolds they cannot flow what a set of headers can there is a lot more area inside a header tube than inside a manifold
__________________
Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
And I am one of the guys running the dead soft alluminum collector gaskets. I have had them on 2 sets of headers, and removed probably at least a dozen times in the last 3 years owning them.
If they don't seal on your headers, I'd probably buy them from you for recomending them and being wrong. THAT is how much I like them...and every one knows how cheap I am.. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Posts: 40
|
I was running Hooker Super Comp w/ 3" collectors. The motor is 383 that dynod on water brake 466 lb ft trq @ 3000 rpm. I had to do a lot of trimming to and bending to get them in the truck. It didn't work to good. Seemed they were rubbing every where. Any way I replaced them withe 2 1/2" cast iron corvette manifolds. I can assure they do not leak. I noticed one day that a bolt had fallen out and they were still sealed as best as I can tell. Any way I can't physically tell the difference and I tollerate the lack of trouble alot better. I found my at junk yard and one had a broken ear on collector. I brazed it up and threaded it, but it failed about a year later. I was suprised to find the part new from Chevrolet and if I remember it wasn,t that costly.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
Just for the record, the hookers fit like a dream in a 2 wheel drive truck.
I sat here looking at your post wondering why your hookers didn't fit. Took me a few moments before I looked at your screen name. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 1,480
|
Longhornmail, What kind of hookers are you running?
__________________
Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
|
Quote:
![]()
__________________
69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
Hooker Super Comps. I convinced the crazy guy above to get some too.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
thanks for the input, i will most likely run them also!
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Formerly yellow72custom
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 7,531
|
As long as you re-check the tightness on your headerbolts after the initian startup with headers, and maybe every time you do an oil change, the gaskets won't leak. I am running standard Fel-Pro manifold gaskets in mine right now...and they seem to work pretty good. They are cheaper than actual header gaskets and easier to install.
__________________
'72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Workin to live...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 261
|
Ya'll need to invest in locking header bolts. For the $30-$40 spent, you'll appreciate not having to worry about retightening ever-other week. I had these on my '85 with a GM Performance parts HO 350 and headman headers. Never had a leak or had to retighten in the 1½ years I had the truck!!
__________________
Jason |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Posts: 40
|
Did not mean to confuse with my statment. The part of the story I did not tell was that I bought off a camaro bracket car that was converting to a big block. I was in the process of dynoing the motor and wanted to see what they would do. After the numbers I knew I had to make them fit. He is where the problem was camaro to the Blazer. I did make them work, but it was never right in fact when I would get on the brake with hubs locked in the front drive shaft would rub the right header not a good thing in fact I was chasing a coyote and knocked a whole in the header. Basically I destroyed a nice set of headers. A lesson learned only buy what was made for the vehicle. How ever i have zero problem with the cast iron manifolds and behind the wheel I can't tell any difference. I am running them through flow master 70's I think with an H pipe which quieted things tremendouslyand has a very nice sound. With the headers I had to turn the motor off at drive thrus to place an order.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
i agree with the noise problem, i had headers on a Ranger one time (heh) and they were loud as hell. im still not sure which im going to go with on the GMC, but ill definately let everyone know which one and how it turns out. thanks so much for all the great input!
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 1,480
|
Jeesh! Those super comps don't come at an easy price. about 350 for regular black ones. For the ceramic coated ones about 530.
![]() ![]() ![]() thanks, Poodude
__________________
Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
$530.00!!! those manifolds are starting to look a little less restricting.
![]()
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
LOL I got lucky, mine were on the truck when i bought it. That is about the only thing the last owner did right.
The headers have never hit the ground. The front end won't go low enough...and that is with the soggy sagging 500,000mile old front springs. Also spark plugs come out easily with only one plug needing a wrench...a socket on all the rest. Plug clearance is a little tight though, I use BOSH upers, only becouse they are the shortest non-specialty plug out there...that and they are only 99 cents each. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
is there any paint for headers that will not eventually burn off? the last set i bought burnt the so called heat risistant paint off in a week. the ceramic coated would be great.... but i have to buy food once in a while too.
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Resident Curmudgeon
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NH
Posts: 6,664
|
I have a complete dual exhaust system including hooker headers, hpipe and flowmasters. It is for a LWB truck, still sitting in frame. From AZ so it's solid. The catch? It's all welded together, albiet a nice job.
I was going to use it but opted for the rams horns for the sake of simplicity (clutch linkage, changing plugs, burnt wires, etc.) Sell for $50 complete, you remove and pick up.
__________________
Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter ![]() Maybe I need to sell some of this crap ![]() Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
I have never found a paint that holds up.
I had some that lasted a week, then turned brown and rinced off the next time i washed my engine...ceramic something or another. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: West Valley City, Ut
Posts: 311
|
headers
are those headers in a 2wd or a 4wd???
__________________
72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration ![]() 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
David Tye
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Abbeville, Alabama
Posts: 52
|
jeff, if i didnt live so far away, i would come get the exhaust from you with CASH money
![]() i believe the headers we've been discussing are for 2x4, they may fit 4x4; andy can probably tell for sure
__________________
David -68 GMC w/327 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
|
2 wheel drive is what I been talking about, and what I have pictured there.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|