Late model exaust manifolds

[Brainchild]

I was working on the exhaust on the 71 today,and to old ram horn manifolds have seen better days,and I'm going to have to buy new ones.But then I found a pair of late model manifolds off of a late 80s impala,the ones that route the exhaust over the top,and out the back,and they look like they will work.

I bolted them up,and the dump on the left side clears the clutch linkage by a mile,and the right dumps out at a strange angle,but it looks like there is plenty of room to run pipe to it.Actually it looks like there will be more clearance for the starter,and clutch.The clutch linkage rubbed the pipe on the truck I pulled the exhaust off of.

I am looking for something better without going the route of headers.Anyone using these kind of manifolds?

IF so a pic would be great

[1972C10]

They will work I had some on a 72 i used to have.

[Brainchild]

Cool, I think I'll use them.The old ramhorns are really scarce around here.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

If its the straight log style manifolds, they are junk for flow and they tend to carck easily in the middle two port areas. The better versions would be the mid seventies manifolds without the air fittings, they actually used that style at least up until 1990 on the half ton 2wd. They go down below the spark plugs, shaped something like a W. Look on e bay, there is always cheap Rams horn manifolds on there. If I had headers for mine, I'd give you mine for the cost of shipping.

[jimfulco]

Some of the IROC's used a similar manifold with a 2-1/4" outlet.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by 72C203503ONTHETREE

The better versions would be the mid seventies manifolds without the air fittings, they actually used that style at least up until 1990 on the half ton 2wd. They go down below the spark plugs, shaped something like a W.

Go look at your truck. That type you're talking about won't fit. The underneath type hit the engine mount frame stands.

You have to use an "up high" type of manifold like the ramshorn or the log type like Brainchild is talking about to clear the engine mounts.

[Blue Beard]

Just be sure there is clearance near the frame rails, brake lines...

[Brainchild]

Tx Firefighter is right,the W manifolds were my first choice, but they hit the mounts.

Is the flow that much worse with the log style monifolds over the ramhorns? I might have a set of headers,but I really didn't want to go that route on my driver.Besides it's mainly all stock.

[Longhorn Man]

Ham horns have been proven to out flow some of the $99 headers.
So yeah, they Do flow that good.

[stickshift_or_walk]

Originally Posted by Brainchild

Anyone using these kind of manifolds?

IF so a pic would be great

Brainchild,

I believe these are the ones you're talking about.



I got them with the engine, out of an '84 grandma sedan. You're right, they have great clearance, but I can see where they'd be pretty restrictive. I used brass plugs for the A.I.R. and exhaust sensor holes, got them at ACE hardware.

The other down-side someone else on the board mentioned is that they cook valve cover gaskets. Guess we'll see (if we ever get to the point of firing this thing up)...

SSOW

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

The rams horns will fry gaskets to, they are pretty close up there also. If you can get the HO 5.0 or 5.7 liter manifolds, they are the 2 1/4 inch that jimfulco was posting about. Either way, if you need them for an emergency they will work, but I would at least check out E bay or even Autozone/Advance, etc. for used/new ramhorns.

[Brainchild]

Stickshift,those are the ones I had in mind,but I have the small one with the emissions BS on them.

I walked in the shop today,and there was a pair of ramhorns lying on the bench,Dad had rounded up a pair for me somewhere,so now my exhaust will even fit

I'll file the logs back until I do another one of these.Besides I have them all cleaned up,and all the emissions plumbing taken off.Shame not to use them somewhere.