Headers or ram horns?

[kolectrkev]

Should I stay with ram horns or go with headers on my 71 2wd 350 automatic? If I go with headers what should I go with?

Thanks,

Kevin

[CPNEJR]

I would stick with the ram horns because if you go with headers they tend to heat up the starter and the truck wont start.

I you went with headers they make specialty one for our trucks and they don't tend to do that as much (but they still do)
it's really up to you

[lpaine]

Personally, I prefer the ram's horns- headers might free up a little power, but then you'd have the headache of fitting the headers to your stock exhaust (shop job) If you go with headers don't throw the ram's horns out-you'll need them again when the headers rust out.

[sdkid]

I wish I had stayed with rams horns. Headers make spark plug changes a pain, and are harder on plug wires.

[ChevyDude]

I'm on the otherside on this one as I want headers on my trucks. However, if you are going for the stock look then the Ram Horns are the way to go. The Ceramic coated headers of todays technology are MUCH more prone to not rusting. I have had a Ceramic Coated set on my 4wd and NO leaks and NO rust. JMO.

[784X4GUY]

You can buy that wrap for the headers which I heard keeps the heat down alot. But then again I also heard if you use that the inside of your headers just go to pieces because of all the heat thats held in...Later Mike

[RainFade]

Just make sure your rams horns are solid, I took mine off to install headers and they pretty much disintigrated.

[smokekiki]

The header companys will not honor any warrenties if wrapped.Put 3/4 lenth coated chevelle headers,and if needed a remote solenoid.Stock exhaust gaskets will seal better than the ones for headers.

[72 Blazerman]

my 2 cents worth but, I have never had any problems with headers overheating solenoid on any vehicle I had. But it is all in what you want. I'm using Hooker Headers on my Blazer.

Doug

[784X4GUY]

Yeah same here Doug, never any problems with any of mine and starting problems...Later Mike

[chevyboy55]

I would stick with the rams horns myself. However. I have never had a starting problem with headers. I had a 1971 El Camino that you had to take the header off to change the starter. I used a WHOLE bunch of improper words when changing spark plugs.

[Stocker]

IMO it really depends on the engine. If stock or nearly so, keep the ramhorns - they'll flow quite well enough. But with a pumped up engine, I'd go with headers to help it breathe better.

[N2TRUX]

Why not have the best of both worlds. Get a set of 2 1/2" Corvette ram horns. They will flow as much as most headers.....

[robertwb]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Why not have the best of both worlds. Get a set of 2 1/2" Corvette ram horns. They will flow as much as most headers

as long as you think 65% is "almost" as much-and that's professionally ported corvette rams horns -VS- generic headers

giving up 35% is quite a compromise but those are by far the best factory manifolds-sanderson makes cast iron manifolds that are better but they ain't cheap

[68w/sbc406]

when i put my headers on they fit perfect, and the spark plugs arent too hard to get to. the PITA are the bolts that are right behind #1 and #2. i had to go with allen head bolts cause i couldnt get a wrench in there, and then i had to cut a small piece of an allen wrench off cause i couldnt get the allen wrench in either, but with the small piece of allen wrench and then a wrench it works fine

[Hooter]

what I did to combat the heat soak problem was to install an asbestos mit around my starter with some bailing wire, its kinda half assed but havent had a single problem in 5 years

[Wootdog]

If I could find the stock manifolds for my 68 shortwide with a 350. Stock for the 79 Z28 350, and of course a stock set of manifolds for the LT1 for the 67 truck I would buy them all. Headers are so over rated for the hassle they cause. I just paid 35.00 for what are supposed to be the best gaskets on the market as far as sealing. Waste of money. My two cents. Kerry

[ChevyDude]

OK...so just do what you want. It's that simple.

[4x4Poet]

Sanderson cast headers are great, but I couldn't find cast SBC headers on their website. Must be my fault. Still, short of racing, their the best of both worlds: no hassle cast with headers' high flow rates.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by robertwb

as long as you think 65% is "almost" as much-and that's professionally ported corvette rams horns -VS- generic headers....

So your saying that port matched ram horns will on flow 65% of most shortie headers? Not from the flow charts I have seen.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by 72 Blazerman

my 2 cents worth but, I have never had any problems with headers overheating solenoid on any vehicle I had. But it is all in what you want. I'm using Hooker Headers on my Blazer.

Doug

PART #

[GMC AMI]

Originally Posted by CPNEJR

I would stick with the ram horns because if you go with headers they tend to heat up the starter and the truck wont start.

I you went with headers they make specialty one for our trucks and they don't tend to do that as much (but they still do)
it's really up to you

I vote for rams, last a lot longer than headers. Unless you are racing then go with a good quality set for added performance.

CPNEJR, where do you sign up for that FAN CLUB? Needs more members.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Why not have the best of both worlds. Get a set of 2 1/2" Corvette ram horns. They will flow as much as most headers.....

PART #

[71gmcfanatic]

This is a quote from chevy high performance magazine where they took a bone stock 350 and starte doing things to it to add power and here is what happened when they added headers.

"It was obvious the engine needed to breathe, so in Test 2 we pitched the cast-iron exhaust manifolds and bolted on a set of Hooker 1-5/8-inch headers. We retained the 2-1/4-inch exhaust pipes and Hooker turbo mufflers, all obtained from PAW. The engine responded immediately to the exhaust system upgrade with as much as 53 lb-ft more torque at 3,400 rpm! To put that in perspective, that's like a mild shot of nitrous. As you might expect, horsepower also improved, with 17 more horsepower at 4,500 rpm."

Headers is all I run

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 71gmcfanatic

.....so in Test 2 we pitched the cast-iron exhaust manifolds and bolted on a set of Hooker 1-5/8-inch headers. .....

What "cast-iron exhaust manifolds" were they referring to? According to Brzezinski Racing products We 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.

Keep in mind all my comments are reffering to the original question of headers vs. Ram horns. I suggested if your going to run ram horns then the 2 1/2" ram horn flows as good as most headers.

LUV2XCLR8- The 2 1/2" Corvette ramhorns are available as 3797901 (Left Hand) and 3814970 (Right Hand). Flatlander racing has them listed for $137.00 a piece if you want new ones. I bought mine off of Ebay...