Exhaust manifold choices - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bowtie001 · 11-02-2007, 09:56 PM

OK guys, I have searched but everyone in here it would seem, chooses from stock manifolds, old corvette manifolds or headers. I want to know if anyone has used newer LT1 manifolds off of an F body or vette before they went LS1. They are still the annoying "ram horn" style that makes spark plug routing a torturous task, but they look like they would flow a lot better. I found some on ebay. 230186738647 and 250182531259.

Anyone have any ideas?

I can't really afford good ceramic coated headers and anything less is going to make spark plug access tough and rust and leak, so I am trying to do some fancy swapping.

This is for a 72 w/ column shift, but it could apply to all really...
-Brian

Old Chevy Mech · 11-02-2007, 10:32 PM

I'm not an engine expert, but the man who built my 350 was IMHO. He built $30 - 50K racing engines and told me not to waste my money on headers. he told me to stick with the ram horn manifolds as they are the best, and dyno-ing proved it to him.

Frank

Longhorn Man · 11-02-2007, 10:45 PM

I've always been told that ram horn manifolds are the best flowing manifolds ever made, and that they outflow many cheap headers.

75gmc454 · 11-02-2007, 10:47 PM

I just bought an original 350 engine out of a 72, to restore my cheyenne super. The exhaust manifolds were gone. I was wondering what kind it is supposed to have. Are the center dump manifolds correct, because I want a correct resto. Aren't they 2 1/4 also?

**Boog** · 11-02-2007, 10:50 PM

I'm no big time engine builder but I believe the horns are plenty for most any stock engined daily driver. Even do very well with some mod'ed engines. For all out racing, headers will always be the choice. But if having headers on a street only dd is what one wants then it's ok. Some just like the sound they add to the exhaust note.

dznucks · 11-03-2007, 06:49 AM

i asked the same question a couple years ago. Some one directed me to a earlier post telling the specific year(s) vette spark plug set to get. that made all the difference in the daunting task of not burning out plug wires. the front wires are long and can go under the engine as opposed to going over the manifold. i still have to put a insualting boot over cylinder #6 plug wire. that one always burns up.

Bowtie001 · 11-03-2007, 07:41 AM

I understand what everyone is saying (and thanks for the responses) but my question is more along the lines of which manifolds I should get. I was wondering if anyone had compared the ramhorns with a newer style such as the F body LT1 manifolds, which are still ramhorn-ish but dump at the rear and are sure to have benefited from years of computational fluid dynamics... I didn't know if they would fit, but they are less 'hoopy', that is, they don't come up between exhaust ports as much, and they looked like routing spark plugs would be easier, plus they are 2.5" I think.

Anyone?

-Brian

Old Chevy Mech · 11-03-2007, 07:56 AM

If I were to spend $ on new manifolds I'd buy the center dump ram horns. I've been changing plugs in this style truck since I was 13, and guess I'm just use to it. That would be my suggestion based off my experience. In the end its really up to you though.

Frank

68C15 · 11-03-2007, 08:09 AM

FWIW plug wire routing is no issue at all with the ram horns if you run them underneath like they were designed. they stay cool and you dont burn your hands changing plugs like you do with bottom or top log style.

aventur1 · 11-03-2007, 08:35 AM

So how much difference performance wise is the angle ram horn compare with the corvette rams that go straight down? I have the angle rams now and a set of corvette rams. Is it worth the swap and adjust the exhaust pipe to fit?

Old Chevy Mech · 11-03-2007, 02:44 PM

I honestly dont know what the difference would be. I understand that the center dump ram horn is a good equalizer for exhaust pressure on each bank. Combine that with an equalizer header just before the mufflers & your engine will "purrrrr" as my beautiful wife says!

Frank

aventur1 · 11-03-2007, 03:50 PM

Thanks, just may have to change out just for the heck of it.

**Boog** · 11-03-2007, 08:47 PM

If I'm not mistaken the center dump ram horns are too close to the crossmember on 2 wd trucks but fine on 4 wd ones.

Texasdeere · 11-03-2007, 09:03 PM

I am not positive on this, but I believe the Vette manifolds are 2.5" dumps and the others (car & truck) are either 2" or 2.25". Most likely 2.25".

If I had a small block 350 or similar with a mild cam and intake setup I would go with the Vette manifolds, if you can still get the custom 90 degree down pipes with mini starter. Otherwise they only fit a 4WD.

aventur1 · 11-03-2007, 10:23 PM

I saw how close they are and how a tight turn it would be to miss. Some where I saw a kit that works with the corvette ram horns for our trucks here on the forum, looked like a 90* pipe with a flange to hook to the ram horn then to the exhaust pipe and out.

11-02-2007, 09:56 PM	#1
Bowtie001 Project underway - finally. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 493	Exhaust manifold choices OK guys, I have searched but everyone in here it would seem, chooses from stock manifolds, old corvette manifolds or headers. I want to know if anyone has used newer LT1 manifolds off of an F body or vette before they went LS1. They are still the annoying "ram horn" style that makes spark plug routing a torturous task, but they look like they would flow a lot better. I found some on ebay. 230186738647 and 250182531259. Anyone have any ideas? I can't really afford good ceramic coated headers and anything less is going to make spark plug access tough and rust and leak, so I am trying to do some fancy swapping. This is for a 72 w/ column shift, but it could apply to all really... -Brian __________________ 1972 GMC Pre-resto... awaiting allocated funding. Last edited by Bowtie001; 11-02-2007 at 09:56 PM.

11-02-2007, 10:32 PM	#2
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I'm not an engine expert, but the man who built my 350 was IMHO. He built $30 - 50K racing engines and told me not to waste my money on headers. he told me to stick with the ram horn manifolds as they are the best, and dyno-ing proved it to him. Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

11-02-2007, 10:45 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I've always been told that ram horn manifolds are the best flowing manifolds ever made, and that they outflow many cheap headers.

11-02-2007, 10:47 PM	#4
75gmc454 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MS Posts: 479	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I just bought an original 350 engine out of a 72, to restore my cheyenne super. The exhaust manifolds were gone. I was wondering what kind it is supposed to have. Are the center dump manifolds correct, because I want a correct resto. Aren't they 2 1/4 also?

11-02-2007, 10:50 PM	#5
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,158	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I'm no big time engine builder but I believe the horns are plenty for most any stock engined daily driver. Even do very well with some mod'ed engines. For all out racing, headers will always be the choice. But if having headers on a street only dd is what one wants then it's ok. Some just like the sound they add to the exhaust note. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-03-2007, 06:49 AM	#6
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Exhaust manifold choices i asked the same question a couple years ago. Some one directed me to a earlier post telling the specific year(s) vette spark plug set to get. that made all the difference in the daunting task of not burning out plug wires. the front wires are long and can go under the engine as opposed to going over the manifold. i still have to put a insualting boot over cylinder #6 plug wire. that one always burns up.

11-03-2007, 07:41 AM	#7
Bowtie001 Project underway - finally. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 493	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I understand what everyone is saying (and thanks for the responses) but my question is more along the lines of which manifolds I should get. I was wondering if anyone had compared the ramhorns with a newer style such as the F body LT1 manifolds, which are still ramhorn-ish but dump at the rear and are sure to have benefited from years of computational fluid dynamics... I didn't know if they would fit, but they are less 'hoopy', that is, they don't come up between exhaust ports as much, and they looked like routing spark plugs would be easier, plus they are 2.5" I think. Anyone? -Brian __________________ 1972 GMC Pre-resto... awaiting allocated funding.

11-03-2007, 07:56 AM	#8
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Exhaust manifold choices If I were to spend $ on new manifolds I'd buy the center dump ram horns. I've been changing plugs in this style truck since I was 13, and guess I'm just use to it. That would be my suggestion based off my experience. In the end its really up to you though. Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

11-03-2007, 08:09 AM	#9
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Exhaust manifold choices FWIW plug wire routing is no issue at all with the ram horns if you run them underneath like they were designed. they stay cool and you dont burn your hands changing plugs like you do with bottom or top log style.

11-03-2007, 08:35 AM	#10
aventur1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 676	Re: Exhaust manifold choices So how much difference performance wise is the angle ram horn compare with the corvette rams that go straight down? I have the angle rams now and a set of corvette rams. Is it worth the swap and adjust the exhaust pipe to fit? Last edited by aventur1; 11-03-2007 at 08:36 AM. Reason: spelling

11-03-2007, 02:44 PM	#11
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I honestly dont know what the difference would be. I understand that the center dump ram horn is a good equalizer for exhaust pressure on each bank. Combine that with an equalizer header just before the mufflers & your engine will "purrrrr" as my beautiful wife says! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

11-03-2007, 03:50 PM	#12
aventur1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 676	Re: Exhaust manifold choices Thanks, just may have to change out just for the heck of it.

11-03-2007, 08:47 PM	#13
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,158	Re: Exhaust manifold choices If I'm not mistaken the center dump ram horns are too close to the crossmember on 2 wd trucks but fine on 4 wd ones. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-03-2007, 09:03 PM	#14
Texasdeere Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 732	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I am not positive on this, but I believe the Vette manifolds are 2.5" dumps and the others (car & truck) are either 2" or 2.25". Most likely 2.25". If I had a small block 350 or similar with a mild cam and intake setup I would go with the Vette manifolds, if you can still get the custom 90 degree down pipes with mini starter. Otherwise they only fit a 4WD.

11-03-2007, 10:23 PM	#15
aventur1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 676	Re: Exhaust manifold choices I saw how close they are and how a tight turn it would be to miss. Some where I saw a kit that works with the corvette ram horns for our trucks here on the forum, looked like a 90* pipe with a flange to hook to the ram horn then to the exhaust pipe and out.



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