Headers or stock manifold?

[ppbr2001]

I bought an '85 High Sierra last month and was thinking of putting dual glasspaks on. Are headers the best way or should I stick with the manifolds?
Also should I swap the quadrajet for a 650 Edelbrock? The mileage really sux on this 305!

[Slofarmtruck]

Your answers all depend on your goal for the truck. Are you looking strictly for better mileage? What transmission do you have? Is the truck used for towing or hauling?

[big10ratrod77]

stock is best, manifolds are great you could find a set of corvette ram horns they flow better than stock and they dont warp like headers can.

heres a set that cost just as much as a set of headers
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/25-Inc...olds,9133.html

and they will last longer.

and man ill say one thing summit turbo mufflers they are a good combo couse the sound good under acceleration and quiet down when cruzein, glass packs are loud all the time, and a turbo muffler can provide more power and milage

as for the carb have your q-jet rebuilt or go with a jet stage 2 replacment, a q-jet can provide good mileage when tuned properly and driven considerably

also under the note of better milage good tune up (new plugs, wires, cap rotor, maby a hotter coil)

[old Rusty C10]

aah the wonderful 305 the power of a 6 with the mileage of an 8
stock is better for economy unless youre upgrading to an overdrive and efi you wont go better on economy.. for power well the sky is the limit but id start with a 350 motor

[ppbr2001]

Looking for better mileage considering fuel prices. Not gonna trailer anything with it. I think the tranny is a 700R4.

[35EmilioVasquez]

Originally Posted by big10ratrod77

stock is best, manifolds are great you could find a set of corvette ram horns they flow better than stock and they dont warp like headers can.

heres a set that cost just as much as a set of headers
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/25-Inc...olds,9133.html

and they will last longer.

and man ill say one thing summit turbo mufflers they are a good combo couse the sound good under acceleration and quiet down when cruzein, glass packs are loud all the time, and a turbo muffler can provide more power and milage

as for the carb have your q-jet rebuilt or go with a jet stage 2 replacment, a q-jet can provide good mileage when tuned properly and driven considerably

also under the note of better milage good tune up (new plugs, wires, cap rotor, maby a hotter coil)

will these fit on a 350

[big10ratrod77]

will these fit on a 350

they will fit most small blocks

[Geezer2]

305 will do what is has to do to move that size vehicle, previous poster said it best "power of a 6 and gas mileage of an 8". You can certainly make a 305 run, but at the expense of gas mileage.

I would stay with the OEM carb and manifolds.

[bigarmzz]

thats a pretty good price on those ramhorn manifolds

wander if newer accessories would bolt up to them? these "are" the higher horsepower type arent they? not those "truck" ones that didnt flow worth a crap?

Originally Posted by big10ratrod77

stock is best, manifolds are great you could find a set of corvette ram horns they flow better than stock and they dont warp like headers can.

heres a set that cost just as much as a set of headers
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/25-Inc...olds,9133.html

and they will last longer.

and man ill say one thing summit turbo mufflers they are a good combo couse the sound good under acceleration and quiet down when cruzein, glass packs are loud all the time, and a turbo muffler can provide more power and milage

as for the carb have your q-jet rebuilt or go with a jet stage 2 replacment, a q-jet can provide good mileage when tuned properly and driven considerably

also under the note of better milage good tune up (new plugs, wires, cap rotor, maby a hotter coil)

[ppbr2001]

Next question. 2 or 2 1/4 inch pipes?

[big10ratrod77]

wander if newer accessories would bolt up to them? these "are" the higher horsepower type arent they? not those "truck" ones that didnt flow worth a crap?

im perty sure they are the hipo versions and with a lil porting and polishin they could realy flow good

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Small-...olds,3823.html

heres another step up from the other manifolds check out the video from that page also

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKfkUO2Uu7E&feature...

on the exhaust note i think maby 2 inch pipe to the muffler and 2 1/4 after the muffler since its a 305. IF you wanna up grade to a 350 later on, ide go 2 1/4 all the way then. also all 350 and 305 parts are swapable so that prevents buying 2 of somthing that you dont need

[ppbr2001]

Thanks for the advice guys!! I just want it to sound good and not suck fuel like it's going out of style!!

I'll post a pic when I figger out how!!

[ppbr2001]

Figgered it out!!

[87fleetsidedude]

i have and 87 silverado with 305/700r4 it has true duals with glass packs..and stock manifolds and before i put my big a**ed stt tires on it i was getting around 18 mpg if i could keep my foot out of it..which is hard to do when you first get duals

[ppbr2001]

Originally Posted by 87fleetsidedude

i have and 87 silverado with 305/700r4 it has true duals with glass packs..and stock manifolds and before i put my big a**ed stt tires on it i was getting around 18 mpg if i could keep my foot out of it..which is hard to do when you first get duals

True. Very true.

[Old Yeller 1970]

I'd keep the stock manifolds and run dual exhaust. Unless you plan on major engine and hp upgrades later on I'd stick with the stock size exhaust which you'll be doubling up on anyway.