? Quality of RamHorns "Dorman"

[ck5566]

I have seen from 2 or 3 Catalog Stores RamHorns going from $100 to $200 a set & even only one for $120 to $180 each.

I have found some from Summit Racing for $188.90 for both P/N's L-674-201 & R-674-199 from Dorman's product line of Exhaust Manifolds and am wondering if any body has used these or know of any body that has, hence the ? Quality of Ram Horns "Dorman" ?

thanks; ck5566

[71swb4x4]

I bought a pair a year ago and took them back the moment I opened the box. I wanted something that looked stock, and the Dorman ones weren't even close. That's my opinion, you might think they look close enough, or maybe you don't even care how they look.

[NJRC10]

I just had to buy the 674-199 from summit as my original cracked on the way back from a super chevy event last Sunday and I could not find a good original replacement. It came with plugs that stick out so I went to the hardware store and bought Allen heads that fit flush so it looks better. It is quality part just not quiet original!!!

[Mr Handy]

I have been running a set of the replacement ram horns for over a year now with no complaints. I took a flap disk to them and smoothed them out a bit and I think they look pretty good.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by NJRC10

I just had to buy the 674-199 from summit as my original cracked on the way back from a super chevy event last Sunday and I could not find a good original replacement. It came with plugs that stick out so I went to the hardware store and bought Allen heads that fit flush so it looks better. It is quality part just not quiet original!!!

So as for the quality part of them are they close to the thickness as an original one would be, but the looks aren't just quite the same being all the bosses part of them just don't match the originals?

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I bought a pair a year ago and took them back the moment I opened the box. I wanted something that looked stock, and the Dorman ones weren't even close. That's my opinion, you might think they look close enough, or maybe you don't even care how they look.

I guess looks really don't need to be so correct looking but the way they flow is what I like about the horns.

[69chevy lwb]

If you're not obsessed with originally take a look at what speedway offers the true ram or whatever they are called are one of my favorites but if you run raw stainless it will turn gold with heat. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Search?query=Ram+horn+

[FlameOut]

I have the replacements on my 72 k10. They may not look 100% original, but they work just fine. Most trucks today are far from original anyhow, with all of the bagging and non stock wheels. I think I may have bought mine through advanceauto, using one of their codes for $40 off of $100

[Mr Handy]

here are a couple pics of mine, that i could dig up. After I smoothed them out I painted them with some of the VHT flame proof paint and so far it is holding up nicely

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

here are a couple pics of mine, that i could dig up. After I smoothed them out I painted them with some of the VHT flame proof paint and so far it is holding up nicely

And these were bought from where?

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

here are a couple pics of mine, that i could dig up. After I smoothed them out I painted them with some of the VHT flame proof paint and so far it is holding up nicely

with all that grinding is there still some meat n potatoes left on the bone? LOL, not to thin in the spots of grinding? can you take pic's of them laying flat looking at them at a side view as so to show what and how much was ground off. They look good to me.

[bollybib]

I have the Dorman ram's horn style manifolds on my truck and my Vette. They run fine. Installation may take a bit of tweaking, the castings can bulge out in unexpected places. I had to remove material on the outlet flanges and raised bosses; places where there's plenty of meat. If you get a real bad one you can always exchange or return it if you haven't hacked it up yet.

They look very nearly like the stock units and work just fine. A coating of POR Hi-Temp paint or equal makes them look real nice and prevents rust. RockAuto has the Dormans for under $90 each plus some from one other vendor about the same price.

This is one I used on my Vette motor. Most truck units have the angled outlet but in general they both look about the same.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by bollybib

I have the Dorman ram's horn style manifolds on my truck and my Vette. They run fine. Installation may take a bit of tweaking, the castings can bulge out in unexpected places. I had to remove material on the outlet flanges and raised bosses; places where there's plenty of meat. If you get a real bad one you can always exchange or return it if you haven't hacked it up yet.

They look very nearly like the stock units and work just fine. A coating of POR Hi-Temp paint or equal makes them look real nice and prevents rust. RockAuto has the Dormans for under $90 each plus some from one other vendor about the same price.

This is one I used on my Vette motor. Most truck units have the angled outlet but in general they both look about the same.

Attachment 1529442

Not bad looking at all.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

here are a couple pics of mine, that i could dig up. After I smoothed them out I painted them with some of the VHT flame proof paint and so far it is holding up nicely

That's a pretty clean look

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by NJRC10

I just had to buy the 674-199 from summit as my original cracked on the way back from a super chevy event last Sunday and I could not find a good original replacement. It came with plugs that stick out so I went to the hardware store and bought Allen heads that fit flush so it looks better. It is quality part just not quiet original!!!

Pretty good idea there.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by bollybib

I have the Dorman ram's horn style manifolds on my truck and my Vette. They run fine. Installation may take a bit of tweaking, the castings can bulge out in unexpected places. I had to remove material on the outlet flanges and raised bosses; places where there's plenty of meat. If you get a real bad one you can always exchange or return it if you haven't hacked it up yet.

They look very nearly like the stock units and work just fine. A coating of POR Hi-Temp paint or equal makes them look real nice and prevents rust. RockAuto has the Dormans for under $90 each plus some from one other vendor about the same price.

This is one I used on my Vette motor. Most truck units have the angled outlet but in general they both look about the same.

Attachment 1529442

Hows the fitment with the TH 400, did you use 400 lines or the 350 lines in your truck?

[bollybib]

ck5566: My truck has the angled outlet type. Not sure what you mean by lines. No connection between manifolds and tranny as far as I know. Clearances for the exhaust pipes were fine.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by bollybib

ck5566: My truck has the angled outlet type. Not sure what you mean by lines. No connection between manifolds and tranny as far as I know. Clearances for the exhaust pipes were fine.

I have been told that when using the RamHorns and a 700R4 trans most have used the TH350 cooler lines, they say this combo works well together. I was just curious about the clearance of the lines running by the exhaust manifold right side.

[bollybib]

Mine's all stock with a TH400 so I couldn't say about any modifications. If you know how to fab steel lines, make your own. Otherwise, learn, you'll be glad you did.

[NJRC10]

They work well with a 700r4. I replaced my turbo 350 with a 700r4 and no line Clearance issues at all.

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by NJRC10

They work well with a 700r4. I replaced my turbo 350 with a 700r4 and no line Clearance issues at all.

Your truck is 67-72 I take it? and you left the TH350 cooler lines in place to install the 700R4?

[NJRC10]

Yes 1972 factory short bed 350/350. I replaced both with a crate ZZ3/700r4. Yes the 350 cooler lines worked fine. Best thing I have done to my truck to make driving more fun!!!

[ck5566]

Originally Posted by NJRC10

Yes 1972 factory short bed 350/350. I replaced both with a crate ZZ3/700r4. Yes the 350 cooler lines worked fine. Best thing I have done to my truck to make driving more fun!!!

On the west coast we have a good place to buy parts from that sells GM Restoration Parts. Also has a Catalog & a On Line shopping deal. Its called "The Truck Shop (TruckandCarShop.com, in Orange, CA 92868, 800-243-8947.
In there catalog they list cooler lines for a 71-72 2WD,V8,TH700R4 just might be the ticket for the combo SBC/700R4 install.