Headers for LS3/1952 Chev PU

[Gabbyp]

I am trying to find a set of headers for installing a 4.8LS into my 1952 Chev PU. The stock headers are to wide requiring severe notching of the frame. The only company I found was Sanderson but big bucks and were plain steel and coated. I contacted Speed Engineering, based on positive results on this site, but they do not have one for this installation. They said their later model PU set had the tightest bends and might fit but they did not have any info.
I was watching the Iron Resurrection TV show where they put a LS3 into a 1950 PU with a custom frame that was a replication of the original frame. The headers looked like Stainless and fit the narrow frame. I sent them an e-mail asking who the manufacturer is but have nor received a reply.
My question is has any one done this type of conversion into earlier Chevy PU's and what headers were used. My last resort is to use the cast iron Hooker manifolds but want headers.
Thanks

[mongocanfly]

you want headers or manifolds? ls3 manifolds might work..but there's several builds here with headers...

[Gabbyp]

I prefer headers but as a last resort use Hooker manifolds. I have installed a No-Limit front suspension and have plated the inside frame rails so any modification to the frame is out of the question.

[jocww]

If they let you know let me know too please, Im running the same problem, I might have to tig up a set, but I dont want to have to do that unless I have to. That little seat belt trick for the tailgate was cool

[Gabbyp]

I received a reply from Martin Brothers and the said they bought them from Racing Innovation and Supply. I went to their site and it looks like they have a generic list of LS headers but no info on my setup. I have to call them to see what specific unit they have. I was surprised to hear from Martin Brothers. Sounds like a good company to do business with if I want a full custom build.

[e015475]

" I might have to tig up a set, but I don't want to....."

I built headers for my LS motor in my '49 - I'd strongly advise not to do this if you have any other alternative even if it is the cast manifolds from Hooker. The cost of the stainless mandrel bends, flanges and coatings bumped $800 and I spent several months (after work and weekends) making them.






Note dimples in inner fender well to accommodate radius of available mandrel bends

[jocww]

Wow those look amazing. I was going to buy the summit kit that had all the bends if they still have them.

[MIKESAD50]

I ran into the same problem. I used the LS3 in a Art Morrison frame and tried several sets. Ended up with set made from Art Morrison and they are a very tight fit and very pricey.
Hooker manifolds are a good option.
EO15475, those are very nice, you did a great job and truck is awesome also

[e015475]

I tried Camaro shortys and long tubes and GTO long tubes and they didn't fit. I also tried the Corvette stainless center dump manifolds. The problem with mine is the engine is back about 3" from where most folks put them, and I wanted to have the stock pedal mechanism and a manual transmission. The rear-steer rack Jag front suspension didn't help either and I didn't want three universal joints and a center support.

I've built a few headers for cars and airplanes, and the AD truck was the most challenging to date because of the close frame. Trial and error with actual mandrel bends is time consuming and expensive, so I used 'header legos' from ICE Engine Works in San Antonio Texas. Here's a pic of one of the many mock-ups in ICE 'legos' I did.



I bought all my mandrel bends from Columbia River, flanges too. I think you'll find that you'll need an assortment of different center-line-radius bend to make a good design that are unlikely to be in the Summit kit (or anybody's for that matter)

The merge collectors I bought were inexpensive ebay ones that I welded on instead of slip-on (they'd of always leaked)

I Googled the Art Morrison stainless headers. Knowing what I know now, I think I'd swallow hard and buy them. With the cost of materials (but not including the ICE legos) I paid myself about $5/hr to make them myself.

[jocww]

Damn, anybody know what are the part numbers for the hooker and sanderson headers are?? My dad is going to head up to summit tomorrow.

5 bucks an hr, yea I might have to save up. Ive already dropped soo much money these past 3 months though.

[NC_John]

I dropped off my set of speed engineering long tubes to profab (https://www.profabrication.com) on Friday to get some v-bands welded on. These guys do all race stuff and have a heck of a resume listing who runs their exhaust (jimmy johnson #48 championship cars for example).

My point - They said a set of their custom headers (again being mindful of their usual clientele) is around $5-6K. I was told there are so many labor hours to build a set they actually have a small margin on those jobs. (Based on my job that rate is pretty high though!)

The nice thing about living here in this part of NC is all the local access to these guys/vendors. They are everywhere. My old truck has had a lot of help from guys in the race industry. The not-so-nice thing is you get what you pay for and these guys are good.

[Gabbyp]

This is an update to my initial post. I purchased Speed Engineering and have installed them on my 52 Chevy truck. This is a mockup as I have not welded any mounts to the frame. My concern was is the narrow frame rails would not allow clearance. They fit with clearance on both sides. I have an early 4l60e trans from a 1990's truck again for mockup and the O2 connectors rub against the trans flanges on both sides. I don't know if the correct 4l60e for an LS engine would have this rubbing concern. Some members have ground down the flanges to give clearances. So far I think this is going to work. Pictures show the rubbing concern. Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated.