Budget-friendly headers for LS swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

downbytheriver · 09-20-2023, 10:23 AM

Have a 5.3 project I'm back on. Taking the turbo stuff off now and just going NA for a while.

Which inexpensive stainless headers work with the ECE mounts? I see thorleys etc but they seem to be out of business and they're a grand. Would like long tubes. I am certainly not above ebay headers, as these are temporary.

**clay68c10** · 09-20-2023, 02:43 PM

The Speed Engineering headers are what I'm running. I don't know what mounts they clear. They're under $400
The Holley/Hooker/Speedway mount setup I have required some "clearance creating", but nothing crazy.

downbytheriver · 09-20-2023, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clay68c10

The Speed Engineering headers are what I'm running. I don't know what mounts they clear. They're under $400
The Holley/Hooker/Speedway mount setup I have required some "clearance creating", but nothing crazy.

Those look like a great deal.

I see they mention having to clearance the ears off the 4L80. Which trans are you running?

LS short box · 09-20-2023, 04:45 PM

I used the Speedway Engineering SS 1 3/4" long tubes on my 68 C10 LS swap. They fit well and did not leak. I know they are made in China but I can't afford a $1200 set of headers.

**clay68c10** · 09-21-2023, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downbytheriver

Those look like a great deal.

I see they mention having to clearance the ears off the 4L80. Which trans are you running?

TKO500, no clearance problems there.
I wouldn't be put off by removing those ears though. Not a big deal.

D-n-Tyke · 09-22-2023, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by downbytheriver

Those look like a great deal.

I see they mention having to clearance the ears off the 4L80. Which trans are you running?

I installed these on mine with a 4L80. I did have to cut off a portion of the ear on the pass side of the bell housing. That part of the ear doesn't interface with anything so removing has no impact on the trans or engine. They worked out great and I wouldn't have any issue uaing them again.

LS short box · 09-23-2023, 04:36 PM

Just a tip on protecting the spark plug wires. If they don't come with the engine I go to the local salvage yard and get a set of the metal spark plug boot protectors.
See pic.

downbytheriver · 09-27-2023, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS short box

Just a tip on protecting the spark plug wires. If they don't come with the engine I go to the local salvage yard and get a set of the metal spark plug boot protectors.
See pic.

I moved my coilpacks to inside the frame rail to hide them, so I'll have to come up with something to protect them at a custom length, but great idea.

downbytheriver · 09-27-2023, 01:26 PM

I've been out of this project for years, and am just getting back into it, but I noticed I may have to do shortys because of this lokar 4l80 linkage. Looks pretty close to being right in the way.

edit: not sure why this picture is rotated

coldrider · 09-27-2023, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-n-Tyke

I installed these on mine with a 4L80. I did have to cut off a portion of the ear on the pass side of the bell housing. That part of the ear doesn't interface with anything so removing has no impact on the trans or engine. They worked out great and I wouldn't have any issue uaing them again.

Had the same experience, trimmed the passenger side ear with 1-7/8 speed engineering and 4L80E

Quote:

Originally Posted by downbytheriver

I've been out of this project for years, and am just getting back into it, but I noticed I may have to do shortys because of this lokar 4l80 linkage. Looks pretty close to being right in the way.

Maybe just my monitor, but hard to see the issue in that pic. But I do remember having clearance trouble with my Lokar-style shift linkage (Summit brand) until I moved the lower rod end to the inside of the shift arm between the arm and the transmission/pan. Its still close, but I don't remember having to modify anything else to get it to clear.

**Accelo** · 09-27-2023, 05:28 PM

I also use the Speedway shorty headers.
I used the ceramic booted plug wires.
The flange is thick enough not to leak and the welding was amazing.
The headers themselves are stainless but very thin.
The only issue I had was getting the exhaust welded to the header extension.
The SS is so thin the weld wanted to burn through the SS extension.
A great deal for the money spent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/39456185808...3ABFBMzrrYiNti
$209.00

Longtubes
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26395067311...Bk9SR7DX4IjbYg
$270.00

09-20-2023, 10:23 AM	#1
downbytheriver Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 195	Budget-friendly headers for LS swap Have a 5.3 project I'm back on. Taking the turbo stuff off now and just going NA for a while. Which inexpensive stainless headers work with the ECE mounts? I see thorleys etc but they seem to be out of business and they're a grand. Would like long tubes. I am certainly not above ebay headers, as these are temporary. __________________ 68 SWB 5.3 turbo build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=578220

09-20-2023, 02:43 PM	#2
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,987	Re: Budget-friendly headers for LS swap The Speed Engineering headers are what I'm running. I don't know what mounts they clear. They're under $400 The Holley/Hooker/Speedway mount setup I have required some "clearance creating", but nothing crazy. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

09-20-2023, 04:45 PM	#4
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,131	Re: Budget-friendly headers for LS swap I used the Speedway Engineering SS 1 3/4" long tubes on my 68 C10 LS swap. They fit well and did not leak. I know they are made in China but I can't afford a $1200 set of headers.

09-23-2023, 04:36 PM	#7
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,131	Re: Budget-friendly headers for LS swap Just a tip on protecting the spark plug wires. If they don't come with the engine I go to the local salvage yard and get a set of the metal spark plug boot protectors. See pic. Attached Images

09-27-2023, 01:26 PM	#9
downbytheriver Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saint Augustine, FL Posts: 195	Re: Budget-friendly headers for LS swap I've been out of this project for years, and am just getting back into it, but I noticed I may have to do shortys because of this lokar 4l80 linkage. Looks pretty close to being right in the way. edit: not sure why this picture is rotated Attached Images __________________ 68 SWB 5.3 turbo build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=578220

09-27-2023, 05:28 PM	#11
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,295	Re: Budget-friendly headers for LS swap I also use the Speedway shorty headers. I used the ceramic booted plug wires. The flange is thick enough not to leak and the welding was amazing. The headers themselves are stainless but very thin. The only issue I had was getting the exhaust welded to the header extension. The SS is so thin the weld wanted to burn through the SS extension. A great deal for the money spent. https://www.ebay.com/itm/39456185808...3ABFBMzrrYiNti $209.00 Longtubes https://www.ebay.com/itm/26395067311...Bk9SR7DX4IjbYg $270.00



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