ram horns or headers? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hjalbert · 08-28-2002, 10:52 PM

My uncle is considering going to get some headers, i told him to hold off and let me find out the benefits of ram horns vs headers, i am talking about the 2 1/2 inche ones i guess, or the bigger the better, but anyw ay here is my question, over all which is better,2 1/2 inc ram horns or headers?

also where can the 2 1/2 inch ram horns be found?

Longhorn Man · 08-28-2002, 11:02 PM

If I'm not mistaken, the 2 1/2 ram horn manifolds were only on corvettes, and geting a set would be kinda pricey.
A cheap set of headers will outflow a ported set of manifolds any day of the week.
RAM HORN PROS
Looks stock.
Less likely to leak.
Less starter heat soak.
Easier to access the starter
If it's a 67/8, mounting provisions for stock belt driven stuff.
Last long. (although after 30 years...who knows when it'll break)

PROS FOR HEADERS
Cheaper than replacing with Ram Horns *some exceptions of course*
Better gas mileage. *nominal*
more torque.
more horse power.
easier to run exhaust.
Easier to remove exhaust for tranny work or engine removal.
Manly upgrade.

**JIMs70GMC** · 08-30-2002, 12:01 PM

I paid $86 a piece for 1962 corvette ramhorns, these are new castings. I bought them from gmperformanceparts.com .

Mike C · 08-30-2002, 02:00 PM

I paid $78 apiece for my Rams Horns. They replaced a pretty well made set of Heddman Hedders that had just worn out. With a mild cam, I noticed no real loss in HP, but low speed torque improved significantly. No longer are header leaks or collector blow out a problem, but the truck is quieter, and theoretically, power should be increased in the low and midrange because of the extra heat contained in the upper part of the exhaust, alos underhood temps are significantly lower. There is a lot of hype to headers, and there is no doubt that above the 400 hp mark are desireable. Anybody remember the 9 sec 1.4 mile 'vette in Hot Rod about 4 years ago with iron manifolds and a Q-jet? IMO, go with the rams horns and 2 1/2" exhaust with Walker Hemi Turbo mufflers.

bigjimzlll · 08-30-2002, 06:42 PM

It depends on a lot of variables....the majority of the time you will see a torque and horse power increase.. now if your running stock 305 heads on a 350..I doupt you would see much affect, but if you have a performance cam, and or heads that flow well, the scavenging effect of the long tubes will help move more air through the motor..more air=more power..and thats a realitive statement..if your 283 is making 200 h/p..a free flowing exhaust with headers will increase by around 8-10 percent over stock..if your 383 with afr 195 heads is making 350 h/p with stock exhaust, a switch to the right headers and exaust can equate to well over 400 h/p a gain of 12-16 percent.. be sides as longhorn said..its the manly thing to do...LOL

08-28-2002, 10:52 PM	#1
hjalbert cracker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,021	ram horns or headers? My uncle is considering going to get some headers, i told him to hold off and let me find out the benefits of ram horns vs headers, i am talking about the 2 1/2 inche ones i guess, or the bigger the better, but anyw ay here is my question, over all which is better,2 1/2 inc ram horns or headers? also where can the 2 1/2 inch ram horns be found? __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Harry John Albert III located in Phoenix, AZ 1972 GMC JIMMY, 1969 lwb Chevy Frame, 1999 bmw k1200 ltc 1992 Kawasaki concours 1991 bmw k75 1973 cortez motorhome

08-30-2002, 12:01 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I paid $86 a piece for 1962 corvette ramhorns, these are new castings. I bought them from gmperformanceparts.com . __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

08-30-2002, 02:00 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	I paid $78 apiece for my Rams Horns. They replaced a pretty well made set of Heddman Hedders that had just worn out. With a mild cam, I noticed no real loss in HP, but low speed torque improved significantly. No longer are header leaks or collector blow out a problem, but the truck is quieter, and theoretically, power should be increased in the low and midrange because of the extra heat contained in the upper part of the exhaust, alos underhood temps are significantly lower. There is a lot of hype to headers, and there is no doubt that above the 400 hp mark are desireable. Anybody remember the 9 sec 1.4 mile 'vette in Hot Rod about 4 years ago with iron manifolds and a Q-jet? IMO, go with the rams horns and 2 1/2" exhaust with Walker Hemi Turbo mufflers. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

08-30-2002, 06:42 PM	#5
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	It depends on a lot of variables....the majority of the time you will see a torque and horse power increase.. now if your running stock 305 heads on a 350..I doupt you would see much affect, but if you have a performance cam, and or heads that flow well, the scavenging effect of the long tubes will help move more air through the motor..more air=more power..and thats a realitive statement..if your 283 is making 200 h/p..a free flowing exhaust with headers will increase by around 8-10 percent over stock..if your 383 with afr 195 heads is making 350 h/p with stock exhaust, a switch to the right headers and exaust can equate to well over 400 h/p a gain of 12-16 percent.. be sides as longhorn said..its the manly thing to do...LOL __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

08-28-2002, 11:02 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	If I'm not mistaken, the 2 1/2 ram horn manifolds were only on corvettes, and geting a set would be kinda pricey. A cheap set of headers will outflow a ported set of manifolds any day of the week. RAM HORN PROS Looks stock. Less likely to leak. Less starter heat soak. Easier to access the starter If it's a 67/8, mounting provisions for stock belt driven stuff. Last long. (although after 30 years...who knows when it'll break) PROS FOR HEADERS Cheaper than replacing with Ram Horns some exceptions of course Better gas mileage. nominal more torque. more horse power. easier to run exhaust. Easier to remove exhaust for tranny work or engine removal. Manly upgrade.



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