Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ebry710 · 10-02-2010, 02:34 PM

I have thought of headers on my second engine, but ram horn manifolds seen to do what I want which is gain access to plugs while ending sharpe turns in the manifold.
Is there much of a power loss by using the ram horns?
Is my reasoning correct?

71meangreenc10 · 10-02-2010, 03:05 PM

I like them......

Smitty

msgross · 10-02-2010, 03:34 PM

I have heard tons of stories about headers leaking... they also have corvette 2.5" ramhorns if you need more flow...

Kerry P · 10-02-2010, 03:50 PM

About 25 years ago (or so) I saw a magazine dyno test. If I remember correctly the Rams Horn cast manifolds were better than most headers to about 2500 rpm on a typical 350 CID street engine.

Kerry P

Andy4639 · 10-02-2010, 05:38 PM

I have been running the Corvette horns for the extra flow. They are also easier to mount the extra's on also. A/C alternator.
Headers you have to use spacers and other stuff to have them work. They leak, break turn color's and are a hell of a time getting the plugs out and back in plus they burn up spark plug wires pretty quickly!

67_C-30 · 10-02-2010, 06:38 PM

I would not take the ram horns off for headers unless it was a race vehicle. The only headers I would put on a daily driver is one with 3/8" or thicker flanges and ball and socket collectors. However, these are so expensive, I can't justify the cost for so little gain. You could not give me a set of regular headers with the standard 3 bolt collectors for daily driver...

**Stocker** · 10-02-2010, 06:53 PM

I'd run headers on a high-horsepower, high-rpm engine.... for anything else, ramhorns, especially on a streetable torquey truck engine.

big mike71 · 10-02-2010, 07:31 PM

I like my headers they look good and sound good. I don't about horsepower gains or losses.

cparman · 10-02-2010, 08:11 PM

Rams horns are almost zero maintenance, and like Andy said are easier to mount accessories.

R.L. · 10-02-2010, 08:30 PM

Ram horns are the way to go on most vehicles.

raycow · 10-02-2010, 08:47 PM

I have ram's horns on my 60 and I wouldn't run anything else on a daily driver.

Ray

scooterskoolkustoms · 10-02-2010, 09:12 PM

rams horns are the next best thing to headers.

GASoline71 · 10-02-2010, 09:14 PM

For a bone stocker or a mild build... The Ram-horn manifolds are great.

Gary

**Stocker** · 10-02-2010, 09:24 PM

I might as well confess -- back in the late sixties, I put a set of Hooker equal-length headers on my '65 Corvette roadster and I discarded the 2.5" ram horns. The car had a 327/365HP engine with a factory redline at 6500 rpm, which it could easily do in 4th gear -- a strong, lively engine. I never timed it, but it sure felt stronger with the Hookers.... and with solid lifters, it sounded fantastic!

Now I'm older and my K20 is no Corvette.... so no headers for this truck.

*Ticker* · 10-02-2010, 09:32 PM

Rams-horn manifolds are going to give up about 5-10% HP/TQ and 1-2 MPG even on a mild engine to a decent set of headers. Properly installed they're trouble-free and quiet.

GMCBubba · 10-02-2010, 11:32 PM

that's funny, in the engine and drivetrain forum, i asked this same question about my "mild" 383 and everyone said to use the cheap flowtech headers i have instead of sticking with the rams. okay, not *everyone* but there wasn't much rams support.

llowlife · 10-02-2010, 11:58 PM

Depends on what you are looking for...I love my headers (3/8 flange / ball and socket collector) but the rams horn manifolds are pretty ez to maintain. Back when we ran a street stock I cut a set of rams in half and augered them out. Welded em back together, ground the welds and threw them out in the rain for a season before running them. They made a noticeable difference in power over the stock rams but these were built motors. Still got about 15 sets of them. Sometimes they shrink a little which makes it enjoyable to get them back on without reaming the outside holes a bit though.

ZKinZ · 10-03-2010, 01:25 AM

The guy who did my exhaust builds street rods and drag cars. I was going to put headers on when I got the new exhaust and he said that unless I'm planning on racing the truck, I'd be wasting my money and that I probably wouldn't notice a difference driving it on the street. I don't have a basis for comparison, but I think he probably knows what he's talking about.

**oldgold70c10** · 10-03-2010, 11:21 AM

If you'd rather be spending time driving your truck instead of tightening header bolts and changing burned wires, stick with the ramshorns. They look cool too, IMHO.

*Ticker* · 10-03-2010, 12:04 PM

Not to be

, but you will absolutely notice a 5-10% increase in power on the street.

It's an age-old debate that probably (?) isn't going to be solved here

Headers = more power, more maintenence, medium to high effort for installation.
Manifolds = less power, zero maintenence, usually zero effort for installation.

Manifolds start to really hurt power at about 1 HP/CID - anything over that, and you're wasting money.

Header maintenence can be reduced with quality headers, good gaskets, the right bolts and careful wiring routing.

In the end, you gotta decide where your priorities are

'72customdeluxe · 10-03-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKinZ

The guy who did my exhaust builds street rods and drag cars. I was going to put headers on when I got the new exhaust and he said that unless I'm planning on racing the truck, I'd be wasting my money and that I probably wouldn't notice a difference driving it on the street. I don't have a basis for comparison, but I think he probably knows what he's talking about.

I've had both on two different 350's, he doesn't. With copper gaskets they don't leak, plug access is much improved, and no wires are near the headers going over the valve covers. If you lose torque, tune the thing..
Reboxed flowtech ceramics from summit. One of my manifolds broke (on both trucks) and it was cheaper to just get headers
Posted via Mobile Device

InkedinRI · 04-18-2011, 02:57 PM

i have ram horns on my truck with flow masters. sounds good. here is a video

YouTube - My 1968 chevy C10 at an idle

68gmsee · 04-18-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCBubba

that's funny, in the engine and drivetrain forum, i asked this same question about my "mild" 383 and everyone said to use the cheap flowtech headers i have instead of sticking with the rams. okay, not *everyone* but there wasn't much rams support.

All those guys are or used to be "hot rodders!"

Years ago I took my rams off on my 69 with a 350 and installed shorty headers on it. It was a daily driver and other than the sound I didn't see much difference in the way it drove. I went back to the rams horn because I wanted to tone it down some.

Gene · 04-18-2011, 08:21 PM

Have had rams horns and headers on my engine (mild 350). I'm going back to rams horns, absolutely no difference at the seat from one to another, I dont care what anyone says, I know I felt no difference. And yes they were a decent set of headers.

m6z · 04-20-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I would not take the ram horns off for headers unless it was a race vehicle. The only headers I would put on a daily driver is one with 3/8" or thicker flanges and ball and socket collectors. However, these are so expensive, I can't justify the cost for so little gain. You could not give me a set of regular headers with the standard 3 bolt collectors for daily driver...

+1

If you're going to run headers pony up the money to buy quality ones with thick flanges or you will be chaseing leaks all the time.

10-02-2010, 02:34 PM	#1
ebry710 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 131	Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I have thought of headers on my second engine, but ram horn manifolds seen to do what I want which is gain access to plugs while ending sharpe turns in the manifold. Is there much of a power loss by using the ram horns? Is my reasoning correct? __________________ 1971 Chevy C-20 Flatbed SBC350/Turbo 350 "Torque Is Controlled Power"

10-02-2010, 03:05 PM	#2
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,159	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I like them...... Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

10-02-2010, 03:34 PM	#3
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I have heard tons of stories about headers leaking... they also have corvette 2.5" ramhorns if you need more flow... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

10-02-2010, 03:50 PM	#4
Kerry P Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Harrison Arkansas Posts: 164	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? About 25 years ago (or so) I saw a magazine dyno test. If I remember correctly the Rams Horn cast manifolds were better than most headers to about 2500 rpm on a typical 350 CID street engine. Kerry P

10-02-2010, 05:38 PM	#5
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I have been running the Corvette horns for the extra flow. They are also easier to mount the extra's on also. A/C alternator. Headers you have to use spacers and other stuff to have them work. They leak, break turn color's and are a hell of a time getting the plugs out and back in plus they burn up spark plug wires pretty quickly! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

10-02-2010, 06:38 PM	#6
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I would not take the ram horns off for headers unless it was a race vehicle. The only headers I would put on a daily driver is one with 3/8" or thicker flanges and ball and socket collectors. However, these are so expensive, I can't justify the cost for so little gain. You could not give me a set of regular headers with the standard 3 bolt collectors for daily driver... __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-02-2010, 06:53 PM	#7
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,593	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I'd run headers on a high-horsepower, high-rpm engine.... for anything else, ramhorns, especially on a streetable torquey truck engine. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-02-2010, 07:31 PM	#8
big mike71 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: independence mo Posts: 2,111	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I like my headers they look good and sound good. I don't about horsepower gains or losses. __________________ I'm not as good as I once was, But I'm as good once as I ever was.

10-02-2010, 08:11 PM	#9
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Rams horns are almost zero maintenance, and like Andy said are easier to mount accessories. Attached Images

10-02-2010, 08:30 PM	#10
R.L. Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 687	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Ram horns are the way to go on most vehicles.

10-02-2010, 08:47 PM	#11
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I have ram's horns on my 60 and I wouldn't run anything else on a daily driver. Ray Last edited by raycow; 10-02-2010 at 08:49 PM.

10-02-2010, 09:12 PM	#12
scooterskoolkustoms Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: so cal Posts: 436	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? rams horns are the next best thing to headers. __________________ big old burb in primer.lot of work to do.

10-02-2010, 09:24 PM	#14
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,593	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? I might as well confess -- back in the late sixties, I put a set of Hooker equal-length headers on my '65 Corvette roadster and I discarded the 2.5" ram horns. The car had a 327/365HP engine with a factory redline at 6500 rpm, which it could easily do in 4th gear -- a strong, lively engine. I never timed it, but it sure felt stronger with the Hookers.... and with solid lifters, it sounded fantastic! Now I'm older and my K20 is no Corvette.... so no headers for this truck. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-02-2010, 09:32 PM	#15
Ticker Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 2,404	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Rams-horn manifolds are going to give up about 5-10% HP/TQ and 1-2 MPG even on a mild engine to a decent set of headers. Properly installed they're trouble-free and quiet. Last edited by Ticker; 10-02-2010 at 09:33 PM.

10-02-2010, 11:32 PM	#16
GMCBubba Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Simpsonville, SC Posts: 255	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? that's funny, in the engine and drivetrain forum, i asked this same question about my "mild" 383 and everyone said to use the cheap flowtech headers i have instead of sticking with the rams. okay, not everyone but there wasn't much rams support. __________________ 1969 GMC 3/4 ton, 307, 4-speed NP435GL, DANA 60, 4.10, HD rear leafs, manual everything, leaking oil and water. Now rocking 383, NV4500, power steering, power brakes. Finally undergoing restoration. Last edited by GMCBubba; 10-02-2010 at 11:41 PM.



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10-02-2010, 11:58 PM	#17
llowlife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Elgin Mn Posts: 112	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Depends on what you are looking for...I love my headers (3/8 flange / ball and socket collector) but the rams horn manifolds are pretty ez to maintain. Back when we ran a street stock I cut a set of rams in half and augered them out. Welded em back together, ground the welds and threw them out in the rain for a season before running them. They made a noticeable difference in power over the stock rams but these were built motors. Still got about 15 sets of them. Sometimes they shrink a little which makes it enjoyable to get them back on without reaming the outside holes a bit though. __________________ In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him , for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. I am a revolutionary...so my son can be a farmer...so his son can be a poet. If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, so my child may have peace... 72 short step w/ 388 /4l80e/ and 3.08 gears.

10-03-2010, 01:25 AM	#18
ZKinZ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 40	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? The guy who did my exhaust builds street rods and drag cars. I was going to put headers on when I got the new exhaust and he said that unless I'm planning on racing the truck, I'd be wasting my money and that I probably wouldn't notice a difference driving it on the street. I don't have a basis for comparison, but I think he probably knows what he's talking about. __________________ ~Zack '71 Chevy C10 LWB '01 Harley Softail

10-03-2010, 11:21 AM	#19
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? If you'd rather be spending time driving your truck instead of tightening header bolts and changing burned wires, stick with the ramshorns. They look cool too, IMHO. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

10-03-2010, 12:04 PM	#20
Ticker Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 2,404	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Not to be , but you will absolutely notice a 5-10% increase in power on the street. It's an age-old debate that probably (?) isn't going to be solved here Headers = more power, more maintenence, medium to high effort for installation. Manifolds = less power, zero maintenence, usually zero effort for installation. Manifolds start to really hurt power at about 1 HP/CID - anything over that, and you're wasting money. Header maintenence can be reduced with quality headers, good gaskets, the right bolts and careful wiring routing. In the end, you gotta decide where your priorities are Last edited by Ticker; 10-03-2010 at 03:38 PM.

04-18-2011, 08:21 PM	#24
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: Ram Horn Manifold - Any Reason To Change? Have had rams horns and headers on my engine (mild 350). I'm going back to rams horns, absolutely no difference at the seat from one to another, I dont care what anyone says, I know I felt no difference. And yes they were a decent set of headers.

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