2 1/8" Header options

[BossHogg69]

So I've got a 532" BB in the works - (Dart block 4.6" bore x 4.0" stroke) and I'm looking for a set of headers to go along with it. And before anyone questions the need for a 2 1/8" header, the motor with be around 775-800hp (N/A) & 7,000+ rpm, so I really don't want to comprise with a 2" primary. I am running factory stock inner fenders and the truck is lowered 5" in front, so any low hanging stuff is out of the question. On the 468" that I blew up a few months back I was running a set of Hedman Elites that were listed for a Chevelle/Monte Carlo/Camaro (68-72) and they fit well, but were only 1 3/4" primaries. Does anyone have any experience with something like this in a stock type chassis? I called Lemon's Headers (supposedly 'custom') but they don't do anything in 2 1/8" for the 67-72's, only 73-up. Most of the listings on Summit & Jeg's for BB headers (1 3/4") show the application listing from '67-87, so maybe the Lemon's 2 1/8" for 73-87 will fit, but I dont' want to drop $1400 to find out, since I can't return them. Another option would be a couple 2 1/8" listings I found for 68-72 Chevelles and 67-69 Camaros, but again, I don't want to waste time and money only to figure out they won't fit. I do plan on getting whatever headers I decide on in raw steel, so if they aren't perfect, I can make some 'adjustments' before having them coated.

Any insight is appreciated, sorry for the lengthy post.

edit: I'm running the '72 clamshell style motor mounts and have already trimmed them to fit the Chevelle headers I was previously running.

[gomeez63]

Mad dog headers

[BossHogg69]

All of their C10 listings are fenderwell exit, and I'm running stock inner fenders as stated above. I will give them a call and see if they do any custom stuff - I'll post any findings here.

[Blue Rat]

Keep us updated. I will be watching.

[pistonbroke800]

I'm running Chevelle headers on my '81 with 2'' primaries. Only modification needed was to the trans crossmember to let the exhaust pass through. I think if I needed 2 1/8'' that same style header would fit with very little modification. Maybe something for you to consider. The part number of mine is Hooker 2455.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by pistonbroke800

I'm running Chevelle headers on my '81 with 2'' primaries. Only modification needed was to the trans crossmember to let the exhaust pass through. I think if I needed 2 1/8'' that same style header would fit with very little modification. Maybe something for you to consider. The part number of mine is Hooker 2455.

I was already running Hedman #68198 A-body/Chevelle headers on my 468", had the exhaust tucked up also. They fit like a glove. The Hooker 2455's are known to fit C10's too. The only problem is that most, if not all of the Chevelle 2 1/8" primary headers have one tube that goes out and around the framerail on both sides. I've found a few listings for 2 1/8" headers for 67-69 Camaro's that are all in the framerail, but I don't know if they will clear the clamshell motormounts I'm using. I had to trim the driver side engine bracket to clear the Hedmans, which was no big deal, but now everything is powdercoated and 'finished' so I'm really not into re-fabbing anything on the frame or crossmember.

Lemon's makes a 2 1/8" primary w/3.5" collector for 73-87 trucks, I just don't know for sure if the frames are that similar that the headers will clear everything on inside the frame. I know the front suspension crossmembers are the same, I'm just not sure about anything else.

Here is what I'm working with.

[Captainfab]

The '73-'87 frames are a little different than the '63-'72 frames but IMO not in a way to affect header fitment. I have Hedman 69110 headers on the big block in my '66 Suburban. The only modification I had to make is to trim the top flange of the frame. That does not need to be done on the '68+ frames. With typical truck headers, you may have ground clearance issues since typically they hang down below the bottom of the frame. I don't know if the Lemon's headers hang down as low as Hedmans.

[BossHogg69]

Thanks for the input CaptainFab - the Lemon's 73-87 C10 application tuck up tight and the bottom of them is about even with the bottom of the framerail. They even call for a particular Powermaster mini-starter due to this, since the headers are close to the engine.

The hanging low issue is the reason I used the chevelle headers initially, because the Hedman truck headers I originally bought hung down very low, and my truck is lowered 5" in the front. The collector's where actually lower than the crossmember/lca, making them the first thing to touch the pavement if I ever bottomed out.

[Blue Rat]

BossHogg69.

Are we talking full length headers only?

[BossHogg69]

Yes, prefer full length. I believe I would be leaving quite a bit of tq/hp on the table if I used shorties.

[Captainfab]

As far as I know there shouldn't be any fitment difference between the frame rails with a '69 frame as compared to a '73-'87 frame.

[BossHogg69]

I think I may move forward on the Lemon's 2 1/8" primary with 3.5" collector. They are shipped in raw steel, so I can make some minor adjustments if needed before I send them out for coating, I have a welder and everything needed to do this. I had even considered getting a 'builder' kit and fabbing up my own, but I'm pretty sure I'd end up scratching the paint all to heck trying to get everything fit up. That would just delay the engine install even more.

Thanks again for the info Captain Fab. If anyone else has any info or even pics underhood of a '73-87 C10 Squarebody, that would be great.

[RICKSRAT]

Mark at Maddog made me a set of 2 1/8 X 4 and turned out nice.

[ptc]

Heres some kits by Dynatech from 2 1/8 - 2 3/8 primary. pretty nice stuff from them.

https://www.afcodynapro.com/store?se...exit%20headers

https://www.afcodynapro.com/store/br.../DragRacing-15

[BossHogg69]

Well, I called Mad Dog - Mark wasn't there, but the guy I talked to one the phone said they only do what they have on the website now.

Dynatech makes a 2 1/8" 67-69 Camaro street header ($579), and Hedman makes a 2 1/8" Husler (their race brand with tuned primaries) also for 67-69 Camaro for $809. Then there are the 73-87 Lemon's headers at $1400.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with the Hedman Huslers, the tube arrangement appears to be my best bet looking at the pics. I was going to order a piece 2 1/8" J-bend tubing to weld/splice in if I have to make any changes. I got an update from the shop doing my 532 and it won't be finished until late July/early August, so I have some extra time to figure things out.

[BossHogg69]

Here's a pic of the Hedman Huslers #65050, 67-69 Camaro. The tube for no. 2 cylinder is the only one that looks like it may need adjustment. 2.125" J-bends are $13 at Summit, so even if I move a tube or two I'm still saving some cash over a $1400 set of Lemon's headers. The Hedman #68198 I was using on the 468" were listed for 68-70 chevelle and 67-69 Camaro, and fit great, so I figured this would be a worthwhile shot.

[scoots71]

What did you end up using for headers I have a 71 bb and was thinking about trying the lemons

[BossHogg69]

Nothing yet, I'm still waiting on my engine. It's a month overdue already.

[BossHogg69]

Update - I ended up finding someone fairly local to me - Custom Craft Racing Headers in Midland, AR. My engine should be finished next week, but I've been hearing that for over a month. I'm pretty disappointed on how long the build took, but that's for another thread. I'm dropping the motor & trans in as soon as I get the engine and hauling the truck to Jim at Custom Craft to build/bent up a set of headers. Pics will soon follow.

[BossHogg69]

Well, I really didn't want end up waiting for custom headers or shell out the $1800 bucks it was gonna take to get a set, so I found a deal on some 2 1/8" Dynatech MuscleMaxx 2nd Gen F-body headers through Tick Performance (drop shipped straight from Dynatech). I'm pretty sure I'll have to relocate the tube on the driver's side that is meant to go up over the steering box on the Camaro, so I also bought a Dynatech 2 1/8" J-bend just in case. The headers came with reducers, nice band clamps, decent gaskets and bolts. I was pretty impressed that all that was included. For a little over $500, I was expecting just the headers themselves. I should be dropping everything in soon, so I'll update this at that time. Then after I get the headers fitting like I want, I'll send them to my local powdercoater for a ceramic black coating.

The last pic was just thrown in since I had the intake powdercoated black and thought it looked cool.

[68racer]

I run the 2 inch Hooker 2455 headers. I thought that if I needed a bigger pipe I could cut them off after the first bend and create a stepped header by slipping a bigger pipe on.

[BossHogg69]

The Dynatech's are 2 1/8", they're gonna fit whether they want to or not! When the motor was dyno'd I didn't have these headers yet, so it was dyno'd with a 2" header w/3" collector. It made 785hp/705tq. Builder & dyno operator concur that the 2" pipes cost me anywhere from 15-23hp, That's why I was pretty set on finding some 2 1/8" x 3.5" headers and making them work.

[BossHogg69]

After messing with the Dynatech Camaro headers for a couple days, I got the passenger side to fit by extending the length of each tube a couple of inches and pulling the collectors over a bit, but the driver's side was a total no-go, so I ended up taking the truck to Custom Craft to get a set of headers made. I took them the mufflers so they could ceramic coat all of it - I will take them the tailpipes and tips when I'm finished with those. The oil filter and starter access is good. Tubes are 2 1/8", collectors are 3.5" x 13". I plan on taking them back off and getting rid of the RTV red silicon they used on the heads, so I'll get more pics then.

[BossHogg69]

couple more

[Steve Cole]

That thing is going to be a monster!! Holy crap! The new headers look incredible. Are you ditching the side exit exhaust?