BBC Headers, A Question....

[idahovette]

The application chart lumps 88,89.90 together with the GMT version, and it lists them for 3/4 and 1 tons only?

 

[Mark Jones]

I'll let you know that headers even if they fit your engine are only helping the exhaust gas out at very high rpm. The header tube is larger than the exhaust port so the exhaust pressure drops and that causes the velocity to slow down. So unless you are racing they are going to reduce the amount of Hp your are making.

I would disagree.

 

[Catbox]

Not cheap by any means, Doug Thorley makes a set. Several different coating. None in stock at this time. Well made and fit the application.

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http://www.dougthorleyheaders.com/all/all/0/484/539/667/all

I have always liked those headers.
This is just me being frugal and looking at used sets that might suit my needs.
I know Chevelle headers will fit with a touch of hammer here and bit of bending there.
They will tuck up and work like a champ.

I would say it’s highly unlikely any headers meant for a GMT-400 application would work. The frame is significantly wider than a square body and if they are that tight on the application they are meant for, they probably won’t work at all on a square.

Ohhh good point, I had not thought of that one on the wideness of the newer frame.
Since I will probably not be swapping in a big block to the Suburban, I will just pass on these ones.

Thank you for the responses so far gentlemen.

I do have in my hands now a set of well used Camaro/Nova headers that came from a friend with the same hoarding issues I have. I dropped a steering box off at his house and mentioned that I wanted the headers off his big block Nova and he said "Just a minute, I have another set if you want them. They are a bit crusty, but still work." I couldn't say no....

So I will get those sand blasted up and painted.
Then we shall see just where we need to adjust them for the dreaded Z Bar clutch linkage.

If that is too much of a hassle, maybe the L-29 454 and its matching 4L80 will get stuck in the truck...

 

[Craig Nedrow]

1973 454 4x4 clears everything underneath, nary a problem.

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[shiftpro]

As for the headers, I went and bought them.
They are not going to work on my truck like @BoxChevyDually pointed out, the 3rd pipe on the driver side header is in the wrong position.
It will totally interfere with the chassis of the truck and I don't know if any amount of hammering will change that issue.

So the headers will hang out with me and we shall see if they are any better on my 1954 Bel Air.
If not, they will be sold down the road to a Vette feller for more than I paid for them of course.
They are brand new and have never even been bolted up to an engine...

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You could always buy a Corvette to use the headers! You don't know what fun is until you drive a Vette with a big block and 4 speed.

 

[Bextreme04]

1973 454 4x4 clears everything underneath, nary a problem.

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That's what I got for mine too. A guy had them locally for dirt cheap so I picked them up. They are a bit rusty so i'll clean them up and spray them with a high heat paint before I put them on. I need to weld in some O2 sensor bungs also. Just remember that the paint that is on them out of the box is not high heat and needs to be stripped and repainted before installation. If you don't, the paint will burn off with the first run and they will rust out badly very quick.

 

[bucket]

I have always liked those headers.
This is just me being frugal and looking at used sets that might suit my needs.
I know Chevelle headers will fit with a touch of hammer here and bit of bending there.
They will tuck up and work like a champ.



Ohhh good point, I had not thought of that one on the wideness of the newer frame.
Since I will probably not be swapping in a big block to the Suburban, I will just pass on these ones.

Thank you for the responses so far gentlemen.

I do have in my hands now a set of well used Camaro/Nova headers that came from a friend with the same hoarding issues I have. I dropped a steering box off at his house and mentioned that I wanted the headers off his big block Nova and he said "Just a minute, I have another set if you want them. They are a bit crusty, but still work." I couldn't say no....

So I will get those sand blasted up and painted.
Then we shall see just where we need to adjust them for the dreaded Z Bar clutch linkage.

If that is too much of a hassle, maybe the L-29 454 and its matching 4L80 will get stuck in the truck...

Neither of mine are a manual (yet, lol) but I have two trucks with Nova headers of two different brands. If it helps, I can get pictures of the area where the z-bar would be.

 

[Catbox]

Neither of mine are a manual (yet, lol) but I have two trucks with Nova headers of two different brands. If it helps, I can get pictures of the area where the z-bar would be.

That might be a interesting thing to look at.
I would appreciate those photos.

Just last night I was looking at 4L80 trans controllers, man are they pricey!
I was hoping that the Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 would have the trans control integrated by now, but they don't...

 

[Bextreme04]

0411 ECU and pigtails are only about $50... you only need TPS and Tach signal from the engine in order for the 4L80E controls to work. You should be able to get tach signal from the HEI and tap into the Pro-Flo TPS. I have the software and tool to flash the ECU to remove the VATS and put the right OS on it.

 

[Bextreme04]

That might be a interesting thing to look at.
I would appreciate those photos.

Just last night I was looking at 4L80 trans controllers, man are they pricey!
I was hoping that the Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 would have the trans control integrated by now, but they don't...

The post above was supposed to be in reply to this one catbox

 

[Catbox]

0411 ECU and pigtails are only about $50... you only need TPS and Tach signal from the engine in order for the 4L80E controls to work. You should be able to get tach signal from the HEI and tap into the Pro-Flo TPS. I have the software and tool to flash the ECU to remove the VATS and put the right OS on it.

Most excellent things to know for sure!
Once our local junkyard is no longer flooded I will have to find that ECU.
It is good that you live fairly close as well.

I am going to start reading up on this 0411 ECU dealie bob.
Thanks for the heads up @Bextreme04 !

 

[BigDaddy72]

Is there really a debate concerning manifolds vs headers?? Lol!!!

 

[squareton]

Not cheap by any means, Doug Thorley makes a set. Several different coating. None in stock at this time. Well made and fit the application.

You must be registered for see images attach

http://www.dougthorleyheaders.com/all/all/0/484/539/667/all

Thanks for listing this now I finally have a header solution for my 82 bbc changeover

 

[Catbox]

Holy mackerel!
I totally never did update this thread.
We simply installed the Nova headers without cleaning them up.
They slid right into place like they were made for the truck.
No Z-bar problems at all.
You can see evidence of the PO banging on them...

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Here is where we were kinda skurrd.
All that crap down there in the way, but they slid right into the chassis.
You can see our temporary/permanent exhaust flex tube waiting to mate up to the new header down there.
You also can see the Jeep steering shaft upgrade that has bee installed.

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Like a glove!

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Passenger side was just as easy to put in.

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[Catbox]

If you are big block and 2wd like we are, these headers tuck way up in the frame.
No hang down at all.

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Looking under the truck we can see them ahead of the frame.

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Sticking our faces even further under there you can see the collectors and our crappy connection to the flex pipe. That will be removed when we replace the transmission cross member for one with better clearance for a dual exhaust.

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Now these headers feed back through all 2-1/2" piping to these Jones Flow Pack single chamber mufflers. Strangely enough for it being a BBC with simple exhaust, it is fairly quiet. The engine has a "RV" cam in it and you can just detect the extra note it has.

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It will still put a huge smile on your face when you mash the gas pedal.
And it really does sing well when up on the huge secondary's that the Quadrajet has.
Doing so will easily overpower either the clutch or the brand new Coopers it wears on its wheels.