Headers question

[Cragmor]

My 76 rides low. I have not determined what was done to it, if they just cut the front springs and flipped the rear or what to get it to sit low. I just know it feels like it bottoms out often enough when driving. I have felt the wheel travel its full length and bottom out over a bump, but I have also head other scrapings. I plan to address this, but I got to thinking about when I put headers on this truck will they be a problem.
So, my question is, for those that have installed or seen headers installed on this generation, how low do they tend to sit? Are they typical with any other car with a header, or since it is a truck, do they sit lower? Or, does it just depend on the manufacturer?

 

[legopnuematic]

If you get headers meant for a car they will typically tuck up above the frame rails. Truck headers (at least mine) sit with the top of the tube in plane with the bottom of the frame.

My 79 I got at a swap meet a set of headers meant for a late 60's belair/gm car and they tuck up very nicely.

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Then my 76 with truck headers:

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[Big Chip]

You'll want headers for a GM-A body car, i.e. Chevelle. They will be above the bottom of the frame rail and then your next issue is the transmission crossmember. You may or may not have to change that if it doesn't allow the exhaust pipe to be above the bottom of the frame rail also.

 

[82sbshortbed]

My 82 with a BBC has chevelle LT headers and they fit nicely.

 

[legopnuematic]

You'll want headers for a GM-A body car, i.e. Chevelle. They will be above the bottom of the frame rail and then your next issue is the transmission crossmember. You may or may not have to change that if it doesn't allow the exhaust pipe to be above the bottom of the frame rail also.

With a stock singe exhaust w/catalytic convertor crossmember the passenger side pipe will hit with car headers, but the driver side will sit above. opposite with truck headers and same crossmember. (at least that is how mine are)

 

[Swearbody]

The summit SS header I just installed(made for out trucks) fit really well imho. They went well with the dynomax 2.25inch pipe kit(also made for our trucks). The only complaints I have is the driver side pipe that passes over the crossmember only having enough clearance to barley pass through without hitting the body(but dont) and the #3 runner touches the plug boot pretty solidly. The headers have a slightly downward shot off the collectors and this makes lining up the pipe over the crossmember, and still having the muffler under the frame a bitch. The exhaust kit has clamps but at the weird angles needed to achieve a good tuck the clamps dont hold without leaks....im having to weld mine up this week sometime(was gonna weld em anyway)

 

[Cragmor]

I have dual exhaust now, so I could just mate to whats there. Was just concerned about the drop on the headers. I think I will look to chevelle headers.
Many thanks

 

[Frankenchevy]

The hedman elite truck headers sit above the bottom of the frame.

They’re ceramic coated, have a 3/8” flange, thick wall primary tubes and ball and socket collector.

 

[Scott91370]

I have a set of Hedman long tubes and they are well below the frame. We'll see how long they last with my daughter driving the truck.

I bought this cross member ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQ3CGDY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) so I could run a dual exhaust and not worry about it fitting. I did have to drill one hole for this to line up correctly and it is a really nice piece. Maybe a little expensive for what it is but not having to think about it made it worth the money.

 

[peats]

i made my own crossmember using 2 driver sides welded together to get clearance.

 

[WesN]

Malibu Monte Carlo headers fit nice but you need to alter or replace the cross member to clear the exhaust pipe on the passenger side. Tucks up real nice.

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