Headers? worth the effort & cost?

[82sbshortbed]

Yes

 

[TPISly-C10]

On my 6L LS swap with 2010 Camaro SS exaust manifold...they so well desing from GM stock no need for more!

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[MikeB]

I seriously doubt you will notice the difference, unless your heat riser (if your engine has one) is closed or there's some serious crush bends in the head pipe(s). I say this having installed three different kinds of headers on three different Chevy trucks with mild performance engines.

Where you WILL feel a difference vs. stock exhaust is with dual 2.5"-3" pipes and low restriction mufflers. Definitely use 3" pipes on a BBC if not using mandrel bends.

 

[custodian]

I'm taking headers off the 73 and going with stock exhaust manifolds. Headers get in the way of changing spark plugs in my opinion. I put stock exhaust on the 85 and was a lot easier to get to the plugs.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

From Summit couple hundred. Been on for months, perfect fit. RV cam, Edelbrock RPM air gap, and these. Truck is a tire shredder, but more important to me, hauls 8000 lbs at 70miles an hour with little effort, much better then the 325 hp small block, reliable, runs on regular gas with 36 deg of timing with zero detonation. Carb is a Holly 4150 vacuum secondary 750 with the secondary. Love it!!

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[Craig Nedrow]

Note: spark plugs easy to change, oil filter is more difficult so I bought a filter wrench, use an extension, and easy as with the stock manifold now. Have 12 lbs of vacuum at 1000 RPMs so brakes work excellent. Like it so much, that the built LQ4 will not go in this truck....destined for the 54 3600... Chevy..of course.

 

[emoze]

thanks - very helpful to see that photo & part number - unfortunately they only fit up thru 1974 - mine is an '84

for we CA folks - whatever we get must be CARB EO approved for '76 & newer -

cheapest such on Summit push $700 delivered
& only set that might fit are Hedman 66111

so - given all that - the advice above that "it ain't worth the $$$ & trouble on a 'stock' motor " is a decision point for me - i'll just forget about the idea

THANKS to all for the input!

From Summit couple hundred. Been on for months, perfect fit. RV cam, Edelbrock RPM air gap, and these. . Love it!!

 

[emoze]

follow-on question: other than feeling a 'power difference" has anyone noted any differences (? improvement) in fuel economy with headers ?

(not that it's very relevant in a truck that only ever got 12 mpg anyway)

 

[Green79Scottsdale]

thanks - very helpful to see that photo & part number - unfortunately they only fit up thru 1974 - mine is an '84

for we CA folks - whatever we get must be CARB EO approved for '76 & newer -

cheapest such on Summit push $700 delivered
& only set that might fit are Hedman 66111

so - given all that - the advice above that "it ain't worth the $$$ & trouble on a 'stock' motor " is a decision point for me - i'll just forget about the idea

THANKS to all for the input!

For $700, not worth it on a stock engine.

 

[BRetty]

All,

Love this discussion, multiple view points and experience are what people need to sort out what is right for them.

[Same with politics, multiple voices and perspective helpful, that's real "diversity" not the modern racism dressed up as virtue.]

Following this convo b/c my PO put 305 manifolds on my 350sb, routing spark wires is a PITA, and who ever welded the whole dual exhaust train did the shittiest welds I have ever seen. I dropped a muffler on the freeway 2 months in, the whole crap needs replaced, WTF are there cats on my '73?

If I am replacing my whole exhaust setup, will cost $$$$. Starting with headers would just be a 25% bump in cost, so why not?

Also my truck is dropped 4.5/6, not sure where to even start to figure out what is needed short of running her up the lift and manually piecing the exhaust togther. Which might be the only way, surely the only way to make sure it's right.

Pics and info very appreciated,

BR

 

[Catbox]

All,

Love this discussion, multiple view points and experience are what people need to sort out what is right for them.

[Same with politics, multiple voices and perspective helpful, that's real "diversity" not the modern racism dressed up as virtue.]

Following this convo b/c my PO put 305 manifolds on my 350sb, routing spark wires is a PITA, and who ever welded the whole dual exhaust train did the shittiest welds I have ever seen. I dropped a muffler on the freeway 2 months in, the whole crap needs replaced, WTF are there cats on my '73?

If I am replacing my whole exhaust setup, will cost $$$$. Starting with headers would just be a 25% bump in cost, so why not?

Also my truck is dropped 4.5/6, not sure where to even start to figure out what is needed short of running her up the lift and manually piecing the exhaust togther. Which might be the only way, surely the only way to make sure it's right.

Pics and info very appreciated,

BR

Start with Chevelle headers for your C10.
They tuck up in the frame quite well from what I have seen on here, do a search.
Then find the size of tube you want for the piping and find a universal kit from Summit or Jegs.
With a pretty simple tool set you can get it installed and clamped up in the driveway.

We (my son and I) pieced a set of pipes together like that a few months ago for my truck.
We started with removing all the old junk we didn't want to use, that left us with the two down pipes that connect to the stock exhaust manifolds. Using some cheapo flex pipe to get connected to the new stuff is the only really hokey thing we did to the exhaust as it is a temporary solution.
None of what I had was new, so it was a bit more difficult to fit up.
But its in there solid and functions just fine.

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[BigDaddy72]

They will absolutely without a doubt make a difference in power all across the rpm range.

Better fuel economy also.

Remember they are not a supercharger or nitrous.

Be realistic in your expectations.

Remember any future mods you do you the headers will be a plus plus all the way around.

Exhaust is the first mod you make in any effort to improve over factory stock.

 

[Rubrhammer]

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0106-manifolds-vs-headers/
This is on a Mopar 440 but you'll get the drift. Manifolds vs sorties vs long tube elites.

 

[BigDaddy72]

That is pretty much spot on.

The more mods the more power headers over manifolds will make.

 

[WFO]

follow-on question: other than feeling a 'power difference" has anyone noted any differences (? improvement) in fuel economy with headers ?

(not that it's very relevant in a truck that only ever got 12 mpg anyway)

The better it breathes, the less fuel it needs and the longer it lasts. If you can keep your foot off the firewall, anyway.