sbc headers

dware173

Active Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Location
cave spring, ga
hey guys i got a crack in one of my exhaust manifolds on my suburban. been thinkin about puttin headers on it instead of stock manifolds. everyone that i have talked to said there gonna leak no matter what i do is this true? hopefully not but could yall maybe recomend so names of good headers im just lookin for some shorty's that won't tick anymore. thanks for the help Drew
 
I have stock replacement shorty hearders from summit and love-em. They have thick 3/8 flanges and bolt up to stock exhast pipes if you've still got stock type exhaust.
 
The only luck I've had with headers is a good quality header (big bucks) and gaskets from Byson Gaskets, they are super thick and designed for headers. It might be cheaper to have the crack welded? There are special tools to make the bolt holes line up if you put the factory manifolds back on.

Good luck
 
The only tick or noise i got from mine, were when the bolts on the collector loosened up shortly after i installed them. If i remember they were the Summit brand but had Pacesetter stamped on them. They have a stock ball type collector ( no dougnuts to blow out) on them that makes a pretty good seal. I did use good quality header gaskets and i check them periodically (every couple of rides), they will come loose but maintenance keeps them tight.

Yeah i think there is a difference between manifolds and headers, the difference is noticable as well as the under hood temps. Manifolds don't flow nearly as well as headers.
 
dware173 said:
Y?
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Well they are loud, they leak, burn plug wires, make changing the spark plugs a real PITA.
and unless you are going to run a big cam and lots of RPMS they wil not make any more HP.

I put them on my J10 (SBC) and they will be comming off I Am putting the Stock manifolds back on someday
 
Headers have a place, but very few off road rigs are that place, IMHO.
And especially on a SBC, a "rams horn" manifold will flow as well as MOST headers until you need to get over 6500 RPM (if this happens in a suburban let me know when so I can be no where close, please. k? thx.)

The only post in this thread that says his headers dont leak also mentions he tightens them every other ride. For a DD street vehicle you will come to hate yourself and contemplate a dull blade through your wrist on a monthly basis.

Oh yeah, spark plug changes just went form 20 minutes to 2+ hours.
Burned plug wires just cost you a new set of wires.
And BTW, on a stock engine I'll wager that you lose 2-3 hp on the dyno, not that you would ever feel it.

On a plus side, the engine compartment will be much warmer
 
My rig is strictly off road not a dd. Ram horns do have a place but are getting scarce and expensive, due to the popularity in limited classes of racing that don't allow headers. You can still find them on ebay and other on-line auctions but they can get pricey.
I do belive there is a definate performance advantage of the headers vs. normal log type manifolds. Any time you can get exhaust gases out of a motor quicker and more efficiently your going to make power even on a stock motor. Yes that is why so many people opt for after mkt or custom dual exhaust other than for sound.
Headers are not for everyone they do require some maintenance, But in my case that is a habit that is left over from my racing days. I do a nut and bolt check every ride or so on my rid just so i don't have any issues on trail and put me or anyone else in a bad way.
I'm certainly not trying to get into a pi$$ing contest with anyone and their beliefs, just an opinion on my part. I like my headers, so I guess i"ll keep them.:driver:
 
I have headers on my 68 mustang, so I know the maintenance involved...and the Suburban is an occasional driver...

I figure any more power I could get with this heavy beast would be a good thing...
 
T-bone71 said:
My rig is strictly off road not a dd. Ram horns do have a place but are getting scarce and expensive, due to the popularity in limited classes of racing that don't allow headers. You can still find them on ebay and other on-line auctions but they can get pricey.
I do belive there is a definate performance advantage of the headers vs. normal log type manifolds. Any time you can get exhaust gases out of a motor quicker and more efficiently your going to make power even on a stock motor. Yes that is why so many people opt for after mkt or custom dual exhaust other than for sound.
Headers are not for everyone they do require some maintenance, But in my case that is a habit that is left over from my racing days. I do a nut and bolt check every ride or so on my rid just so i don't have any issues on trail and put me or anyone else in a bad way.
I'm certainly not trying to get into a pi$$ing contest with anyone and their beliefs, just an opinion on my part. I like my headers, so I guess i"ll keep them.:driver:
Click to expand...

I dont disagree.
I have run headers in the past and still have them on my old mustang.
And while they can contribute to an overall performance platform, Ive also seen a whole bunch of people run out and drop a few hundred $ (between headers and re working the exhaust) and be real disappointed.

They are REQUIRED for serious HP no doubt.


BTW rams horns are stil plentiful in old out of the way junk yards ;)
 
Has anyone tried Stage 8 fastners, there not supposed to back off, might help with the eternal header question?
 
Ram horns are older style manifolds that the front and rear ports go up-n-over the spark plugs and meet in the middle over the middle 2 ports and then turn down to the exhaust,. The loosely form the outline of rams horns.
 
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