Headers for a '79 - What is the best value?

[bmartin9122]

The old, ceramic headers are finally needing replacement. I have a 350ci with straight exhaust (no cats). I already have an estimate from a local shop. They want $500 for ceramic headers (don't know the brand) and installation. This sounds incredibly cheap. Am I getting junk? Should I just go back to a manifold/downpipe set-up? The shop says I will only lose about 5% of my power, but gain alot of reliability. They say manifold bolts won't come loose like they do on headers.

Opinions?

[Jim85IROC]

You could get locking bolts and copper gaskets for the headers if you don't want to snug them periodically.

[bmartin9122]

Thank you for the response!

Is that a common practice?

For the price the shop is quoting me, am I better off with a standard manifold set-up? I am not looking for big power as much as I want the truck to be relatively troublefree. I understand mechanics, but I am no wrench.

[Slonaker]

If your goal is purely reliability, you might consider manifolds over headers. It isn't the popular setup here on the board, but manifolds require no maintenance. My engine is stock, and I run manifolds for this reason.

Slonaker

[bmartin9122]

Sounds good. This old truck has enough problems without me adding fuel to the fire. Headers sound nice, and I know they add power, but I intend to use this truck. I don't want to have to check the oil, P/S, brakes, coolant, washer, AND tighten the headers. LOL! I guess I am lazy, but I really just want the truck to run well without constant babying.

Are there any manifolds you guys would recommend, or just get the OEM? The shop had suggested trying to find some junk yard parts. Also, the engine is bored over 0.030" (not my doing) and has a new 600cfm Edelbrock carb, so would the choice in manifolds change for these reasons?

[Slonaker]

The popular factory manifolds are rams horns, like what came on older corvettes. They were installed on a lot of vehicles, but the corvette ones (2.5" I think) are the ones everyone wants.

Some folks have reported having to notch their motor mounts to get them to clear, but N2TRUX didn't have any problems when he installed them on his truck.

I have looked at some of the non-corvette ones lately at swap meets. The seem to go for about $50 per pair, and usually need new studs.

The easiest thing to do would be to just get a set off a similar pickup in a junkyard. That way you know they will fit.

Slonaker

[bmartin9122]

I assume you are talking about these:

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...406&section=ep

I talked to the shop manager, and he said you can't even find them anymore. Apparently they are quite rare, and nobody has decided to make a knock-off version. He said I would pay quite a premium to get these. Oh well.

[Slonaker]

Those are the corvette ones, and they are being reproduced. You can even get them without the mount for the alternator or PS pump or whatever it is.

http://www.classicchevy.com/product....JQRJ9158H3D1S0

The easiest solution, as I said before, is just to go back to stock.

Slonaker

[bmartin9122]

I was looking at this site. They appear to have good products. Might you suggest someone else?

http://www.autopn.com/autoparts/look...72&AUTOPN_ID=6

[Slonaker]

I was thinking junkyard or swapmeet if that tells you anything about my budget.

Most people want to replace manifolds with headers, so I would expect it to be pretty easy to find a decent used pair.

Slonaker

[Jim85IROC]

I really don't see this reliability issue with headers that people keep mentioning. I've had them on my Camaro for years, and other than a periodic re-tightening, I've never had a problem. I put them on the car sometime around 99, and since then, I've probably retightened a couple bolts 3 times, each time it took me longer to get the wrench.