Thinking of removing headers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 10-29-2007, 08:54 PM

I don't know why, but I have never been a fan of headers. I guess I just like the way stock exhaust pipes, followed by a good set of duals sounds compared to headers. So, what did my new '85 come with...headers. Now I know you guys have different opinions about headers, but I am thinking of replacing them with the original exhaust manifolds. Only thing is I'm not sure about a few things. First off, this engine is a replacement. I think it came out of an early 90's truck. It is a VORTEC engine with the VORTEC heads. Would I need to get the exhaust manifolds specific to this engine, or are there other year models that will bolt up. This is a non-smog set up so would anything need to be done to the stock exhaust manifolds before I could use them. Thanks

Pyrotechnic · 10-29-2007, 09:11 PM

Stock manifolds will bolt up just fine. You will want some non emissions manifolds though that don't have air injection tubes.

crawdad · 10-29-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Stock manifolds will bolt up just fine. You will want some non emissions manifolds though that don't have air injection tubes.

Will any small block chevy exhaust manifolds bolt up to the VORTEC heads? For some reason, I guess I was thinking the VORTEC heads were different?

**old Rusty C10** · 10-29-2007, 10:39 PM

well you could just block up the tube holes with plugs ive done that on trucks that i ripped out the confounded air pump on

87rado · 10-30-2007, 06:10 AM

The two style heads are different in that one won't bolt up to the others block. You can run the same exhaust setup on either though. That part is pretty much the same.
I ran into some trouble when I swapped my 87 305 for an 84 305 out of a Camaro. Very few parts were interchangeable, however the exhaust were.
I went the opposite direction and installed the cheap Dynomax header/dual exhaust kit from Summit. I could actually tell a difference in the power. Plenty more with headers. It may have been because the Cat was pretty clogged too though.

Any engine would run better if you give that hot air somewhere to go.

72freak · 10-30-2007, 06:25 AM

Some of the happiest days of my life were the birth of my daughter and the days I took the headers of my trucks or sold the trucks that had them.

cjracing15 · 10-30-2007, 10:01 AM

Here is what i did. These came from a 90 suburban. Has no smog holes and fits our trucks perfect. This is what I would look for if I did not want the holes to deal with, and these make for clean install I think.

Texasdeere · 10-30-2007, 10:35 AM

Most of the 90's TBI truck engines didn't have smog pumps. You can by new repo small block manifolds real cheap online and ebay too.

I have always had good experiences with headers until this last set on my 72 402 truck.

10-29-2007, 08:54 PM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Thinking of removing headers I don't know why, but I have never been a fan of headers. I guess I just like the way stock exhaust pipes, followed by a good set of duals sounds compared to headers. So, what did my new '85 come with...headers. Now I know you guys have different opinions about headers, but I am thinking of replacing them with the original exhaust manifolds. Only thing is I'm not sure about a few things. First off, this engine is a replacement. I think it came out of an early 90's truck. It is a VORTEC engine with the VORTEC heads. Would I need to get the exhaust manifolds specific to this engine, or are there other year models that will bolt up. This is a non-smog set up so would anything need to be done to the stock exhaust manifolds before I could use them. Thanks __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-29-2007, 09:11 PM	#2
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Thinking of removing headers Stock manifolds will bolt up just fine. You will want some non emissions manifolds though that don't have air injection tubes. Last edited by Pyrotechnic; 10-29-2007 at 09:12 PM.

10-29-2007, 10:39 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Thinking of removing headers well you could just block up the tube holes with plugs ive done that on trucks that i ripped out the confounded air pump on __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-30-2007, 06:10 AM	#5
87rado Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Elsanor, Alabama Posts: 35	Re: Thinking of removing headers The two style heads are different in that one won't bolt up to the others block. You can run the same exhaust setup on either though. That part is pretty much the same. I ran into some trouble when I swapped my 87 305 for an 84 305 out of a Camaro. Very few parts were interchangeable, however the exhaust were. I went the opposite direction and installed the cheap Dynomax header/dual exhaust kit from Summit. I could actually tell a difference in the power. Plenty more with headers. It may have been because the Cat was pretty clogged too though. Any engine would run better if you give that hot air somewhere to go. __________________ Lee

10-30-2007, 06:25 AM	#6
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Thinking of removing headers Some of the happiest days of my life were the birth of my daughter and the days I took the headers of my trucks or sold the trucks that had them. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

10-30-2007, 10:01 AM	#7
cjracing15 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lexington, TN Posts: 1,427	Re: Thinking of removing headers Here is what i did. These came from a 90 suburban. Has no smog holes and fits our trucks perfect. This is what I would look for if I did not want the holes to deal with, and these make for clean install I think. Attached Images Last edited by cjracing15; 10-30-2007 at 10:04 AM.

10-30-2007, 10:35 AM	#8
Texasdeere Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 732	Re: Thinking of removing headers Most of the 90's TBI truck engines didn't have smog pumps. You can by new repo small block manifolds real cheap online and ebay too. I have always had good experiences with headers until this last set on my 72 402 truck.



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