Dynomax Ceramic headers

[dk1977]

Just wanted to pass along good news.. I installed a set of the Dynomax Ceramic headers I read about in this forum. Summit was great and fast shipping. Their part # is WLK-86008, $240 + shipping. They were as advertised, super easy install, no grinding, no hassle. Made a 1 1/2"spacer for the a/c mount to the header (late '77 "small comp") and all was well. Now we'll see how they hold up.

 

[81 Corvette]

Mine have been on since early june and still look good.

you didn't use the cheap paper gaskets that came with them did ya? I did and had to replace both the header gasket and the collector gasket. Percey alluminum up top, and mr gasket on teh collector.

Did you use the bolts that came with em. i could never get my stay tight. stage 8 fixed that.

Did you fire it up with just the headers on? Sounds way cool

 

[dk1977]

I put them on using the included gaskets and bolts "for now". I plan on engine / head work this winter so I'll try and make it till then with the originals. I'll checkout the gaskets and bolts you mentioned. Yeah, couldn't resist firing it up "uncorked"...you gotta love that sound!

 

[JBWeaver]

Do they have air fittings to pass smog. Here in California you have to have all that to pass inspection.

 

[dk1977]

No, unfortunately they do not. The disclaimer when ordering states for "offroad use only".

 

[ArkShark]

Yeah, couldn't resist firing it up "uncorked"...you gotta love that sound!

I installed my Dynomax headers early in the Summer.
I loved driving it around the block like that. What a great sound.

I checked my header bolts this weekend, and a few were loose.
I also think I have a small leak. Its a little louder than I noticed before.
But to make things worse, I have one bolt stripped out. It won't tighten.
I will try a longer bolt to see if that helps.

I will probably upgrade the gaskets & stage8 bolts this winter.

 

[billyvette]

See Bobchad's site for details on this brand of header install. His site convinced me to do this project. I used the high dollar gaskets and fasteners for no leaks and also installed a 2.5 chambered system. I will not sneak up on anybody, but it is really fun messing with the "pseudo-rice" crowd in my small town of about 3000 people. None of them have enough money to produce a fast rice car, so it is a double whammy to sound better and actually be faster.


Does anybody know where I could get a tag, bumper sticker or small sign that says "Rice is food". I know I could make it myself, but I want something real smooth and professional looking.

 

[dshanks]

Im about to pick up a set of these Dynomax headers. Does anybody know if there is a difference between the Cyclone Ceramicoat headers and the Blackjack headers? Is it just the finish? I emailed Dynomax yesterday and they haven't returned with an answer yet, and I want to buy some headers!

Summitracing.com shows that they carry the Blackjack, but not the Ceramicoat, but there is an asteric next to the Blackjack noting "available with ceramic coating"

Jegs.com carries a header specifically called the Ceramicoat, as well as the "standard series". Is the standard series equal to the Blackjack?

Also, Im adding these headers with a new engine. Is is easier to:
1) bolt the headers to the engine then install both
2) install the engine, then the headers
3) drop the engine almost all the way in, connect the headers loosley, drop the rest of the way in, then tighten everything up
4) Some method I haven't thought of yet

I noticed in another post that someone mentioned wiring the headers in place, then dropping the engine in, then bolting it together.
Any tips will be greatly appreciated...

Also, does anybody know if these headers are gonna drag the ground?

Derrick

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Mind don't hit very often. If I'm not carefull the edge of the collector will hit every once in a whille.

It's been a while since I looked at the headers but if I recall correctly one is painted black and the other is ceramic.

 

[dk1977]

dshanks... I think Bob is correct. The blackjacks are just painted. I have only installed these headers with the engine in the car and mine is a '77 (radial; short) a/c compressor (see original post). Mine went very easily from underneath without the starter or the dipstick installed.. I upgraded to the aluminum gaskets and 12 point cad plated bolts a few months ago. I tightened them initially and once again after 500 miles. No problems since. I don't remember the gasket manufacturer, but I bought them at Auto Zone (bolts too). Less than $50 for all.

 

[ratflinger]

dk1977, I see you are a fellow Texan. Depending on how much you drive your car you might qualify for Antique Plates. $50 for 5 years & NO inspections, ever!! Daily drivers would be hard to justify, but weekend cars would be no problem.

 

[dshanks]

Any opinions on this?

When installing brand new headers while swapping the engine.

Is is easier to:
1) bolt the headers to the engine then install both
2) install the engine, then the headers
3) drop the engine almost all the way in, connect the headers loosley, drop the rest of the way in, then tighten everything up
4) Some method I haven't thought of yet

I noticed in another post that someone mentioned wiring the headers in place, then dropping the engine in, then bolting it together.
Any tips will be greatly appreciated...

If there is another post about this, a link would be great. I couldnt find it anywhere...

 

[ArkShark]

I've not done this, but heres my wild-ass guess.

The headers will hit if you install them on the engine and then put the engine in.

If you lower the engine, then install the headers, you may have trouble getting to the engine mounting bolts.

I'd go with installing the engine completely, then coming back and installing the headers. It was easy enough to do for me with the engine installed, and with everything else you have to worry about, I'd just put this last on the list.

I upgraded to the aluminum gaskets and 12 point cad plated bolts a few months ago. I tightened them initially and once again after 500 miles. No problems since. I don't remember the gasket manufacturer, but I bought them at Auto Zone (bolts too). Less than $50 for all.

Thanks for that. I've been needing to do that for a long time.
Any more info on what you purchased would help!

 

[dk1977]

Ratflinger... got them this year. No day to day driving, only to events and meetings. Works out really well.

 

[dk1977]

Sorry, the receipt is long gone. The gaskets and bolts were on display with their "speed parts". If I remember right, the gaskets were $30 - $35. They were the only "all aluminum" gaskets they carried.