Headers??

[pgeager]

Another exhaust question, 81's have factory headers, does it make a real difference ., Factory headers vs real headers? If so how difficult to install? and in from the top or bottom?

Thanks All

 

[81 Corvette]

i put on dynomax headers and there was a nice performace improvement. Its a very easy mod to do. Takes about 4 hours by yourself. If you have the stock carb, you will need to reinstall the O2 sensor and if you have a manual, you'll need to remove the Z bar.

The go in from the bottom.

 

[Nut]

I concur. Easy installation however when I put mine on 15 years ago I had to have the o2 sensor flange welded in. But like 81 Corvette said it's manditory with the stock carb. Bought me 20+ hp (dyno tested).

Good luck........... Nut

i put on dynomax headers and there was a nice performace improvement. Its a very easy mod to do. Takes about 4 hours by yourself. If you have the stock carb, you will need to reinstall the O2 sensor and if you have a manual, you'll need to remove the Z bar.

The go in from the bottom.

 

[pgeager]

So Is there a difference in who makes the headers and how easy they are to install? Im thinking about ceramic coated., But I dont have a bottom less check book either.

 

[Nut]

Mine are ceramic and have lasted over 15 years and a 150K miles+ and still look good. I bought them so long ago I don't remember what I paid. But they did not break the bank back then (I was a lot poorer then too)

...... Nut

So Is there a difference in who makes the headers and how easy they are to install? Im thinking about ceramic coated., But I dont have a bottom less check book either.

 

[81 Corvette]

i've got dynomax ceramic. The still look great from up top, but on the under side, they have alot of rust spots.

they do a nice job performance wise so if i had to do it again, i might consider the normal dynomax non coated headers

whatever you do decide, if you decide on headers, high quality gaskets (alluminium or copper) and bolts (stage 8 or similar) are a must

 

[mikejpss]

What about the a/c bracket bolt on the pass. side head? Seem to remember that the a/c bracket has a bolt that anchors the bracket up to the manifold. How does the header accomodate this bracket/bolt combination?

Also, I see where Jegs has the Dynomax ceramic unit for ~$250, is there anything you need to tell them when ordering besides the year model and cu.in. size of the motor?
Just wanting to cover all bases so there's no surprises on a Saturday evening with no parts stores open. Thanks.

 

[81 Corvette]

i removed the ac bracket when i took out the compressor so no problem for me, but for you, they sell a spacer or you can go to your local hardware store and get a spacer.

do a search for headers and i'm sure you will see it covered in many of the posts.

as for ordering, i mostly use summit and the part number there is WLK-86008, jegs part number is 289-86008

looks like Jegs is about 3 bones cheaper.

Finally, make sure you get some quality gaskets and header bolts. I used the ones that came with the headers. The bolts wouldn't stay tight, and the gaskets burned up. I replaced the gasket with percey's dead soft alluminum and stage 8 bolts and haven't had a problem since.

Also, it is a must that after you install the headers and before you connect them to the rest of the exaust system that you fire em up. The sound will be music to your ears.

 

[JHL]

I ran mine for a while on stright though pipes but was also tempted to run it on open headers a couple of times, nieghbours were not impressed


Check it out

http://f2.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/oFAnQvykiRvPCvlVjkKblh0BS88wEqydpORWA45uXGpPagTsAzqiKsIRrHGYW_l9KVZEEhb1389XcCy-ZnBW/jpegs/Open%2520Pipes%5B1%5D.mpa

J.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I tried to chronicle my installation. Hope this info helps.