1991 K5 California Headers

[midnitewarya]

Hey guys,

I'm piecing together a new motor build and I'm having some difficulty choosing my headers. I'm sticking with 350 TBI, mild build. I live in the Peoples Republic of California and need to stick with the o2 sensor. Does anybody have some input on a good set of headers?

Thanks in advance!

-Al

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've been running Flowtech shorties designed for the 88-95 trucks for years now with no issues. It sometimes takes a small amount of grinding on the driver side frame rail and you must relocated the 02 sensor to the exhaust pipe just below the collector but other than that they bolt in with no other issues. You will have to have a new Y pipe made though.

 

[Irish1941]

I have run two sets of JBA stainless headers for '87-'91 TBI K5/Sub. Don't have to move 02 bung and fit with zero issue. The bolt up right in place of the factory manifold and right to the factory y-pipe just like cast iron manifold. And they are CARB legal. Ain't cheap but they are VERY nice pieces.
Made in Sam Dimas.
Part # 1830-4
http://products.jbaheaders.com/detail_shortyV.asp?id=1830S-4

 

[midnitewarya]

Wow those JBAs are nice, and WOW they are expensive!!!

4X4High, why did you go with keeping the y-pipe and not run the pipes straight out the back?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Wow those JBAs are nice, and WOW they are expensive!!!

4X4High, why did you go with keeping the y-pipe and not run the pipes straight out the back?

A single exhaust will make more low end torque (which I wanted). My exhaust is a 2 1/2" Y-pipe into a 3" single exhaust down the drivers side using a Gibson muffler.

 

[K85 Octane]

never mind going to duals is illegal in CA
was told the muffler and CAT need to be exactly where they were from factory
being there are heat shields in place, getting away with it would be difficult, unless they don't know I guess

My Edelbrocks worked out fine, once I fixed some sh1t, got a SOL from tech support, and made them work.

 

[midnitewarya]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[1leg]

I've been running Flowtech shorties designed for the 88-95 trucks for years now with no issues. It sometimes takes a small amount of grinding on the driver side frame rail and you must relocated the 02 sensor to the exhaust pipe just below the collector but other than that they bolt in with no other issues. You will have to have a new Y pipe made though.

I did the same thing. Plus ceramic coated and had a new custom 2.5" exhaust built with flowmaster y pipe. I also switch to a heat O2 sensor. so far so good only issue is i wish i had a not use a flowmaster muffler, still to loud but i'm not willing to pay to change it out

 

[Keitha]

I have been running these Doug Thorley Tri-Y headers for over 10 years. I just had them coated a few months ago and they came out great. One thing I like about the Tri-Y design is that you get much more clearance around the spring shackles and frame as the headers go from 4 pipes, to 2 pipes, then to a single 3" instead of having the large 4 into 1 collector. Instalation was easy; no cutting or notching the frame at all.

 

[cuervo]

I bought some headmen shorties which only lasted about a year, or less. All the welds inside the collector failed. Since I don't live in cali anymore I pick up some long tube hookers which have been very nice.

 

[Blue85]

An O2 bung can be added wherever you want. If you move it downstream, you may want the heated version, but I would say that's not the #1 concern with choosing a header.

 

[foylinj]

I went with the JBA's on my new motor. I looked at several cheaper headers and found many are not as heavy a gauge as the JBA headers. most are only 18 qauge mild steel tube compared to the 14 gauge stainless. I also bought them off of ebay to save a few more bucks.

 

[79rustyk10]

I bought some headmen shorties which only lasted about a year, or less. All the welds inside the collector failed. Since I don't live in cali anymore I pick up some long tube hookers which have been very nice.

I have these on my 79. I would definitly recomend them. Not sure on Ca legality though.