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496ci Exhaust Headers

Brendan Blanchard

Brendan Blanchard

Voyeur
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Oct 21, 2015
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Hello. I know my tag says I am a newbie, but I have been a voyeur for a long time and have taken a lot of good information from you guys.

I am about to drop a stroked Mark IV into my '79 Blazer and was looking for some advice on exhaust headers. I know there are clearance issues with using full size ones, but was wondering what you guys have used. This is in my daily driver, so I need the down time to be a minimum when the engine swap happens. I would like to have the headers in hand instead of having to take measurements then place an order and wait for the parts to show up.
 
I had Doug Thorleys fit with no problems. They have 2.5" collectors though, not 3" unless they have changed that.
 
I am going to be pushing in excess of 600hp. That is too much performance to use a manifold, imo. After all the work I have put into it, I will be damned if it leaks.
 
Hedman 69820. Coated and uses ball and socket style collectors. I like Mr gasket ultra seal gaskets. 1&3/4 primaries, 3" collectors with 2&1/2 reducers, 3/8" flanges
 
At one time, Stahl made big tube headers by application but they weren't cheap. Mad dog makes over the frame headers but they're not really a daily driver type set up.

Specs onthe motor! :D
 
YOUNGBLOOD13 said:
Hedman 69820. Coated and uses ball and socket style collectors. I like Mr gasket ultra seal gaskets. 1&3/4 primaries, 3" collectors with 2&1/2 reducers, 3/8" flanges
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That surprises me that you were able to run full length headers, from what i have read shorties were needed. I have a call into a couple of the manufacturers to see if their tech departments have any information that i can use.
 
nvrenuf said:
At one time, Stahl made big tube headers by application but they weren't cheap. Mad dog makes over the frame headers but they're not really a daily driver type set up.
.
Specs onthe motor! :D
Click to expand...
It is a Mark IV, bored and stroked to a 496. Running a 10.5:1 CR. I put Iron Eagle 308 heads on it, a Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake, and Holley 870 Street Avenger for a carb. The heads and intake have been ported and polished. I should call this motor my rabbit hole, because i keep falling farther and farther with no real end in site. Good thing my wife thinks it is costing me what i originally thought it would. lol
 
Being a 496 I’d stick with long tubes, I’ve run the Hedman’s in the past and they fit good but we’re close to the front spring, rear shackle.

I’m running Sanderson shorties on my current motor, the fit was perfect but I don’t know if they’d breathe well enough for your motor.
 
nvrenuf said:
Being a 496 I’d stick with long tubes, I’ve run the Hedman’s in the past and they fit good but we’re close to the front spring, rear shackle.

I’m running Sanderson shorties on my current motor, the fit was perfect but I don’t know if they’d breathe well enough for your motor.
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I think as long as the pipes are 1 3/4 to a 3" collector, the motor should breath fine. I am more concerned with low to mid rpm and don't see it ever passing 5500 rpm, (unless i am doing burn outs or something else dumb). From what i have read, shorties will help with low end torque. I also want to make sure i have enough room to make the crossover. Do you have a part number on the Sandersons you are running?
 
Brendan Blanchard said:
I think as long as the pipes are 1 3/4 to a 3" collector, the motor should breath fine. I am more concerned with low to mid rpm and don't see it ever passing 5500 rpm, (unless i am doing burn outs or something else dumb). From what i have read, shorties will help with low end torque. I also want to make sure i have enough room to make the crossover. Do you have a part number on the Sandersons you are running?
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I just looked at Sanderson's site and their BB8 headers look like they are the ticket.
 
I’m using # BB8, the are 1-7/8” with 3” collector. For me, (with ORD motor mounts) the headers fit perfectly with zero mods. Another member, @mrk5, had some interference issues but his truck is a converted 2wd.

Like you I built for low end power and not looking to turn over 5500 rpm’s so the shorties were a nice compact option to keep the exhaust high & tight.

I’m running single exhaust and the shorties let me run my Y pipe under the trans bell housing.
 
All most all references on web come back to Sandrerson's BB8
 
I run the BB8 headers on my crew cab. I had to clearance the frame a little, like @nvrenuf mentioned it might have been a 2wd frame thing. My motor mounts are a homemade combination of the 2wd brackets and an ORD tubular crossmember so no idea if the motor is sitting in there like it would on a typical 4wd truck.

I also had to trim some off the 700r4. Basically had to cut off the top most ear/tab that the dust cover bolts to. With your power numbers, I have a feeling @Brendan Blanchard isn't going to be running a 700r4. I'm about to put a 4l80e in but I haven't confirmed it has the same issue but I'm betting it does.

Aside from that, I really like the headers. Top notch quality. I sealed them up just like the instructions said (which I'll bet you find dubious when you first read) and they have been fine.
 
mrk5 said:
I run the BB8 headers on my crew cab. I had to clearance the frame a little, like @nvrenuf mentioned it might have been a 2wd frame thing. My motor mounts are a homemade combination of the 2wd brackets and an ORD tubular crossmember so no idea if the motor is sitting in there like it would on a typical 4wd truck.

I also had to trim some off the 700r4. Basically had to cut off the top most ear/tab that the dust cover bolts to. With your power numbers, I have a feeling @Brendan Blanchard isn't going to be running a 700r4. I'm about to put a 4l80e in but I haven't confirmed it has the same issue but I'm betting it does.

Aside from that, I really like the headers. Top notch quality. I sealed them up just like the instructions said (which I'll bet you find dubious when you first read) and they have been fine.
Click to expand...
i am running a 400/205 combination, both modified to handle the additional hp.
 
I just placed the order for the BB8 set. Once they get here, i will take them to my muffler shop to make sure he has all the parts and pieces to install a new 3 1/2" single stainless steel pipe. I'll let you guys know how it goes.
 
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