BBC fenderwell headers in a K5?

[urbex]

Just picked up a donor truck with a 454 to put into my '86 K5 that has a 350 in it now. I'll be running an auto trans, 700R4 for now, if/when it blows up, then likely will put a 4L80E in it afterwards. I had the 700 built a few years ago for my Scout build that was behind a 400HP LT1, so I don't expect a stock 454 to send it to an early grave...but I'm still keeping it in mind. It's a 4x4, 6" lift, running 33" tires.

I've been reading over a bunch of threads where people have been having clearance issues with headers, particularly with the automatic transmissions. I've already been running it without the inner fenders, and it's a desert toy, not a daily driver. I'm thinking about running a fenderwell/outside the frame style header on it, running the exhaust straight back and exiting in front of the rear tires. Somewhat like side pipes, just not with massive tube sticking out. This truck also isn't going to be a hard core rock crawler, so I'm not all that concerned about the exhaust being a rock catcher or getting hung up.

Seems like a stupid simple solution to me, but it wouldn't be the first time I didn't catch a major issue with a seemingly stupid simple solution, lol. So I'm asking the hive mind before I dump a few hundred bucks into headers.

 

[nvrenuf]

@Hoss7979 has some he'll be installing on his K5 soon so watch his build thread in the Driveway forum. There was another thread in this forum last week where a guy had some on a pick up but the thread is gone now.

Edit: I'd be careful if you buy used, these types of headers are common on race applications so be sure the tube size is appropriate for your motor.

 

[nvrenuf]

Found it, Engine Bay forum - https://ck5.com/forums/threads/454-headers-inside-one-ton-frame-rails.334465/

 

[urbex]

Found it, Engine Bay forum - https://ck5.com/forums/threads/454-headers-inside-one-ton-frame-rails.334465/

Good lord...that sound is down right sexy!

 

[skunked]

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1978-chevy-crew-cab-ultimate-offroad-build.319017/page-2

 

[skunked]

another https://ck5.com/forums/builds/money-pit.438/

 

[urbex]

I've been reading up on this more, and it seems like several of these headers have issues with clearing the factory AC/heater box thingy in the engine bay...half the reason I bought the K5 was to have a wheeler with AC, lol. Not sure I want to give that up just yet...

Been looking at the $200 set of BBC headers Speedway sells for the Tri-5 cars (https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Big-...1955-57-Chevy-Raw-Finish,57751.html)...people have been successful in using them in other cars, but I haven't seen anyone attempt them on C/K trucks. I figure I'm only out a few bucks for shipping if they don't work. I'm also going to call Mad Dog on Monday to get their take on their headers as to whether they'll clear the AC box. At the end of the day, I could deal with losing AC, but losing heat would be a deal breaker. Foggy windows bring on the suck real fast, lol.