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Custom headers??

6

6.2Blazer

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Not that I plan on pursuing this idea anytime soon, but I have been daydreaming about headers for the 6.2 and how you could modify a set of gas engine headers to work on a 6.2, or maybe merge H1 headers to a set of gassers. Again, just something to discuss and throw out ideas.

I've read lots of posts talking about H1 headers (though I'm on the borderline of actually considering them headers) but have never seen an actual picture of them installed in a Blazer/pickup.

Based on pictures it seems pretty obvious that small block gas headers are no where close (not equal distance between two center ports and the two outer ports). However big block headers appear to be equal distance like the 6.2.

Any idea of how close big-block to 6.2 exhaust ports are. Could you take an H1 header, cut off the flange/short section of pipe, and merge to a full length BB gas header?

Thoughts, comments, suggestions???
 
guess im confused, ill have to look up the H1 headers, but if you were running the H1 headers, why not just fab a custom exhaust off of the existing pipes and flanges, instead of cutting and welding two different headers into some frankenstein merging of the two.
 
As I said originally, I hesitate to even consider the H1 exhaust manifolds "headers". The attributes of a true header usually come from a combination of smoother exhaust flow and equal length tubes, both of which are somewhat lacking on H1 exhaust manifolds.

I agree that Stan's header are nice, but you are looking at $600 by the time they are at the door step.

My line of thinking involved around a set of cheap gas headers for under $200 and a couple of nights in the garage.

Again, this is all hypothetical and mainly just something to discuss on this board.
 
what kind of increase in power output do you think would be reasonable from headers on a 6.2? i don't know a whole lot about exhaust systems, but it seems that since they're true duals already, the weak point is more the muffler than the manifolds.
 
I have no clue if the help much or not and stans headers are expensive. I gave up looking at headers when I decided I am going turbo.
 
Just because it has "true duals" definitely does not mean the exhaust flow is optimized. A single 3" likely flows substantially better than the stock 2.25" duals (which are not connected with a H-pipe or anything) with similar style mufflers.

Don't know how much power would be available with just full length headers, but I bet with a J-code intake and the headers it would allow you turn up the fuel a noticable amount more before having black smoke or EGT problems. I tend to think that a NA diesel would be more responsive to headers than most gas engines, but I don't know for sure.

The problem is that everybody and their mother has messed with small block Chevy gassers and done everything imaginable to them, but the performance market and experience for a 6.2 is pretty small...especially if you take away turbos.
 
6.2Blazer said:
Don't know how much power would be available with just full length headers, but I bet with a J-code intake and the headers it would allow you turn up the fuel a noticable amount more before having black smoke or EGT problems. I tend to think that a NA diesel would be more responsive to headers than most gas engines, but I don't know for sure.
Click to expand...

smart. i see where you're going with that!
 
6.2Blazer said:
As I said originally, I hesitate to even consider the H1 exhaust manifolds "headers". The attributes of a true header usually come from a combination of smoother exhaust flow and equal length tubes, both of which are somewhat lacking on H1 exhaust manifolds.

I agree that Stan's header are nice, but you are looking at $600 by the time they are at the door step.

My line of thinking involved around a set of cheap gas headers for under $200 and a couple of nights in the garage.

Again, this is all hypothetical and mainly just something to discuss on this board.
Click to expand...


Correction:
Headers means free flowing smooth tubes, equal length is one type, not all headers are equal length runners.
 
If I recall correctly one of the gurus over at the diesel page built a NA 6.2L in the late 90's and had headers on it. Thing was custom everything and the exhaust was no exception.
 
imiceman44 said:
Correction:
Headers means free flowing smooth tubes, equal length is one type, not all headers are equal length runners.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's why I said "usually". The better headers typically have equal length tubes, all assuming you can make them fit.
 
well i can certainly say that headers will ALWAYS have a vast improvement on airflow out of the engine. better airflow out, better airflow in, more efficiency. meaning more power and probably better fuel economy. The headers i put on my IROC were the most dramatic seat of the pants improvement in performance, even more so than a fully built race prepped 700R4 tranny. I would say they would be worth the effort.

Dont suppose anyone might know the cost on someone fabbing up a full custom set of pipes? I imagine if youve got decent welding skills, you could always make your own...... they sell kits for that right?
 
i've been toying with the idea of building my own. I would need a block to work with tho - as it would be a serious pain in the ass working on it w/ the engine in my truck...
 
K5dreamer said:
well i can certainly say that headers will ALWAYS have a vast improvement on airflow out of the engine. better airflow out, better airflow in, more efficiency. meaning more power and probably better fuel economy. The headers i put on my IROC were the most dramatic seat of the pants improvement in performance, even more so than a fully built race prepped 700R4 tranny. I would say they would be worth the effort.

Dont suppose anyone might know the cost on someone fabbing up a full custom set of pipes? I imagine if youve got decent welding skills, you could always make your own...... they sell kits for that right?
Click to expand...

Yeah, they make custom header kits...includes the downpipes and collectors with no flanges for under $100. The only flanges I could think of would be to get a set of Hummers and cut them off, unless maybe Stan's would sell just the flanges.
 
6.2Blazer said:
Yeah, they make custom header kits...includes the downpipes and collectors with no flanges for under $100. The only flanges I could think of would be to get a set of Hummers and cut them off, unless maybe Stan's would sell just the flanges.
Click to expand...
:thinking:
 
Unless I'm reading their website wrong Stan's does offer just the flanges for the 6.2. Look to be about a 100 bucks each.
 
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