Header questions:

[AR_K5]

1983 K5 Blazer.
After swapping in a HP Dana 60 front end, my long tube headers are now in the way of the front driveshaft, therefore I either need short headers (aka: shorties). I'm running true dual exhaust with two flow masters on a 350 (est. 300 hp).

My questions are:
1: Are short headers really that much better than stock manifolds? (Aside from sound)
2: Will "block huggers" fit?
3: Will just any sbc "shorties" fit? (Ex. Ones for 88-99 k1500).

I have a set of stock (79 Camaro) manifolds, so if short headers aren't worth the expense I can just toss these on it and be back in business.

 

[diesel4me]

I've only had headers on one 350 I had in a 74 GMC for awhile--I got tired of them blowing gaskets every month or two at the heads or collectors,then they rusted through at the collectors,(and they hit the shackles on the front springs too)--so I put the cast iron stock manifolds back on it--personally I didn't notice much if any loss of power...I thought they were just a pain in the butt,it's bad enough dealing with broken studs in stock manifolds..

I'm not sure if Camaro manifolds will work,some Camaro's and Malibu's around that year had 305's with only 5 bolts instead of the typical six,and some had the manifolds that went up over the spark plugs and had a 2 bolt flange instead of the typical 3 bolt ones...if they were off a 350 they are probably the same as truck manifolds..

 

[dyeager535]

Do a search in this forum for hedman headers. There is a VERY long thread that gives the part number you would want. They are still technically long tubes, but have a lot more clearance. May still not fit your application, but there are pictures to go with so you can make a better educated decision.

 

[AR_K5]

I believe this is the thread you are referring to.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213472&highlight=Headman+headers

Those Headman 69830 might work, but I don't see any info on how far down they hang. That's why I was asking about the ones that simply replace the stock manifolds. The issue is that my front pinion is 3" higher than a GM D60 and the differential is on the drivers side. Standard long tube headers are designed to clear the driveshaft on the passenger side, and 3" lower (at the pinion).

My front drive shaft will be almost parallel with the ground.

Really I just wanted to know if it's worth the money or the trouble to get short headers (like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/141349047212 )or if I should just put manifolds back on and go with it.

The problem: looking from the front T-case output.

 

[dyeager535]

This link work for you? http://coloradok5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=62229&d=1205104435 About as good a pic as you can get I think for reference. But there are others.

If it were I, on an application I wasn't really looking for upper end power on, I'd personally stick with manifolds. From what I recall seeing (google should have plenty of hits for short headers vs manifolds) the shorties helped, but it wasn't over as much of the engines RPM range as the long tubes.

On the small blocks you give up so much to the exhaust manifolds, I'd have a hard time ever going back to them, for any reason.

 

[AR_K5]

This link work for you? http://coloradok5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=62229&d=1205104435 About as good a pic as you can get I think for reference. But there are others.

Thanks but as a penny pinching guest I can't open the link.

I really do not want to run manifolds, but I just don't know if the cost of the short headers is worthwhile, other than for appearance. At least with manifolds I wouldn't be needing to replace gaskets every few weeks.

 

[paratrooper307]

Do a search in this forum for hedman headers. There is a VERY long thread that gives the part number you would want. They are still technically long tubes, but have a lot more clearance. May still not fit your application, but there are pictures to go with so you can make a better educated decision.

I can speak from experience on this one. When I switched to Hedmans after getting tired of gasket leaks from my Hookers, I noticed the collectors were significantly higher and I had to put in an extension pipe for the exhaust to reach them. The collector is well away from the spring shackle and front shaft. I have a 10 bolt front, but I'd be happy to take a picture if you want to see how they hang.