Long tube headers or weld the stainless manifolds?

[SpeedlabDan]

I'm having second thoughts on welding these up. I already hate the way they look but even if I use 309 filler and tig everything I think they're still gonna crack. The front shackles are wearing through the collectors. I'm not sure if I can heat and hammer them far enough to clear. Then I'd tig v-band on the end to get rid of the 3 bolt flanges that are problematic.
I'd be extremely annoyed if I spend three hours tiggin these pos's and they crack and I have to start over...
Bear in mind, the manifolds are stainless steel cast and the tube is 308 I believe. The heat cycles between the two may very well still be too different and cause a huge crack.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

These are the long tubes I removed and the manifolds I whipped up yesterday

 

[AJs72K5]

I'm a no on the manifolds. If you're considering going that route, why not put on some shortys?

 

[sweetk30]

if you need to weld them up and try them . but i wasnt liking the look to much for overall life span . and the o2 bung should be more 90* in the pipe but some guys get away with them spaced out and or use spark plug anti-fouwler to do it also .

i 2nd the search for a good shorty header or cast manifold thats more aftermarket yet beefy .

 

[beags86]

Welder up and quit being a wuss.

 

[beags86]

I don't think I need to tell you this. But weld them like cast iron. Preheat them and then insulate them and cool them slowly.
If you need more information I can pm you. Or text or a longer post.

 

[SpeedlabDan]

I'm leaning towards coping and V-band the long tubes