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Thorley Headers

As I mentioned above I installed the elites on my 'cuda. When installed they only cleared the tranny by 1/8", and rubbed the trans pan where it stuck out past the flange. The exhaust shop that finished up the exhaust warmed them up and bent them over and gave me about an inch clearance. No problems. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
 
I got thorleys in my '73 K5. They fit perfect, but didn't come with a y-pipe. They have discolored, but they're not corroded at all.
 
Where is this magical Car Craft article? I searched for some time and couldn't find it... /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif
 
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Where is this magical Car Craft article? I searched for some time and couldn't find it... /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif

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The book on Tri-Y headers is that they pump up the midrange torque over a set of four-into-one headers, which is exactly what we saw with this test. In the midrange between 3,600 and 5,200 rpm, the torque jumped as much as 27 lb-ft, but this comes at a price. Note that the average torque gain throughout the entire curve is only a scant 2.6 lb-ft. This is because at the lower engine speeds like 3,000 rpm, the Tri-Ys lost 32 lb-ft compared to the four-into-one header.

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The book on Tri-Y headers is that they pump up the midrange torque over a set of four-into-one headers, which is exactly what we saw with this test. In the midrange between 3,600 and 5,200 rpm, the torque jumped as much as 27 lb-ft, but this comes at a price. Note that the average torque gain throughout the entire curve is only a scant 2.6 lb-ft. This is because at the lower engine speeds like 3,000 rpm, the Tri-Ys lost 32 lb-ft compared to the four-into-one header. Would these Tri-Ys be quicker in a mild street car? When we plugged the two power curves into the Racing Systems Analysis Quarter Pro simulation, the two curves produced very similar results. The four-tube-header version ran a scant 0.08-second and 1.1-mph quicker through the quarter than the Tri-Ys. Much of the difference was due to the slower 60-foot time exhibited by the Tri-Ys because of the torque loss below 3,400 rpm. The simulation used a 2,600-stall converter. It's possible that with a little carburetor work, that torque loss could be overcome. The Tri-Ys might have over-scavenged the engine at low rpm, requiring more fuel, and that could make these two headers more even in the car. But there appears to be no significant gain in performance with the Tri-Ys. It's mostly about where you want the torque gain to occur within the engine's power curve.

[/ QUOTE ] Was the TRI-Y's they tested made by Thorley ??? Wasn't that test on a car not a truck ?? It looks to me that they say a little tuning at the carb overcomes the torque loss. I'd still go with Thorley TRI-Y's.
 
Never heard of "Afterburners" Huh ??
I13301.gif
Sure looks like a Tri-Y design to me.
 
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Never heard of "Afterburners" Huh ??
I13301.gif
Sure looks like a Tri-Y design to me.

[/ QUOTE ] Sure looks like a piece of crap to me, I hate those things. Look at a real drag car and take note of the headers, they fab headers not just cause of tube size but length. The length of your primary tubes is important in power production. Those afterburners look to me to just be short primary tubes with a really long collector. I don't see 4 into 2 into 1. As Thorley's are.
 
i have Thorley Tri-Y's on my K5 with a BIG BLOCK and WILL NEVER use anything else. For me, I am am willing to give up a bit of power (I mean it is only 2.5 ft. pounds and you WILL NEVER TELL THE DIFFERENCE, esp in my engine that has over 450ft.lbs to begin with) The quality and the fit of these are second to none. The only thing I had to remove from the frame for them to fit was the secondary bump-stop on the passenger side. But the chrome plating is holding u pwell oafter a year of mostly being daily driven
 
I admit, I've seen and installed thorley's they are a NICE piece. I really wish some long tube manufacturer would step up and make a similar quality piece. As of yet I haven't seen a set of long tubes that nearly rival them.
 
Have you looked at Stan's Headers or someone more custom like that?

I was thinking about going with some stainless long tubes, but IIRC the price was around $500, and for that kind of money, if a decent set of headers for around $200 lasts 5-10 years, well... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks, Dorian. I knew it was some sort of keyboard actuator problem with my computer... /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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It's possible that with a little carburetor work, that torque loss could be overcome. The Tri-Ys might have over-scavenged the engine at low rpm, requiring more fuel, and that could make these two headers more even in the car.

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OK, I read the quotes in the other post, and went to the CC link as well. I don't recall seeing in the test engine specs what the induction system was, but it's probably safe to assume a carb of some variety. SO, after digesting the above quote for a few minutes, I'm thinking that if you're running FI and Tri-Y's, the computer will add that required fuel and you'll get that extra power down low. And if you run a carb, investing in a couple chassis dyno runs will probably get you the power gains too.

My personal conclusions:
1. Thorley's aren't necessarily the default answer to the age-old question "Who's got the best headers for trucks?"
2. With some time invested in carb or FI tuning, Thorley's will probably give excellent performance gains.



Comments, anyone?
 
Thanks for all the input. I thought about it long and hard and I decided I just had to have a set of Thorleys. So I should have them tomorrow. /forums/images/graemlins/peace.gif
 
I got the nickel chrome when I had my sb, got the ceramic now. The chrome only was visible till the first time in the mud then i had brown headers, never got em to come clean. The bb hasnt been in the mud yet. BTW, when i bought mine, guy gave me a tip, I did it and it worked, well, atleast till i went in the mud. Before you install them, coat the inside of the headers with a layer of oil. It will burn off and leave a residue so they wont turn blue over time. Also wipe em off w/ alcohol to remove ur fingerprints before you fire em up the first time. Otherwise your fingerprints will be burned into em in yellow for all time.
 

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