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Which headers?

txbartman

1/2 ton status
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As you may have seen from all my other posts, I am dropping a basic GM crate 350 in my 85 Jimmy. It will have Edelbrock performer intake, q-jet, extreme 4x4 cam, and some other performance stuff in it (roller tips, etc). Now I am looking at headers. I had been focusing on emissions legal headers (AIR). But, I talked to a few shops and they said they don't even check for that. So, I no longer care! Now I just need to pick some good quality headers to go with my combo.

I have heard that some full-length headers interfere with the front shackle bolts. What basic headers would you guys recommend. I still haven't decided between y-pipe, single exhaust or true duals. But, I should be able to go with either regardless of header choice.

Recommendations? Opinions?

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!
 
Nick has some edelbrock shorties on the camaro that he likes a lot. It even has a place for the O2 also.
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I'm running some hedmann headers. Spark plugs are easy to change out, no leakes, not real expensive, but the starter can be a pain in the ars to change....but how often do you change the starter?
I've got one dent in the header from the housing coming up and hitting it. But these are some of the best clearing headers I've seen for these trucks. I can get a part number for ya.

<font color=blue>What part of my brilliance do you not understand?</font color=blue>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
Here's a pic of what was on my blazer compared to the hedmanns I'm running now. It's a sorta good pic
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<a target="_blank" href=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b1cc38b3127cce9c5eaf9f632c0000003410>header</a>

<font color=blue>What part of my brilliance do you not understand?</font color=blue>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
Get me the part # if you don't mind. I was originally looking at the Edelbrock TES headers, but if I have to scrap the y-pipe (because of interference with the driveshaft), what's the point of the $350 price tag? I liked their shorties, but (a) they aren't available until March or April and (b) they are still &gt;$300. I ran some Hedmans or Hookers (can't remember) on my 72 years ago and were pleased. I think these basic sets run about $100, but I'm not sure.

Do you have any clearance problems at the shackle bolts? I am not worried about the starter. Not a high maintenance part. Clearance for the plugs and such would be much nicer!

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!
 
Got my headers from Summit.

They're DynoMax with the JET Performance coating. They are also the longer version, which fits K5 Blazers (not S-10's) without interfering with anything.
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Can't remember the part # but I called Summit, and talked to one of their techs, and they suggested the DynoMax brand, as they're a bit cheaper, but with the satin finish coating, they should last a good 10 years without rust.
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And the Summit tech also suggested the long version, as the car version WILL interfere. He called them the 4-by version.

They fit great, and coupled with the shorty duals and Flowmaster 50's and crossover, I am quite pleased with the performance. I changed from Flowmaster 40's due to the constant interest that the local pohleece
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was taking with my truck. Gotta run low-key these days, and let the young kids profile, make all the noise, and then find out what happens when Johnny Law starts sniffing around for "perps".
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<font color=blue>I don't know everything, I just think that I do.............</font color=blue>
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muddin..... how much were your headers, do you like em? i want some headers before moab. so i got some time to think about it.

LOOK OUT MOAB, HERE COMES THE SUB!!!!!
scott,
1989 GMC suburban 3/4t 4" lift rollin on 36" swampers, tbi350, th350, np241
 
The part number is 811-1025 and they list for $179. These go back about as far as the block so you have room to run pipe around the t-case. I used mustang extentions after the headers so the pipes would clear the cross member.

<font color=blue>What part of my brilliance do you not understand?</font color=blue>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
I've run Doug Thorley's tri-Y headers for years on my 77. About $315, but they last
forever. Big thick flanges. Highly recommended.

-------
Rick Anderson ([email protected])
Tektronix, Inc. Beaverton, OR 503-627-2630
 
Yup you can gut the air injection off no problem...

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
I was inspecting ALL my emissions stuff last night. From what I see, the AIR injection involves the pipes from the exhasut manifolds, the diverter valve, the smog pump, and the carb(?). So, if I ditch AIR, does that mean I can ditch the smog pump off the engine, too? Seems to be the only thing it is connected to.

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!
 
yup... smog pump, valve, and the tubing can all go out the window, although if you have emissions , especially with an inspection you may not want to ditch it all. I have ditched it off cars here in MN when we had emissions and passed with flying colors, but we didn't have the visual.

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
yup... smog pump, valve, and the tubing can all go out the window, although if you have emissions , especially with an inspection you may not want to ditch it all. I have ditched it off cars here in MN when we had emissions and passed with flying colors, but we didn't have the visual.

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
I checked with a local testing place (several actually) and he said all they look for in the visual is muffler and cat. Will it impact my tailpipe testing much?

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!
 
ON my 86 blazer i got rid of the smog pump, have headers, and got rid of the cats, and when my mechanic hooked up the sniffer i still passed easily. So if all your doing is getting rid of the smog pump and keeping the cats, you should have no problem passing.
 
yes it will. Not having the o2 will prolly impact it also.

<font color=blue>What part of my brilliance do you not understand?</font color=blue>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
I had no problems when I ripped mine off getting by the same type test as you. The tailpipe sniffer pasted fine. If you want throw some alcohol or iso-propyl in the tank and it will easily make up for any air injection. Back in the short time I did emission work on cars we got a lot of cars to pass by dumping 2 to 4 bottles of iso-propyl in. I wish I had more info for ya as to the exact readings change but the air injection system pass back in my young 16 year old days. Most of the emissions will go on your cam choice. I'm not sure what Texas specs are either, so they may of varied from here in MN.

I think you will be fine as a crap load of our trucks have all the stuff but no tube leading from the valve to the pipe so it isn't doing anything then anyhow. I would just keep the stuff just in case.

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/captcrunch</a>
 
I don't have an O2 sensor now. All I have is the EGR, AIR, canister, and all the little vacuum switch do-hickies on the water neck.

Brian
Check out <a target="_blank" href=http://tx85gmcguy.alloffroad.com>My Jimmy</a> with all her projects!
 
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