mattyg92

ok so im looking to replace my exhaust, i was going to go with the complete kit with headers( thank you for the previous help!)

should i keep the headers, or go with the stock manifolds? the motor does have some work to it, but im just cruizing or having fun, im not taking it to the 1/4 mile strip

i was thinking stock 2 1/2 manifolds with the chambered exhaust

thanks for helping me!!!

zare191

I've got headers and chambered behind my BB 427. Probably too loud for some, but I love the sound. Stock exhaust manifolds were just too restrictive for me-----I love extra horsepower!

JohnZ

If you're just cruising and enjoying and don't mind:

Exhaust leaks
Blown header gaskets
Loose header bolts
Higher underhood temperatures
Melted plug wires
More heat through the floor
Low-hanging collector flanges
Speed-bump interference

Go with the headers

mattyg92

thanks!!

i have headers now, and im really thinking of going with the stock 2 1/2 manifolds and the chambered exhaust

do you like that look sound John Z?

TopLess62

John,

If I didn't know better, I would say that you are anti headers?!?!

JohnZ

Nope, I've had LOTS of headers on project cars, including open 4" sidepipes; just don't care for the hassle on a regular street car.

zare191

Am I lucky! I've never had any of those problems

mattyg92

do the stock 2 1/2 manifolds compared to shorty or long headers, do they really hurt that much?

mattyg92

where could i find an audio clip of the offroad exhaust?

i tried searching you tube; does anyone here have a clip i could hear?

thanks

TopLess62

All you need to do is stick your head out of your window on a nice summer day in my neighborhood!!

saopm

You might want to check out this thread

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1817184

I am planning on doing my exhaust this winter and will most likely go with the FlowMasters with the stock exhaust manifolds.

Listen to tintin's post on the second page.

L79vette

My car gained 25 wheel horsepower going from 2.5" manifolds to headers, first pull with no tuning. 10 more HP was found with some richening up. 35 at the wheels is about 40HP at the crank. This was starting from a full 2.5" system with X-pipe and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers - it was maxed out as an exhaust manifold system, and yet there was that much on the table.

My headers do not leak, bolts do not come loose, no problems.

It was quite a project for me with my ham-handed mechanic skills, and I wound up getting the collectors re-welded to route the pipes the way I wanted. Sounds awesome and made a very significant power increase.

But - I was fooling around looking for more power, and planning my cross-ram install for which I wanted to get the higher RPM breathing. If you're crusing around and not looking for bunches of power, there's no reason to move away from the manifolds. Ultimately the car will sell better the more stock it is too.

Edit: one more note: I already had a large-ish cam in place - 235 degrees @ 0.050 lift. With a cam with less overlap, you would gain less power.

mattyg92

yes i do have a lump cam, but i was looking at those tight tuck headers, they almost look like they would bolt up to a stock pipe, im not sure, i would have to look into it more, but yes i am still torn between the flowmasters, which is on the car now, or going with stock 2 1/2 manifolds with a 2 1/2 off road exhaust'
yes i want to have fun with the car, but i do not plan on going to the dragstrip

L79vette

Why are you wanting to change if you already have headers and Flowmasters? Are the current pipes giving you trouble?

As far as the 2.5" off-road pipes: As far as I know, all stock undercar pipes feature the crushed-down section that goes under the seats. If you take the pipes off and look at them, you will be amazed how much the cross-section is reduced there. With a good exhaust shop, you can have full-size 2.5" pipes all the way from the collector to the muffler and have excellent ground clearance too.

I bought a correct pipes kit for the '54, and wound up having to get one of the pipes tweaked by an exhaust shop because they did not fit as shipped. I would not mess with a kit again. You can get what you need fabricated at good prices and not have to fool with paying shipping on a big heavy box.

mattyg92

my exhaust thats on the car now looks like crap; wrong hangers, pipes are real rusty, thats why i want to change it

with all the feedback i have been getting, i think im going with the tight tuck headers, and flow's made at a exhaust shop

BarryK

Matt
it's a midyear, go for the sidepipes!

tangel2

I realize you aren't going for all-out power, but my understanding was that tight-tuck or "shortie" headers do not flow any better than the stock manifolds, but have all the disadvantages pointed out by JohnZ - the long primary tubes are the primary factor in the improved performance capabilities of a header.

mattyg92

well if that's the case on the shorty headers, than i would just put stock 2 1/2 manifolds on it.

because i dont like the full length header, and i was going with the shorties