Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

[Mike L.]

I have a 64 numbers matching 327/365hp coupe. One exhaust manifold just cracked and my
question is "do I now put Headers on or try to keep original and put back on manifolds?

Mike

[Donald O.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Mike,

There is a lot less to change if you just get a stock replacement ram's horn exhaust manifold.
Have asked around locally to you if there is a cast iron welder that would do it?

IF you switch, you'll also need a new header collector pipe to connect to the rear exhaust pipe or bubba something to a side exhaust. Plus you may have to modify how the alternator is mounted, and the power steering (if so equipped).

BUT.... IF YOU RACE, you should have switched to headers along time ago.

Don

[Mike L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Thanx Don,

I was told that you can't weld cast iron manifolds!

[Richard G.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

You can weld them.
Brazing may be better.
Both are not the best fixes and easily identified.
What not just go on Ebay and purchase the correct manifold for your car?
The Non-FI manifolds are not outrageous.
GM made service replacement for years after our cars were manufactured.
They will fit fine and cost even less.
And of course, the China made copies that all the Corvette Parts dealers stock.
Best of luck.

[Ed S.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

It's a 55 year old car with engine technology that is 60 + years old. How much HP are you going to gain with headers - is it worth it? Course of least resistance is to find an original manifold. Probably a lot less expensive too.

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

I have a 64 numbers matching 327/365hp coupe. One exhaust manifold just cracked and my
question is "do I now put Headers on or try to keep original and put back on manifolds?

Mike

Mike------


I would not even consider putting aftermarket headers on any street car. Just buy another manifold. I prefer new ones. Excellent reproductions are available.

[Mark E.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Headers in a car with fiberglass body is a recipe for even more heat in the interior.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Mike------


I would not even consider putting aftermarket headers on any street car. Just buy another manifold. I prefer new ones. Excellent reproductions are available.

There are some reasonably good reproductions, and some really bad ones.
Paragon and others sell the reasonably good ones. Note that they are detectable, so if you want to be as original as possible you will look for a good used one.
Be careful on eBay and through mass-market sellers. A friend had a foreign junk one break the first day he ran the motor.

[Jack J.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Mike, which manifold cracked?

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

There are some reasonably good reproductions, and some really bad ones.
Paragon and others sell the reasonably good ones. Note that they are detectable, so if you want to be as original as possible you will look for a good used one.
Be careful on eBay and through mass-market sellers. A friend had a foreign junk one break the first day he ran the motor.

Patrick------


The inferior manifolds of which you speak I do not consider as reproductions. I consider those to be just replacements. I'd never use one unless there was absolutely no alternative.

[Joe L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Headers in a car with fiberglass body is a recipe for even more heat in the interior.

Mark-------


That's one of the biggest problems with headers, even on a steel bodied car but more pronounced on a Corvette. I once talked with a guy that had installed them on a 1971 LS-6. He said the heat problem in the passenger compartment was so bad he was going to remove them and go back to cast iron manifolds.

[Mike L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Passenger side below the original air conditioning. LOL.

[Mike L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Thanx Ed. I wanted to keep the car original as possible especially because the exhaust is original too but some motorhead
suggested that I put headers on.

[Mike L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Thanx Richard

[Mike L.]

Re: Exhaust Manifold vs Headers

Thanx Joe, that's what I was thinking but this is my first vette!