Dynamax headers scrape in lowered first gens!
10-29-2011, 10:34 PM
#1
Dynamax headers scrape in lowered first gens! So I installed GW L16 1 1/2" lowering rear springs in my 68 camaro because the JCW springs for some reason had the car looking like a joe dirt special - too much rake. I have Hotchkiss lowering springs in the front, I want to say 2".
Problem: The dynatech headers I installed in the LQ4 will get scraped more than a fisherman's knuckle. They were about 2 1/2" off the ground, with the new rear springs, like 1 - 1 1/2".
I love the stance, hate the scrape. I'm putting some half inch spring spacers in the front (which will raise the front an inch), maybe that will help a tad.
So let this be a lesson to you all: dynamax headers hang like 3 1/2" below the subframe of a first gen. If your car is lowered, be prepared to driver VERRRY slow over speed bumps.
I know Tony had this problem.
I might replace the headers, but then I will have clearance problems with exhaust hitting the x-member. We'll see how the spacers work.
Problem: The dynatech headers I installed in the LQ4 will get scraped more than a fisherman's knuckle. They were about 2 1/2" off the ground, with the new rear springs, like 1 - 1 1/2".
I love the stance, hate the scrape. I'm putting some half inch spring spacers in the front (which will raise the front an inch), maybe that will help a tad.
So let this be a lesson to you all: dynamax headers hang like 3 1/2" below the subframe of a first gen. If your car is lowered, be prepared to driver VERRRY slow over speed bumps.
I know Tony had this problem.
I might replace the headers, but then I will have clearance problems with exhaust hitting the x-member. We'll see how the spacers work.
Last edited by rp0029; 10-30-2011 at 05:11 AM. Reason: I'm a moron and called "dynatech" headers "dynamax" headers.
10-29-2011, 11:27 PM
#2
that seams to be Dynamaxs' glaring problem. The bright side is you have a pair of headers to model new ones from. Just a few inches shorter.
10-30-2011, 05:13 AM
#5
2) Could I have an exhaust shop shorten these headers by cutting them while in the car? I don't really want to pull the headers.
10-30-2011, 08:23 AM
#7
This is just an idea, and may not help a whole lot- can you shim the trans tail shaft up at all? This should bring the headers up just a bit. You may have to re-do the pipes at the collectors. I am going to try these headers on my 68 firebird with hotchkis springs. Any pics of how far they hang down?
Scott
Scott
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10-30-2011, 08:45 AM
#8
This is just an idea, and may not help a whole lot- can you shim the trans tail shaft up at all? This should bring the headers up just a bit. You may have to re-do the pipes at the collectors. I am going to try these headers on my 68 firebird with hotchkis springs. Any pics of how far they hang down?
Scott
Scott
10-30-2011, 08:48 AM
#9
Also, if I do decide to go to mids, would you be interested in purchasing my headers? I'll knock $100 off what I paid for them. The additional advantage to this is that it takes like 6 weeks to get them from dynatech. I'll know next weekend for sure whether I'm keeping these headers, so let me know if you're interested.
10-30-2011, 10:16 AM
#12
10-30-2011, 11:19 AM
#14
TECH Enthusiast
Be careful with the SW headers. I have the forward position mounts and bought a set they hit on the steering box and the idler arm. I took them off only to notice a hole in one of the welds at the flange. I called them up and offered to help them fix up their header so they would fit on basically any conversion. They said it would cost me $3k for a set of custom headers. Needless to say I went with some Kooks TBSS headers for about the same price. The quality difference is not even close. Kooks uses thick welds and makes a very nice header.
Last edited by 69 Ghost; 10-30-2011 at 11:30 AM.
10-30-2011, 11:35 AM
#15
Gen 1 Dynatech Header Clearance The lowest part (header flange) of my Dynatechs is just a smudge over 2 1/4" below the bottom of the subframe, which is about the same (or even a bit less) than some of the SBC Gen 1 cars around here.
So far, no scrapes but it's probably not as low as yours as you can see in this link.. https://ls1tech.com/forums/chevrolet...071-lives.html
I believe that I had said the motor mounts were Energy Suspension, but they are actually Prothane SBC standard height mounts.
So far, no scrapes but it's probably not as low as yours as you can see in this link.. https://ls1tech.com/forums/chevrolet...071-lives.html
I believe that I had said the motor mounts were Energy Suspension, but they are actually Prothane SBC standard height mounts.
Last edited by scatillac; 10-30-2011 at 11:43 AM.
10-30-2011, 02:15 PM
#16
10-30-2011, 06:09 PM
#17
I have hotchkiss 2" front drop springs (part no 19830012) and just installed the global west L16 1 1/5" lowering rear springs. Edelbrock IAS shocks all around. I must have the wrong mounts/frame stands or something, because look at this crap:
I'm going to try raising the front 1" with spacers, and if I still scrape a lot I am going to swap out some mid length headers or something. Before the lowering rear springs (think joe dirt) the exhaust was a bit low, but this is just too crazy.
I'm going to try raising the front 1" with spacers, and if I still scrape a lot I am going to swap out some mid length headers or something. Before the lowering rear springs (think joe dirt) the exhaust was a bit low, but this is just too crazy.