hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Is it possible to mate and weld a LS flange to my perfectly good small block chevy long tube headers?

Has anyone tried this? How hard was it?

I recently bought a 74 chevy camaro roller (no engine or trans) and I am putting my LS LQ4 6.0 motor and a turbo 400 into this car. The car came with a perfectly good pair of Doug Thorley small block chevy long tube headers that mate perfectly to ths dual exhaust on the car now.

Somehow adopting these headers to work in my LS swap would be a great money saver. Of course in this economy I am on a budget and every penny counts.

Hpbob1

Jimbo1367

Yes it could be done. What is the primary diameter though? I wouldn't want anything smaller than 1-3/4". The port spacing is off ALOT. It would be easier to adapt BBC headers. Say Summit Racing's own brand. Usually less than $100.00

I personally don't think using SBC headers are worth the effort. Just my .02

2006 z51 vette

iTrader: (10)

it will not work at all...
the exhaust port spacing is totally different

hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Hi Jimbo1367,

My headers measure 1 1/4 " wide by 1 5/8" tall for the inside diameter. I take it these are 1 5/8ths inch headers?

My LQ4 LS motor is a 6.0 (364 cid), with factory aluminum 317 heads. I will be adding the 02 Z06 cam, valve springs and LS6 intake to make close to 400hp.

So these headers have primaries that are too small for the LS motor?

Hpbob1

hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Hi 2006 Z51 vette,

The primaries can be moved for the new flange. I have heard of small block ford headers being fitted with LS flanges and used in fox body LSX mustangs.

Granted the small block chevy has the 2 inside exhaust tubes coming side by side on the small block flange to match small block chevy exhaust ports.

But if possible I am thinking of modifying and fabricating this set of headers to fit a LS flange to save money and use what I have.

Has anyone done this successfully? Are 1 5/8ths primary headers considered too small for a LS motor of about 400hp for street/strip?

Hpbob1

Rafko

iTrader: (1)

try using a ford header and ls flanges as they are evenly spaced...guy on here did it....

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

A few guys on this forum and TGO did the SBC conversion. 2 primaries per side get cut and moved. Two J-bends is enough for a set of headers

1 5/8" primaries flow more than people give them credit, size isnt everything. 5.3's and mild 5.7s love them. There are a few 1 3/4" header options available too

hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Hi Pocket,

I googled TGO and searched on this site, and got nothing. Is tgo a website, do ya have a link?

Any links to any other guys who have done LS flanges to small block chevy headers? I got a real nice set with this car and would hate to waste them.

I am brand new to 2nd gen camaros and relatively new to this site. But not new to muscle cars and drag racing. My 1st muscle car was a 67 camaro with a 327 and a muncie M22 close ratio 4 spd. Last few years I have been racing fox body mustangs.

Relatively new to this site and dont know all the threads you do.

Hopbob1

digitalsolo

iTrader: (24)

It is going to require a lot of work on the headers.

Have you looked at the port layout on an LS1?

hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Hi digital solo,

Of course I have looked at the port layout on the LS LQ4 317 heads. I never said the LS flange would pop right on. Obviously the header pipes will have to be heated and manuevered & modified. But fabrication here can be a lot cheaper than buying brand new headers for a LS motor in a 2nd generation camaro. I have seen prices for 500.00 and up for new headers.

These headers will be temporary. I am going to put a turbo on this motor a bit later when I can afford it using the factory truck manifolds. I was going to run naturally aspirated for awhile and I thought adopting these existing headers may be a inexpensive way to go for the time being.

Hpbob1

chevy6455

iTrader: (3)

It can be done and its not that big of a deal. quite a few people have done it and i'm going to do it on my Nova. Its just a matter of cutting the flange off and redirecting a few tubes. It's a lot easier than fabbing up something from scratch and probably going to be a lot cheaper too.

samsdad

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to mod two pair of shortie SBC headers for my 944 / 5.3 conversion.
Went to a big swap meet and couldn't find any decent ford or BBC shorties.
I've got $50 wrapped up in 2 pair of headers. I'm going to make my flanges on my drill press.
Next year's $2011 Grassroots Motorsports Challenge here we come.
Mark

Jimbo1367

using SBC headers isnt hard, just not worth the hassle IMO. If you want the cheapo way, get Summit or Jegs brand for a BBC and swap the flanges.

hpbob1

iTrader: (1)

Hi Jimbo 1367,

Yes the summit BBC camaro headers are about 129.00. So your saying with the even port spacing, matching 1 3/4 primaries etc, they should just about line up to LS flanges?

Anyone tried this? Bye the way, how much are LS flanges, where do I get them?

Thanks for any help guys. Again I am brand new to 2nd generation camaros and have just begun gathering my info, reading up, collecting pertinent threads, etc. I have years and years of experience in other cars.

I will be starting my build thread in a couple of weeks.

Hpbob1

Outlaw 03

It can be done I did a set. If I had to do over I'd use BBC or SBF headers to start with due to the center cylinder spacings. Jegs sells the flanges.

jslezak83

Looks like some pretty lousy plug clearance.

Bullitt4110

iTrader: (31)

From looking at pictures it looks like the BBC headers would be a lot easier to adapt for sure, through Summit a set of Summit 1-3/4" BBC headers and Patriot flanges is only $180 which is a whole lot better than $500+ for any conversion header.

Outlaw 03

Actully it's not bad... But yes BBC headers are a better starting point.

cleets

This is great ! I have a cj7 with a LS and always wanted fender exit headers. Was a little overwhelmed on building a set, now I will buy a amc cj exit headers and modify, great pic, saves me a lot of time

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

Hold a BBC gasket up to a LSx gasket and see why BBC isnt a good choice

Just did a set of side pipe headers on a C3 stingray. SBC to LSx flanges arent too hard, esp with long tubes