Alternative Conversion Headers
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Alternative Conversion Headers In Other words... A cheaper set of headers when you do a conversion. Like most of us I don't have a ton of money to throw at my car. Conversion headers make up a large part of my conversion budget costing at $500 and up. Nice headers, but is there something cheaper. The same Headers for a 2000 Camaro are a couple of hundred cheaper. Not looking for a $99.00 alternative. Just for a crossover that works or can be made to fit. There some "intersting" E-bay stuff as well as some mainstream items. What have you found that worked for you and in what and with what mounts too.
Me, I'm looking at Edelbrocks or Dougs for my A-Body with the appropriate mounts, but these cost 500+, so I'll have to save up for one of these or Find an Alternative.
Me, I'm looking at Edelbrocks or Dougs for my A-Body with the appropriate mounts, but these cost 500+, so I'll have to save up for one of these or Find an Alternative.
For my Chevelle, I used the Edelbrock swap headers.. other alternatives:
- You can cut some cost by not getting coated headers..
- You can also try picking up a used set of 4th Gen F-Body LS1 headers...for the most part they will fit your 71 Chevelle, maybe some minor tweeking might be needed.
- You can also modify some old BBC header by cutting the flange off and buying the LS1 flange to weld on and tweet any tube that might need some repositioning..
do some research and you well find out was done did before swap headers were around !
- You can cut some cost by not getting coated headers..
- You can also try picking up a used set of 4th Gen F-Body LS1 headers...for the most part they will fit your 71 Chevelle, maybe some minor tweeking might be needed.
- You can also modify some old BBC header by cutting the flange off and buying the LS1 flange to weld on and tweet any tube that might need some repositioning..
do some research and you well find out was done did before swap headers were around !
I think the Pacesetters would be a good choice. I bought them for my swap, haven't started it yet though. The flanges are beefy, the paint is cheap, perfect for someone who may have to beat them a little to get around the control arm ears. People are saying they work well for G-bodies, I would only think they'd work even better for A-bodies.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I was looking at Gen4 F-body stuff from pacesetters. They look the closest. I am trying to see what people have been using and with what success. Though it be nice to have a Header info page. I have seen the Gen4 stuff full length for around 200-250.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I can pick up a set of Edelbrock Universal Shorty headers #65173 or 65763 block huggers for less than $300.00 in there ti-tech coating. Hmmmm. Anyone try these?
Last edited by Pro-Tour Heavy Chevy; Jan 6, 2011 at 04:07 PM.
Check with these folks
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/
These are not high performance, but if you are considering shorty type they definitely will work. In the past they had more in their catalog than they show on-line. They have at least 4 different sets for LS motors. I got a set from them knowing I would have to modify them. They were great to work with sending me a nice box of scrap bends for $20. Once we had them fitting right I sent the headers back and they ceramic coated them for me for $115 and had them back to me in a week.
Pat
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/
These are not high performance, but if you are considering shorty type they definitely will work. In the past they had more in their catalog than they show on-line. They have at least 4 different sets for LS motors. I got a set from them knowing I would have to modify them. They were great to work with sending me a nice box of scrap bends for $20. Once we had them fitting right I sent the headers back and they ceramic coated them for me for $115 and had them back to me in a week.
Pat
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Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
I am going to run 4th Gen F body Pacsttrs on my Chevelle, I hav not startd th car but I mocked them up and thy fit quit well.
Also when I tried the truck -whn I fisrt go the engine- th flang was hitting the frame and I was using the std. adapter plate (S&P I believe it is called).
And the haders were tstd using the 1.25" setback mounts, to where the bellhousing is in the same position as SBC/BBC.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but I took them with my phone on low light, but hopefully thy illustrate my point.
You can also see in th last picture how the headers hang just about level with th crossmember and the truck pan is waaay lower than the headers.
Also when I tried the truck -whn I fisrt go the engine- th flang was hitting the frame and I was using the std. adapter plate (S&P I believe it is called).
And the haders were tstd using the 1.25" setback mounts, to where the bellhousing is in the same position as SBC/BBC.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but I took them with my phone on low light, but hopefully thy illustrate my point.
You can also see in th last picture how the headers hang just about level with th crossmember and the truck pan is waaay lower than the headers.
In Other words... A cheaper set of headers when you do a conversion. Like most of us I don't have a ton of money to throw at my car. Conversion headers make up a large part of my conversion budget costing at $500 and up. Nice headers, but is there something cheaper. The same Headers for a 2000 Camaro are a couple of hundred cheaper. Not looking for a $99.00 alternative. Just for a crossover that works or can be made to fit. There some "intersting" E-bay stuff as well as some mainstream items. What have you found that worked for you and in what and with what mounts too.
Me, I'm looking at Edelbrocks or Dougs for my A-Body with the appropriate mounts, but these cost 500+, so I'll have to save up for one of these or Find an Alternative.
Me, I'm looking at Edelbrocks or Dougs for my A-Body with the appropriate mounts, but these cost 500+, so I'll have to save up for one of these or Find an Alternative.
Last edited by wilson machine; Jan 7, 2011 at 07:18 AM.
Let me know if those work. I have a set of truck and GTO manifolds I'm going to try in my 72 442. I'm hoping the GTOs will work with the raised chevelle 307 frame mounts, tall/narrow motor mounts and the 1" setback plates.
The GTO manifolds seem to flow reall well.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles.../photo_03.html
The GTO manifolds seem to flow reall well.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles.../photo_03.html
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I am going to run 4th Gen F body Pacsttrs on my Chevelle, I hav not startd th car but I mocked them up and thy fit quit well.
Also when I tried the truck -whn I fisrt go the engine- th flang was hitting the frame and I was using the std. adapter plate (S&P I believe it is called).
And the haders were tstd using the 1.25" setback mounts, to where the bellhousing is in the same position as SBC/BBC.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but I took them with my phone on low light, but hopefully thy illustrate my point.
You can also see in th last picture how the headers hang just about level with th crossmember and the truck pan is waaay lower than the headers.
Also when I tried the truck -whn I fisrt go the engine- th flang was hitting the frame and I was using the std. adapter plate (S&P I believe it is called).
And the haders were tstd using the 1.25" setback mounts, to where the bellhousing is in the same position as SBC/BBC.
Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but I took them with my phone on low light, but hopefully thy illustrate my point.
You can also see in th last picture how the headers hang just about level with th crossmember and the truck pan is waaay lower than the headers.
Very nice fit. Post some more pics if possible. Lookin Good
I have heard of someone with a mustang doing the Jegs u weld it headers. Anyone try those, I think they are like $300 if I remember correctly. I am thinking of doing these when I do my foxbody mustang.
I think the dynatech headers are the least expensive of the swap headers I've seen. I tried F-body ls1 headers, but they weren't even close to fitting.
I went with Flowtech BBC headers for my application and cut and welded them up to LSx flanges. I think I paid around $130 for the new headers and another $100 for ball-socket collectors/reducers with 02 bungs already there and the bare LSx flanges.
Having an extra head laying on the bench was nice for checking fit with the spark plugs, too bad I didn't pay enough attention to how well the plug wires would fit
I got it all worked out though with a pair of ceramic spark arms though.
I went with Flowtech BBC headers for my application and cut and welded them up to LSx flanges. I think I paid around $130 for the new headers and another $100 for ball-socket collectors/reducers with 02 bungs already there and the bare LSx flanges.
Having an extra head laying on the bench was nice for checking fit with the spark plugs, too bad I didn't pay enough attention to how well the plug wires would fit
I got it all worked out though with a pair of ceramic spark arms though. 
