Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LS1 Thirdgen Headers. Need to make a decision

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 08:57 PM
  #1  
SheldonZ28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Default LS1 Thirdgen Headers. Need to make a decision

Hey Everyone.

Im at the point in my swap where i need to make a decision on exhaust.

Ive got truck manifolds, and they wont work, so i need to either buy F-body Mainfolds/Cats, Stainless works LT headers, or make my own headers.

Im trying to justify to myself spending $800 on headers, when ive spent $1000 over budget already, but im not exactly looking forward to doing the exhaust twice.

If anyone could give input to ease my decisions, that would be awesome!

Sheldon
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:05 PM
  #2  
fast377's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland, GA
Default

You only have three options:
1: Drop a grand on hawks
2: Stick with manifolds
3: Do like I did and make your own

It most defininately sucks, but that's all that's out there. If you go the hawks route, don't use their y pipe. From what everyone says it doesn't fit for ****.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #3  
SheldonZ28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by fast377
You only have three options:
1: Drop a grand on hawks
2: Stick with manifolds
3: Do like I did and make your own

It most defininately sucks, but that's all that's out there. If you go the hawks route, don't use their y pipe. From what everyone says it doesn't fit for ****.
Im aware of the y-pipe and costs. Im a very skilled welder, but im not sure i could fabricate my own headers.

Do you have any pictures of your headers? How hard was this to do? Ive spent the last 4 years perfecting my welding and fabrication, spent the last two summers working in a Manufacturing plant fabricating parts to improve production etc.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 09:36 PM
  #4  
ch3089's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Default Headers

I used a set of 23 degree small block headers, cut the flange off, and modified 2 tubes on each side and they work great. They are all tig welded and fit the chassis awesome!!!! I think if you have any welding skill at all it can be done!!!!! I purchased two 1 3/4 J bends from Jegs that are on a 2.5" radius and it did the trick!!!! I may be able to post pictures later!!!!
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 10:33 PM
  #5  
V8Rumble's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Mtn thin air & snow...
Cool

Originally Posted by ch3089
I used a set of 23 degree small block headers, cut the flange off, and modified 2 tubes on each side and they work great. They are all tig welded and fit the chassis awesome!!!! I think if you have any welding skill at all it can be done!!!!! I purchased two 1 3/4 J bends from Jegs that are on a 2.5" radius and it did the trick!!!! I may be able to post pictures later!!!!
Right on, that's great to hear! I'll probably give that a shot myself then - it's gotta be worth a try before $pending a small fortune on the Hawks units...
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2008 | 11:07 PM
  #6  
89 formula350's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
Default

I was thinking BBC swap headers (hooker brand) would be bad ***. they go around the frame rather than inside near the trans. which looks like they would clear even the spohn trans mount. now just need to find some used ones cheap
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2008 | 05:54 AM
  #7  
s10-den's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: florida
Default

hell man, if your on a budget, just use the manifolds,they flow "ok" unless you need the extra 10-14 hp, for $800.Just depends on what your plans are later on.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2008 | 07:39 AM
  #8  
Deeavi's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 2
From: Bowman, SC
Default

Talk to Nick @ American Racing Headers. Maybe he can help you.

My believe is, If you are going to do it, Do it right the first time!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 10, 2008 | 09:43 PM
  #9  
V8Rumble's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Mtn thin air & snow...
Default

Originally Posted by 89 formula350
I was thinking BBC swap headers (hooker brand) would be bad ***.
Yeah, I'd agree with ya, except for one thing - they're 1-7/8" primaries, instead of 1-3/4". The larger size hasn't been proven to make any more power, & they'll just make it a little bit harder to work in that area (changing plugs, etc.).

Originally Posted by 89 formula350
they go around the frame rather than inside near the trans. which looks like they would clear even the spohn trans mount.
Yeah, that would be especially cool for me, since I've gotten a Spohn tranny mount for just the cost of shipping it to me. Guess I'll look around for another set of 1-3/4" headers...
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2008 | 10:42 PM
  #10  
fast377's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland, GA
Default

Originally Posted by SheldonZ28
Im aware of the y-pipe and costs. Im a very skilled welder, but im not sure i could fabricate my own headers.

Do you have any pictures of your headers? How hard was this to do? Ive spent the last 4 years perfecting my welding and fabrication, spent the last two summers working in a Manufacturing plant fabricating parts to improve production etc.

Thanks!
Here is the thread back when I did mine: https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...hlight=headers

Considering all I had to work with was a cutoff wheel and I had never made any before, I think they turned out quite nice. They weren't really that hard to do. They just took a while. Cut, tack, cut, tack, grind, tack, cut...you get the idea.

They fit perfect until I finished welding everything. A couple of the primaries move a litte because of the heat on the driver side. Since I designed them to NOT hang below the oil pan, they were kind of tight around the control arm mount. So I ended up having to put a little ding there.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2008 | 05:27 AM
  #11  
Ram Air IV's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Default Headers

It is fun to make your own headers, but it takes a lot of time if you want them to be tuned. Here is some picture from when I did my headers. I dont think it is so much cheaper to fabricate your own headers. M
Attached Thumbnails LS1 Thirdgen Headers. Need to make a decision-finish.jpg   LS1 Thirdgen Headers. Need to make a decision-left.jpg  
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:07 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE