I;m replacing a 3.8 chevy with a 350 engine with straight plug heads and a 350 trans in a 82 elky I'm in need of some advice for the exhaust. pipes and headers anyone know what will work shorty headers are ok with me not a hp engine maybe something i don;t have to spend the whole ss cheak on thanks for any input
exhaust for my 350 el camino
- Thread starter jcelk
- Start date
Full length headers make the most power across the board, shorties are barely better than manifolds, and mid length are a decent upgrade with lots of clearance. Tri-y headers make excellent torque in a "street" powerband and are great for tow trucks etc.. A header flange needs to be thick so it doesn't warp so try to find ones that are 3/8" thick, no thinner than 5/16". For a 350 you'll want 1.5" primaries for a low performance cam/ heads, 1 5/8" for most setups, and 1 3/4" for a TPI or highly modified 350. For pipes you'll probably want 2 1/4" diameter but 2.5" is the most common and is alright for almost every 350 (just not perfect). Ball and socket header collectors are great- they hardly ever leak and don't require a gasket, 3 bolt flat collectors are most common, 4 bolt versions exist. If using the common 3 bolt type skip right over cheap paper type gaskets and buy the aluminum kind or you'll be replacing them again and again. A crossover pipe like an H or X helps equalize the back pressure on the exhaust banks to promote better/ equal flow. Chambered mufflers hurt flow but sound good, fiberglass packing kills high frequencies.
Many people simply buy a Pypes G Body kit but you can buy a "box of bends" and put together a nice setup with only a couple of hangers. Or skip the kit and just buy the exact pieces you need. You can easily do this for $300, less if buying used, more if getting fancy with stainless. Headers: $125 Mufflers: $50 Leaves $125 for pipes, clamps, and hangers.
Many people simply buy a Pypes G Body kit but you can buy a "box of bends" and put together a nice setup with only a couple of hangers. Or skip the kit and just buy the exact pieces you need. You can easily do this for $300, less if buying used, more if getting fancy with stainless. Headers: $125 Mufflers: $50 Leaves $125 for pipes, clamps, and hangers.
i'm an anti header kind so i would suggest hooker manifolds to avoid all the pitfalls of headers. also jegs has their own brand of trans x members for duals reasonably priced.
Those Hooker manifolds are nice. If that is still a bit out of your price point, using 350 stock manifolds and a true dual exhaust will be far better than a stock single exhaust. Both Jeg's and Summit have their name brand dual exhaust crossmember at a very reasonable price. I used the Jeg's crossmember with my TH350 but switched to the Summit crossmember (G Force copy) when I upgraded to the TH400.
great tips guys I appreciate all your responses knowledge is king. got the engine out of the donner car it;s a gm crate motor 2 piece seal old but low miles going to reseal it now I;ll keep you posted .thanks joe
I'm considering the hooker manifolds and the [ 30525 jegs exhaust system ] anyone have experience with this combo ? also the engine is a gm replacement crate motor with oil dipstick provisions on both sides 2 piece main i want to reseal it any gasket recommends ? I;m putting on an old edelbrock intake and a mickey thompson valve coves any input would be appreciated thanks joe
that i cant help with cuz mine were custom built thru local shop from manifolds to tail pipes that were pre made by flowmaster.
i put the cast hooker headers on they look great and welded up the g body exhaust i got from jegs that took some modifications thanks all for your input
