86 Olds 442

[Canon_Mutant]

Nice car! You really do not need headers on the stock 9 engine and since they are a PITA I would resist it. The carb secondaries are not your limiting factor either. It's all choked off in the engine itself and the factory exhaust is somewhat restrictive. As already suggested, a nice 2 1/4" true dual exhaust will help some [resist going any larger unless you have much bigger plans up front]. After researching my '87 for many years trying to keep the stock engine, there is sadly just not a whole lot you can do on the [9] that will be noticeable. Oh, I was given a 125HP QJ Nitrous kit so I did try it briefly and it worked quite nicely but the stock engine internals and windowed block would not have held up long had I continued plus it is just dangerous. If you actually do not like the factory rumble, you can quiet it down with larger performance mufflers if you choose to do a new exhaust. I've got 5x11x22 Magnaflows [all 2 1/2"] behind my big block that have just a nice mellow rumble at idle and you definitely hear it with your foot in it but at H/W speeds it almost goes completely quiet which I actually like now that I'm, um, a senior citizen!

Good luck . . .

 

[olds307 and 403]

https://www.sandersonheaders.com/sanderson-o351-header-set-for-350-olds-cutlass.html?category_id=41
These are the headers, not cheap but mine still look decent 10 years later. I like that silicone is all that is needed between the head and header. Either Copper or Aluminum collector gaskets work best. I currently have the Mr Gasket MLS stainless collector gaskets but haven't even fired the motor since the install. I had Percy's aluminum collector gaskets but the guy who did my exhaust chucked them and put in Ultraseals, which don't last on these headers. You will need 3" to 2.25" reducers, they come with 3" to 2.5" angled reducers. I have owned 3 sets and all have been fine, others have had issues, just look them over. Pretty much par for the header course.

 

[Tim Fortier]

Nice car! You really do not need headers on the stock 9 engine and since they are a PITA I would resist it. The carb secondaries are not your limiting factor either. It's all choked off in the engine itself and the factory exhaust is somewhat restrictive. As already suggested, a nice 2 1/4" true dual exhaust will help some [resist going any larger unless you have much bigger plans up front]. After researching my '87 for many years trying to keep the stock engine, there is sadly just not a whole lot you can do on the [9] that will be noticeable. Oh, I was given a 125HP QJ Nitrous kit so I did try it briefly and it worked quite nicely but the stock engine internals and windowed block would not have held up long had I continued plus it is just dangerous. If you actually do not like the factory rumble, you can quiet it down with larger performance mufflers if you choose to do a new exhaust. I've got 5x11x22 Magnaflows [all 2 1/2"] behind my big block that have just a nice mellow rumble at idle and you definitely hear it with your foot in it but at H/W speeds it almost goes completely quiet which I actually like now that I'm, um, a senior citizen!

Good luck . .

Thank you and I do want a deeper rumble all together. I honestly don't know what to expect from this for noise. I just want the American Muscle attention it deserves.

https://www.sandersonheaders.com/sanderson-o351-header-set-for-350-olds-cutlass.html?category_id=41
These are the headers, not cheap but mine still look decent 10 years later. I like that silicone is all that is needed between the head and header. Either Copper or Aluminum collector gaskets work best. I currently have the Mr Gasket MLS stainless collector gaskets but haven't even fired the motor since the install. I had Percy's aluminum collector gaskets but the guy who did my exhaust chucked them and put in Ultraseals, which don't last on these headers. You will need 3" to 2.25" reducers, they come with 3" to 2.5" angled reducers. I have owned 3 sets and all have been fine, others have had issues, just look them over. Pretty much par for the header course.

I think this will be the way to go. I had a Focus ST and wrecked it. But the parts are a lot less for my Olds. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Trust me, you do NOT want headers! They are not going to do squat for performance on a stock [9] and now you've got headers in the way of the oil filter and the inherent oil burn stink after the oil change, the starter or anything relating to servicing it, perhaps spark plug changing depending on the headers, not to mention all the exhaust leaks that they often have over time.

Though I am running W-Z manifolds on my big block which were some of the best flowing manifolds in their day, I cannot begin to get the power I am making to the ground using manifolds so why put up with PITA headers? Now, if I want to add more cam, more carburetion or fuel injection, make all the suspension, chassis, wheel/tire changes to hook it all up, then headers are worth while for my application. I want to keep my 442 "very streetable" and it sounds like you do too.

 

[Tim Fortier]

Trust me, you do NOT want headers! They are not going to do squat for performance on a stock [9] and now you've got headers in the way of the oil filter and the inherent oil burn stink after the oil change, the starter or anything relating to servicing it, perhaps spark plug changing depending on the headers, not to mention all the exhaust leaks that they often have over time.

Though I am running W-Z manifolds on my big block which were some of the best flowing manifolds in their day, I cannot begin to get the power I am making to the ground using manifolds so why put up with PITA headers? Now, if I want to add more cam, more carburetion or fuel injection, make all the suspension, chassis, wheel/tire changes to hook it all up, then headers are worth while for my application. I want to keep my 442 "very streetable" and it sounds like you do too.

The overall goal for this car is to maintain what it came with. With some more exhaust noise. I'm looking to just turn heads. I would like to keep the car running on what it came it. I know that there isn't a lot that can be done with the 307. It had about 8 seasons of car shows my parents attended with it and I would like to get back into that. As far as performance driven cars, I will be getting one of those later. Not sure what yet but I will let the misses decide.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Headers can be a pita but the shorties are closer to manifolds but flow much better. I highly recommend their ceramic coating holds up well and reduces under hood heat a lot. No blown out manifold to head gaskets with the nice thick 3/8" flanges, just need the occasional retightening. Use aluminum or copper collector gaskets with locking fasteners and that issue will taken care of. I had pics of my exhaust, they have disappeared. I will be under my car this weekend and will take pictures. I am using the back half of a Hooker 2.5" cat back exhaust with custom 2.5" front pipes and a compact X pipe tying them together.

 

[Tim Fortier]

I will be under my car this weekend and will take pictures

That would be awesome. I think I get it but Im thinking of a different Hooker exhaust than youre running.

 

[Tim Fortier]

Here are some Photos of it. replacing the Cat currently. The trunk has the original T-Top covers ( I believe )

 

[MrSony]

Cool. Yikes on those yellow hose covers.....

 

[Tim Fortier]

Cool. Yikes on those yellow hose covers.....

Yeah, no I know. At the time I was 17 and had yellow shoes so my parents thought that yellow was the way to go. I plan on taking them off. But I am easing into it. Don't want to break my moms heart quickly. She still loves them under the hood.