Header Headache
So I’m contemplating setting my dream car/money pit on fire and walking away from the project. My lack of research and stubborn determination became a major downfall when I decided to put a manual transmission into a ’79 Monte Carlo. I apologize up front for all the reading but I NEED HELP FINDING HEADERS!!!
I’ll start with the Muncie w/ mechanical linkage. Obviously the linkage limits some options, but my question is about the fork. I ended up going with the Lakewood option from a garage-scene page which I’ll use for a visual. http://www.garage-scene.com/t5-into-ag- ... .htm#15015
The few reps I manage to get on the phone have said that some headers which would work with other manuals won’t work on G bodies with manuals, because of the unique fork shape. Since I am using different bell housing, I can use a straight fork which as far as I can tell gives me up to an extra inch of clearance. But I am basing this on eyeballing the photos as I’ve never seen an OEM gbody setup. Can anyone tell me if this theory is or isn’t correct?
Vortec heads. I’m using a pair of 906 castings from a ’96 1500 pickup.
I talked to a couple reps from Jegs, and they told me that based on the combo (gbody, manual transmission, vortecs) my ONLY option was from a company I’ve never heard of:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Exhaust/7 ... 1/10002/-1
Anyone heard about quality issues or have an opinion about Patriot Exhaust? I’ve heard good things about Doug’s Headers which are sold thru PerTronix also.
Now, the problem I have with those specific fit headers is that they don’t fit on the driver’s side because the frame is in the way. A rep for Patriot said the only problem could be that I didn’t use the right motor mounts. Apparently there’s an “early” style mount that’s required for these to work. Any other mount will supposedly lower the block too much for the headers to fit, but the engine needs to come up at least an inch to match the ports. And even then, the collector will still hit the frame. (I would post a pic but I'm not quite sure how)
The passenger side will fit once I install tubular A-arms, as they currently rub against the stock A-arms.
Has anyone successfully used this exact model of headers in a MC? What mounts did you use?
I’m thinking of trying these from Doug’s Headers: http://www.shopatron.com/products/produ ... .26494.0.0?
Unlike the ones I have, these actually list as fitting a 70-87 MC. Also, every other company out there selling full size headers for a Monte uses this shape. Has anyone ever successfully fit these or a similar style (Hooker 2451-1) on their Monte w/ a manual transmission? Also, I’m going to lower the car 2 inches and currently have 15s. If I get past this problem, my next step is to get some 17s so I can use C5 brakes, which will add a little ground clearance. But either way, 15s or 17s, is ground clearance a major issue with full size headers?
On a side note, I want to make sure I understand the difference between full length and shorty’s. From what I’ve read, shorty’s produce more low and mid range torque while full length headers produce more horsepower at higher rpm’s.
With that in mind, I’ve been told two contradicting statements;
“Full length headers are the way to go with a street rod.”
“Horsepower wins at the track, torque wins on the street.”
Bottom line is that if you have successfully installed ANY brand of headers on a 70-87 Monte Carlo with a manual transmission please let me know the band and product#. I assume a Malibu and El Camino would be identical scenarios, so if that’s you please let me know what headers you used. I can do the research on whether they’ll fit angled spark plug heads. Thanks for your time.
-Andy
So I’m contemplating setting my dream car/money pit on fire and walking away from the project. My lack of research and stubborn determination became a major downfall when I decided to put a manual transmission into a ’79 Monte Carlo. I apologize up front for all the reading but I NEED HELP FINDING HEADERS!!!
I’ll start with the Muncie w/ mechanical linkage. Obviously the linkage limits some options, but my question is about the fork. I ended up going with the Lakewood option from a garage-scene page which I’ll use for a visual. http://www.garage-scene.com/t5-into-ag- ... .htm#15015
The few reps I manage to get on the phone have said that some headers which would work with other manuals won’t work on G bodies with manuals, because of the unique fork shape. Since I am using different bell housing, I can use a straight fork which as far as I can tell gives me up to an extra inch of clearance. But I am basing this on eyeballing the photos as I’ve never seen an OEM gbody setup. Can anyone tell me if this theory is or isn’t correct?
Vortec heads. I’m using a pair of 906 castings from a ’96 1500 pickup.
I talked to a couple reps from Jegs, and they told me that based on the combo (gbody, manual transmission, vortecs) my ONLY option was from a company I’ve never heard of:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Exhaust/7 ... 1/10002/-1
Anyone heard about quality issues or have an opinion about Patriot Exhaust? I’ve heard good things about Doug’s Headers which are sold thru PerTronix also.
Now, the problem I have with those specific fit headers is that they don’t fit on the driver’s side because the frame is in the way. A rep for Patriot said the only problem could be that I didn’t use the right motor mounts. Apparently there’s an “early” style mount that’s required for these to work. Any other mount will supposedly lower the block too much for the headers to fit, but the engine needs to come up at least an inch to match the ports. And even then, the collector will still hit the frame. (I would post a pic but I'm not quite sure how)
The passenger side will fit once I install tubular A-arms, as they currently rub against the stock A-arms.
Has anyone successfully used this exact model of headers in a MC? What mounts did you use?
I’m thinking of trying these from Doug’s Headers: http://www.shopatron.com/products/produ ... .26494.0.0?
Unlike the ones I have, these actually list as fitting a 70-87 MC. Also, every other company out there selling full size headers for a Monte uses this shape. Has anyone ever successfully fit these or a similar style (Hooker 2451-1) on their Monte w/ a manual transmission? Also, I’m going to lower the car 2 inches and currently have 15s. If I get past this problem, my next step is to get some 17s so I can use C5 brakes, which will add a little ground clearance. But either way, 15s or 17s, is ground clearance a major issue with full size headers?
On a side note, I want to make sure I understand the difference between full length and shorty’s. From what I’ve read, shorty’s produce more low and mid range torque while full length headers produce more horsepower at higher rpm’s.
With that in mind, I’ve been told two contradicting statements;
“Full length headers are the way to go with a street rod.”
“Horsepower wins at the track, torque wins on the street.”
Bottom line is that if you have successfully installed ANY brand of headers on a 70-87 Monte Carlo with a manual transmission please let me know the band and product#. I assume a Malibu and El Camino would be identical scenarios, so if that’s you please let me know what headers you used. I can do the research on whether they’ll fit angled spark plug heads. Thanks for your time.
-Andy
