Headers and Duals for 86 442

[jasond1986442]

Hello, new member to GBodyForum. Have a 1986 442 and in the process of doing a mild restoration. I NEED to eliminate the existing exhaust manifolds and cheater duals.

Anyone has advise on what brand headers to install, H or X pipe, crossmember, mufflers...did you eliminate the O2 sensor?

thanks
Jay

 

[bill]

Hello, new member to GBodyForum. Have a 1986 442 and in the process of doing a mild restoration. I NEED to eliminate the existing exhaust manifolds and cheater duals.

Anyone has advise on what brand headers to install, H or X pipe, crossmember, mufflers...did you eliminate the O2 sensor?

thanks
Jay

Welcom to the Forum of GBODY!
check out Pypes Exhaust Systems....they have nice stuff. If you arent eliminating the ECM, you will need the 02 sensor. Most of the higher end headers (ARF, Hooker, Headman) have the bung for the sensor, the lower end ones mostly dont.

 

[DoubleV]

How much do you want to spend jasond? You may regret getting cheap headers but you will never regret getting American Racing headers.

Now being that you have the craptacular swirlport 307, the effects of headers ( which will be oversized for your engine ) will be diminished BUT just going true duals ( even with manifolds ) will make a big difference. That stock garbage setup Olds came up with was a joke.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Those ARH a $1000 but stainless and quality has been flawless. As said Olds exhaust set up was horrible but so is your 307's head flow. Get the ARH headers, custom bent 2.25" or a Pypes header back set up. I like my X pipe sound but some people don't. The H pipe also sounds good, both quiet and add power. The Hedman shorty or Elite series full length or the Sanderson shorties will also work OK. DoubleV had awful luck with the Sanderson headers. I had 3 good sets. Both shorty headers need custom bent down pipes. You can get a weld in O2 bung and I would convert to the 3 wire heated sensor. If you go the header route, start building a mild Olds 350 or 403.

 

[DoubleV]

Those ARH a $1000

Actually they're $895 shipped, but I'm sure the point you're making is that they're not cheap, and no they most certainly are not. Of course I got lucky and got mine for 'only' $695 so I could'nt be happier!

To me, paying top dollar for a set of headers is/was worth it in the short run ( painless installation ) and will be in the long run too ( they'll never leak or rot ). Of course they also make the most power out of any over the counter headers too.

 

[dogsht]

Just drive the 307 while you build you a proper motor. :lol: Ok headers and good exhaust is fine as it can be kept with a strong crisp 350/403. Generally for the minimal power difference I now go with a removable H. It always seems that you will have to be pulling it apart later for a transmission or oil leak, motor problem etc and nobody wants to hack up the exhaust and then it gets to be a pain or sloppy and fit seal issues going back together. My 2 cents.

 

[jasond1986442]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! My plan is to keep the car as original as possible. i'm not trying to make it a race car by any means and with a stock 307 i know you cant do much to it. I just need to make it sound better than that crappy exhaust. Trying to keep the costs down (with 2 kids, wife and a mortgage I'm on a tight budget). i've had the car for almost 10 years and haven't touched it in about 8 years. i need to get her back on the road.

So far my best bet is either Jegs or Summit...Hedman or Hooker? i can add the O2 section. Are they a pain to install?

I'll price out the American Racing, i have a dealer here in CT.

 

[jasond1986442]

Another quick question...for some reason it idles rough. Starts great, cold high idle works great, after it kicks down it wants to stall. Any ideas?

 

[dogsht]

It's likely a carberator issue. Check EGR valve & use drill bit to clean carbon out of tube on back of intake.

 

[jasond1986442]

Thanks. I replaced the EGR (it was original). Which tube on the intake? When i removed the old EGR the ports were pretty clean, is there another port somewhere?