Info from Olds Lovers

[Oldscarnut]

1. I am knee deep in my engine swap from Buick V6 to Olds V8. The 68 350 is in the machine shop now and so I am making lists of parts to buy in intervals I can afford. I am having great difficulty figuring out which Headers I can use when 75% of them listed for an Olds 5.7 350 state fits SBC in the write-up. I need a set of headers that fits a 68 350 AND a 1980 El Camino. I am sure some have put 350's in their G-Body Olds so it is to those people I appeal for information. For about the same money I can get stock ex manifolds, but I am not trying to make this a restoration, just an upgrade. I can imagine that clearance is extremely tight and I like nothing less than taking a new set of headers and tinging them to fit when the manufacturer says they will fit. My last project required a engine mount lift and torque straps to work because the steering column rubbed when the engine was making HP. There are many and I know nothing about any of them in the last 20 years!

2. Since I will NOT be installing Cat converters, does anyone know of a bolt-on dual exhaust for Olds V8s in G-Body exiting the rear?

The shops here are chicken to do work on the books and want to charge 3 prices for "custom" work. I am not Chip Foose or Bruno who just go get the priciest systems and put them on, simple! I am on a budget and my budget does not include custom anything. I want it to look right, but more importantly I want it to sound like an H.P. Olds

 

[fleming442]

G-force crossmember, just get headers for any G 442,as far as dual exhaust, there are many opinions- I like Pypes,but a few have had fitment issues.

 

[TURNA]

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335822911&icep_item=382585924617

 

[spidereyes455]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-58070/overview/year/1980/make/oldsmobile/model/cutlass

These were the headers I used about 20 years ago when I swapped the v6 out for an Olds v8 in my 80 Cutlass. It was about the only option at that time except for hooker super comps that cost 3 times as much. There are others now days but I can't comment on their fitment.

 

[Oldscarnut]

G-force crossmember, just get headers for any G 442,as far as dual exhaust, there are many opinions- I like Pypes,but a few have had fitment issues.

Thank you! I need a twin exhaust crossmember so I will check it out. I like the shorty headers out there more than the long tubes. I'm checking out Pypes now! Thank you!

 

[pagrunt]

Don't forget to check the Jegs kit alot of us are using.

 

[Oldscarnut]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-58070/overview/year/1980/make/oldsmobile/model/cutlass

Hedman have always been my choice, but so many tell me that the companies I used to know are not the same today, ie Mondello, I will check them out again and there will be a chronicle of the build as I get there! Thank you!

 

[Oldscarnut]

Don't forget to check the Jegs kit alot of us are using.

Will do. Jegs and Summit pop up on every search I do, but so often they only show things for a SBC 350 5.7 when I am searching Oldsmobile...and the confusion is GM's fault...Interchangeable my KEESTER!

 

[Huen79H/O]

The exhaust is the same for 260 olds to 403 olds I have the same problem when buy parts for my Hurst olds that has a 350 olds from factory part store tried to sale my sbc gaskets I search for olds 307 for headers because that is a stock engine in a 442

 

[olds307 and 403]

Check out Rouge Ryder's thread, he just used Pypes SBC down pipes with Thornton shorties. There are Pypes and Ram Air Restorations has down pipes for those Thornton headers but may need mods under a G body. I used Sanderson Shorties with custom bent 2.5" down pipes into a compact X pipe into a Hooker 2.5" catback exhaust all under the passenger side of the single hump cross member.