Making Buick 350 Headers for Gbody

[DoubleV]

I think a lot of people are deterred from buying headers after they've had a crappy set on their car.

Agreed, and I thought exactly that until I finally gave into buying my AR headers. Now that I see how a true quality set of headers fits, I would never bother with manifolds again. I would still never buy cheapo headers no matter how much power I may lose.

I initially wanted to run RA manifolds until the machinist building my engine told me how much low end torque I'd be forfeiting. Then there's also weight reduction and a cooler engine bay as an added benefit.

I had a similar situation. I bought a set of these special Olds reproduction exhaust manifolds that are supposed to be better than stock ( and I ported them to boot ) because I wanted to sqeeze every last ounce of power out of my weenie engine build but I just refused to go with the hassle of headers. After not realizing much gain with my ported manifolds and asorted other tweaks, I finally bit the bullet and got the AR headers, as there wasn't any other brand out there I would've even considered. Well I tell ya, if I had known these headers would've fit this good, I would've gotten them sooner. To boot, my car actually runs QUIOTER with the headers!

Can't wait until spring to go to the track and see what these headers ( plus my RPM intake and few other tweaks ) are worth over what I was running before.

 

[dogsht]

I would be surprised if you guys get anything that you would want, built for your car for $500. Remember its not mass produced Chinesium. I mean if you are buying the welding supplies and doing the labor are you going to do it for minimum wage? Me thinks $600 would be good and up to $700 not out of the way.

fwiw I had a set of cheap BBC gbody headers that I cut the flanges off had a pipe moved around and had a Cadillac header flange that I bought from a Cadillac vendor welded to it. The parts prices and labor for the fitting and welding was very reasonable and still had $600 in them.

Even then you at minimum should prep and put several light coats of good header paint on them allowing a day cure time between the first and second coats or have them coated. Also big fan of http://catalog.remflex.com/category_s/154.htm and they actually have gaskets for the Buick 350! http://catalog.remflex.com/BUICK_Header ... 13-005.htm Its great having a set that doesn't leak rust out or need retorqued.

 

[tobyp]

I agree with everything that you say. We must take the first step in making the prototype that eliminates the fitment issues that some have and some dont and research why. Once the fitment is taken care of we take the next step in design and flow. I think what we have been missing is a way to get a set fitted, then a person that has some connections and weight to throw around. Much of this stuff is starting to take place. THe gbody platform replacement products are starting to procure to make more interest in the platform, The buick is starting to get some recognition as being a straight easy drop in, no offense, but it is not a typical Chevy and is different in it's own aspects. Yes prople want lots of HP, but many like to be different than others, it makes conversation at car shows and around the poker table more entertaining. Popularity of the Chevy made parts cheaper. I plan to make products available for the Buick - G-Body platform because I believe in it. Every time I raise the hood and explain it's a Buick I get LOTS of interest in the Build. I guess if it goes nowhere I can say at least I tried!! I have faith this won't happen.

 

[dogsht]

Yea I always got lots of props and interest at the car shows & cruise ins with the big Cad in the Cutty. 80 cars of all makes & models 90+% all sporting the same belly button. Only ever had one punk kid say what is it and then why?.. it has to just suck fuel and be slow as a boat and then proceeded to tell me about the wonders of his LT1 Camaro. I was cool about it didn't say much but waited and caught him at the light when he went to leave. He grinned real big nodded and it was on. I was happy to have my drag radials. I left him bad and by about 60mph he gave up hit his brakes and turned off. He never did show back up at the weekly car show. But I'm sure he paid less for his headers. lol

 

[Intragration]

I think it would be great to have these available. It seems these wouldn't so much MEET a demand, as CREATE one. Many people may not even currently be considering Buick, because the headers don't exist. This could mean initially a slow response, building as people take into account the new option. As far as price, good headers are expensive, you either want them or you don't.

 

[tobyp]

I think it would be great to have these available. It seems these wouldn't so much MEET a demand, as CREATE one. Many people may not even currently be considering Buick, because the headers don't exist. This could mean initially a slow response, building as people take into account the new option. As far as price, good headers are expensive, you either want them or you don't.

You my friend hit the nail on the head, and say exactly what I have been preaching for months. THat is the reason I do what I do.

 

[tobyp]

update,,,,,, The donor of the headers to be given has determined that the headers are toast, they have been laying out and are to the point of rusted away. SO I search some more.

 

[tobyp]

update, purchased new hooker headers for a body, we will see how they go.

 

[dave1978]

I agree good headers for a 350 Buick may get me interested in Buick v8 again.Did the Buick 350 swap- in an 1980 Regal back in about 1990.The car was a good runner but limited you on upgrades.Prices were high back then for Buick engine stuff and I'm sure not much has changed.The main reason I stay away from Buicks is the crap oil pump system. I had trouble with it on both Buick 350's I had in the past.Maybe there is a way to get a pump system of a 3800 v6 type to work on an older Buick v8.They seem to be trouble free.I'm into Olds because I like different stuff,but would go to Buick if the oil pumps were better and they made headers to work in a g-body.I appreciate that you are trying to get this done for the unconventional enthusiast.

 

[tobyp]

I agree good headers for a 350 Buick may get me interested in Buick v8 again.Did the Buick 350 swap- in an 1980 Regal back in about 1990.The car was a good runner but limited you on upgrades.Prices were high back then for Buick engine stuff and I'm sure not much has changed.The main reason I stay away from Buicks is the crap oil pump system. I had trouble with it on both Buick 350's I had in the past.Maybe there is a way to get a pump system of a 3800 v6 type to work on an older Buick v8.They seem to be trouble free.I'm into Olds because I like different stuff,but would go to Buick if the oil pumps were better and they made headers to work in a g-body.I appreciate that you are trying to get this done for the unconventional enthusiast.

Well I put hooker 1103hkr headers in my cutlass and they worked fine. I also run a high volume oil pump that ta sells and everything seems to be working well