sm block Camaro header question...

[iluv69s]

my headers have no collector flange and when I mount them to the motor, the collectors end right in the middle of the crossmember. I'd like to weld collector flanges so I can unbolt the headers from the exhaust. I am thinking I should shorten or lengthen the collector so the flange will not be right at the crossmember...
Is there any benefit to either way??

on other headers do the collectors end before the crossmember?? or after?? anyone gotta pic underneath thier small block camaro w/headers?

thanks again SYC

[smallblockhero]

depends on how much collector you have. slip fit connectors work very well when used with a band style clamp and are almost as easy to remove when needed. youll need at least 4-5 inches of collector to slip a pipe onto and seal properly when clamped. almost all modern muscle uses slip fit exhuast these days and it works well. do your collectors line up with the cross member exhaust humps?

[Salvatore]

my Hookers end before the crossmember on my 69 Z/28. most flanged headers end about 6-8" before the trans mount. Don't think I have seen any headers with welded flanges end after the cross member. would be real tough to install. usually long/short collectors are used to establish a torque range for the motor I believe.

[iluv69s]

the headers line up very well with the exhaust humps in the x-member. 6 to 8 inches seems like very short. I dont know if I have enough collector to cut them that short..?? I was now thinking I should bolt the body shell to the subframe prior to cutting and welding the flanges...just to make sure it fits and there are no clearance issues with the bolts, etc. I will do that soon as I need to testfit the body parts, glass, etc. before paint anyway.

thanks ..


for now I am going to just extend the headers with slip type 3" pipe and attach some mufflers so I can wake up this liitle mouse for the first time ever in 44 years!! hopefully this week!!

[Salvatore]

good idea.

[iluv69s]

thanks guys.....but does anyone know the whole scenario with the torque curve and the length of the collectors?? i remember reading about Smokey yunick or the Penske TA Camaro that they changed the header collector length to change/help the torque???

I'll put a few pics on this week when I get to working on the car again. thanks again.

[Xplantdad]

The old school trick was to put a length of painted pipe behind the collector...and where the paint stopped burning off is where you cut the collector.

I don't know how accurate that was though?

[Salvatore]

I believe longer collector means more low end but if you are going to be corked up and running around the street it won't matter. Besides there is alot more tuning involved for optimum performance. You are building a street car correct?