Step ..... Fender. Only makes sense for all apparent reasons.

 

Possibility is there to lose some low end power with the shorter headers.

Not to mention they sound terrible IMO.

 

This ^ ^ ^


Way too many people watching way too much TV. :wink:

 

OP I built a set of fender exits for my car over the winter..... They are 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8 with 3.5 inch collectors with mufflers on them. I built them to gain ground clearence as my car is real low but they seem to hurt low end power a little...... That being said mine is only 355 inches and around 590-600 HP..... They might work better on yours pm me if your interested in them.

 

I'm interested in purchasing a set of front exits. Sent you a pm.

 

 

Don't like em. Sound terrible as was stated before. Just copy cat Pro Mod setup.

 

I went with fender exits mainly to allow easier transmission removal if needed. The benefit of the car staying cleaner underneath and quieter inside was just a bonus. I think it sounds pretty good at 8000 rpm too.

 

Shorter headers can be helped with the right merg collector.

 

have a friend that just had a set made for a 69 nova,bigblock.you have to notch the corner of the firewall box to center the collector in the fender.he loves them.his car is stock front subframe-but has a midplate installed on it.so headers where a bitch under the car.plenty of room this way. the above picture shows the collector not centered and that is why you notch it back.

 

Incorrect, it is notched.

 

I just went with front exit and love them. I have had to remove them 3 times in the last 2 days due to gasket and spark plug issues. Took me maybe 10 min. to get them off and 20 to get them back on! And my headers aren't 2" from the ground. Sounds great also.

 

I'm curious as to why the front exit headers would cause low end power loss?

 

I'm going to guess that fender exit headers usually have shorter tubes..

 

I think the HP is a push with a set of properly built headers. The pros are ground clearance and heat under your feet. If you are not a nitrous car, I feel that ground clearance is the only real reason to do it.

 

Car is just a n/a deal running methanol. I'm just trying to get every drop of hp out of the motor as possible.

 

Long tube headers then.

 

PROS: Ground clearance, heat, way easier to work on everything, under the car stays a lot cleaner, and it gets the exhaust fumes out from under the car. If they are properly made, you wont lose any power and they sound great.


CONS: You have to cut a hole in your fender, if you like that look IMO there are no cons.

 

I'm doing a set for the GTO this winter. Alky fumes almost kill ya because of how low it sits. I have sealed the floor a couple of times but it's still too bad to take.

 

Do you have any turn outs at the ends of the collectors?

 

Working on a friends 55 right now. I can tell you, starter change-out is a breeze! Also, way less heat to said starter!

 

Are there any formulas out there to determine what header tube diameter and length primary tubes as well as collector size and length I should use for optimum horsepower? I know going too big is probably just as bad as going too small? If it's trial and error it can get really expensive.

 

Pipe Max is one.

 

Back to back testing on my junk. No SIZE change, just going fender exit over the 800 dollar hedman race deals i had (nova also, which with these btw you almost had to remove header to get #8 plug out) I also took 30 pounds out of the front of the car. So MAYBE its not a back to back test but close enough. It sounded less crisp and I was expecting ET loss. The car picked up 2 tenths on the same nitous tuneup...

 

OP I will have some pics for you tomorrow

 

Been thinking of going to a fender setup as well, alcohol fumes are the main reason for me as there is not a lot of ground clearance to put on turnouts.

 

What are the main things to keep in mind while purchasing/building a set of headers? Is there a happy medium of proper primary tube diameter and length to shoot for and what about collector lengths and diameter? My car has a front mount rack and the steering geometry is totally different from stock so a off the shelf header doesn't look like it's going to work. I'm torn between trying to build a set on my own or get a custom set made. I'm afraid of building them on my own and loosing horsepower by doing something wrong.

 

A custom set is going to cost $$$$ , a set you do yourself is going to cost $$ for parts and your Time. As i said above Pipe Max will get you pretty darn close, Or talk to some companies ( not aftermarket big box stores ) that sell header kits/ parts , most are helpful and could suggest tube diameters, lengths and collectors shapes. A good winter project when you are not rushed.