Finished >>
Update for my 1995 Corvette header install.
The Headers are the Hooker Super Competition shorty's designed to bolt to the stock exhaust system. (replace the manifolds basically) I paid ~$330 from Summit Racing for them.
Well, the header install took longer than expected due to a number of reasons.
First of all I had to dimple the tubes around where the bolts are because there wasn't enough space to get a wrench on the bolts (you would think header companies would do this for you since it ALWAYS has to be done). Also, I had to grind the lips off the factory studs (for the brackets and oil dipstick) because there was not enough clearance for them and I didn't want to dimple the headers that much.
After I got them on then I realized that the EGR tube (which is metal) was now too long because the factory manifolds have the EGR connection between the two middle runners and one the headers it is on the #6 pipe. So I had to cut about a 1/2" to 1" out of the metal line and then weld it. I was worried about using rubber tubing because of the hot exhaust gas. On the drivers side it fit because they already use rubber over there because it is after the check valve, but since the passenger side is dual purpose (EGR and AIR, depending on the flow direction) I was afraid it would melt the rubber.
Then, over on the passenger side I found that the brackets that bolt to the exhaust studs (to support the AC and accessory bracket) didn't fit on the stud due to the clearance of the header tubes. So I had to cut the tips off the bracket rods and now they fit.
The headers themselves actually fit really nicely in there, however.
But the car feels alot stronger now above about 4500RPM. So that's good. And it's certainly quieter now which is the important thing! The factory passenger side manifold turned out to have 2 NASTY cracks in it!
After inspecting my passenger side exhaust manifold, I found that the port for #2 was basically cracked all the way off (right after the bend going toward the collector). The only thing holding it together was the iron bar that runs between all the ports along where the gasket is. It was also 75% cracked at the same point off the #8 port.
The drivers side manifold was fine.
Another interesting note: On the cast iron LT-1 manifolds (at least for a 1995 anyways) the two center exhaust ports share a common runner. So basically there is one big runner for the center two ports, and of course seperate ones for the outside ports. This seems to be very detrimental to performance. It's interesting that the on the Camaro cast LT-1 manifold, there is an individual runner for each port, even the two center ones. Maybe because it was designed after the 'vette one or something. But that right there is probably a major contributor to why it seems to have improved the performance.
Oh well, talk to you guys later.. I have to start sanding my Camaro's hood (for the 3rd time...)
-Dave C.
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