68 Camaro LSX Headers

[Bowtie78]

I am new to this forum so please take it easy on me. I have been looking for hours with no great answer to my question on recommendations on headers. I will be running a LSX 454 engine and a T56 Magnum on a stock sub frame w/ DSE subframe weld in connectors and factory p/s in a 68 Camaro. The car has lowered body on chassis from Global West interlocking body mounts, I believe 1/2 inch drop. I am spending some big money on engine and trans swap so only want to buy one set of headers for this so I am thinking stainless steel and need at least 1 7/8 primarys and 3" dual per builder and dyno tests. My exhaut now does not hang any lower than the frame and I would like to keep it that way due to low ride height. I do not have any mounts yet so that is versitle to header selection. I, along with many of you out there have had the leak prone 3-bolt collectors so I would rather have something that seals up better like ball & socket or V-Clamps but I dont even know how they work (no experience with them). Also dont have any expecience with the slip style collector but does not sound real leak proof. Also would like easily removable X-pipe, possible ball and socket so can be removed for trans/clutch work. Engine builder says will need to be 3" or it will choke motor so tailpipe probably wont happen from what I see. Currently has custom currie 9 inch and Global West road race springs, believe 3" drop and my tailpipes now come out between leaf and 1/4 panal with 2 1/2 and is very tight so if exhaust has to stop before axle I guess I will deal with it but would prefer out the back. Also would like to be mandrel bent in stainless. Would be fantastic to not have to spend another 2k on headers, but also dont want them to bend, leak, rust, not seal or buy 3 set to find one that will works. Thanks for any help guys. Oh yea if it matters a Lakewood bellhousing.

[Taylor1969]

Unless you are going to go with a custom built for you header you may want to use regular (non drop body mounts). I think that you may encounter Tunnel issues for the trans.

You may want to give lemons and stainless works a call on the headers. They are some of the best (albeit most expensive) options out there

[Bowtie78]

Not saying I wont spend 2k on some headers if I have too but just looking for stainless steel with 1 7/8 primarys that will work with p/s and stock frame preferably with v-bands. Are there really only 2 people that make these?

[CarlC]

Does DSE have any recommendations?

[XLexusTech]

Does DSE have any recommendations?

I think he said he wanted to avoid spending insane money on headers

APPLICATIONS

PART NUMBER
PRICE
BUY
1967-1969 CAMARO/FIREBIRD AND
1968-1974 NOVA
061001
$2230.00

[Bowtie78]

If it really comes down to spending 2k on headers I will, I gonna end up spending 30k on the motor/trans swap to make 700hp and not scatter everything on the highway anyway but if I can find something that will not leak in a month for 1k I would rather do that. DSE has some headers but they are $2200 and Lemons can make some SS ones with v-bands and 2" primarys and 3.5 collectors but they are $2600 it just make you wanna cry. I know they take some time to build a quality piece but this is just out of hand.

[CarlC]

Insane is a matter of perspective. Getting an incorrect header after dropping a load of money into a great engine is also insane if the goal is to save a few buck. After dealing with cheap headers for too many years, I can honestly say that spending the money for good headers is well worth the cost.


There's not going to be an off-the shelf header header that's going to be perfect that will be under $2k (no coatings.) The ATS headers started there for mild steel and went to $3k for stainless. Lemons may have something they can modify but it's not going to be a Summit cardboard box delivery option.

[Bowtie78]

Have talked to Dan at Lemons quite a bit, great at answering e-mails and questions just a ton of cabbage to spend, and I know exactly what you mean about the cheap headers thats why I think I want to go with a v-band, never heard of anyone say those leaked and will make trans/clutch work easier.

[XLexusTech]

Supply and demand my friends supply and demand. It's only insane if their is no demand. Usually what I do is invest the coin in the tools I need to buid this stuff myself this way after spending the $$ I have a tool (a tig in this case) the experience ans the pride of doing it myslef and not taking the $$ way out.
I haven heard anything bad about the Hookers for under 600.00.
I don't know if you would consider those.

1 3/4 perhaps? http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/p...oducts_id=1163

[wrkcar]

American Racing Headers make a 1 7/8 and 2" for about a grand.

[rickk]

lemons headers.
rick k

[7TSS]

I don't have any 1st hand experience with these but they look well made and nicely priced. Mark Stielow said he bought these unwelded and shortened the tubes to fit nicely in his latest project that has a DSE subframe. Should work well in your stock sub.

I would also recommend using standard height body mounts.

http://www.kookscustomheaders.com/sh...=&make=&model=

[Bowtie78]

Engine builder said that they tried 1 3/4 and it choked motor back, smallest they would recommend it 1 7/8. Are the kooks ball and socket? They dont have much info on there site what they do and dont fit, anyone with any experience with these. If I have to use standard height body mount I will switch them out, not a big deal.