Any off the shelf 2" headers for trucks? I tried fitting the kooks f-body ones in my 63 and they don't fit.

 

None that I know of. What headers are you using now, size & manufacturer?

 

For your '63? Do you have anybody close with a set of GTO headers to try? They seem to be closer for our truck than Fbody ones but still not the answer, maybe you'll have more luck.

 

Here is the deal. I habe a 63 Chevy Pick up with a 418ci LS in it. It made 521rwhp / 469ftlbs NA through a locked up 80E with:

11.1cr (72cc AFR 225's, -4cc piston, .045" gasket)
245/260 106icl 109lsa .646/.629 custom grind
Super Victor intake
NX 2 stage plate
4150 to dominator adapter
Dominator TB
EWP
UD Pulley
Edelbrock 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8 with a 3 1/2" high velocity collector for 4th Gen F-bod's


I think I might have been leaving power on the table with the headers both NA and most likely worse yet on the bottle.


I recently sold the heads to a buddy and went with a set of PRC 237's. With a 58cc chamber and a .051 gasket I am at about 12.9cr. I also put a new bumpstick in it 254/260 111icl 113lsa .630/.625. I am planing on running E85 now.

I am guessing that with the added volume of fuel for the E85 that I am probably leaving even more power on the table by leaving burnt gasses in the chamber. Add N20 to it and probably makes it worse. The plan is to use the 2 stage kit, first stage at 150, second at 150 moving to 250 at some point (300-400 total). All of this will be with E85.

I tried fitting a set of Kooks 2" primary with 3 1/2" collectors in the truck and both of the collectors kick out too far and hit the frame.

I tried a set of 1 7/8 Kooks headers for a TBSS as I have seen another guy use them with sucess in an older truck. The header would fit the truck fine, but the front primary tube makes a drastic bend and does not fir the PRC 6 bolt head. It passes right through where the 2nd and 3rd ear are located. Sure I could cut them off since I am running a LS3 block, but I feel that would be a waste if I ever wanted to sell the heads or go to an aftermarket block.

Being that I run a motor/mid plate I need something that drops decently quick after the last cyl's and fits the 6 bolt head and truck frame.


So this brings me back to running the Edelbrock for now until I can find something.


After my long story here, I am curious to know is anyone is making upwards of 800rwhp through a 1 3/4 stepped header?

Any other suggestions on headers to try? Might try to get a hold of some GTO Headers. Kooks said CTS-V's might fit as well.

 

Have you thought about soliciting out to some of the guys that make their own headers? I'd agree that especially on the spray you'd want at least 1 7/8 primaries considering you're set-up. I've spoken to a guy that made his own for his BMW LS1 swap project, routed them so they're all equal length, meticulous and superb welds, he kept all the measurements and would replicate a set if I pursue that route for mine. Maybe if you threw that out there to a few places you'd find some better luck? His price was very reasonable as well, gotta assume somebody near you can do the same.

 

Lemons is with in 2 hours of me but $1,800+ for a set of mild steel that still needs to be coated is a little spendy for me.

There are a couple of other guys but I know one wants $90 an hour, and the other is 300+ miles away.

This is why I am trying to find a set of off the shelf headers that fit.

Another idea would be to cut out the 1 3/4 n section on my edelbrocks and replace it with 1 7/8.

 

the 3.5" collector kooks that i had touched the frame. i ran my exhaust through an x pipe. before welding up the X i sinched the collectors in using a wratchet strap. after welding up the X we let the strap loose and the collectors missed the frame.

 

They hit so bad that I could not even get them close to bolting up to the head.