LS Swap headers

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by toddoky

I subscribe to your way of thinking 67rally, the market has seen quite a few new parts for 1st-gen LS swaps come out over the last year that gives more choices than ever to each user, depending on what his goals/budget require. Many of these parts offer improved quality (through CAD/FEA design and lean manufacturing) and more affordable prices compared to parts of the past and present opportunities for installing parts that are designed to work as a system as opposed to a mixed bag of parts from various manufacturers. Times are good for 1st-gen swappers in the planning stages of their projects or getting ready to make parts purchases.

toddoky, the new Hooker stuff looks great and if I were just starting the swap I'd probably go this route. I even advised a friend doing the swap to look into your complete kit, and he bought it.

But as I stated in my original post on page 1:

Originally Posted by 67rally

I liked the idea of the new Hooker headers, but I'm not willing to swap out my almost new Holley oil pan (1st version) or my engine mounts/trans x-member. The Hooker/Holley stuff looks great, but they came out with it a year too late for me, so I'm looking at other brands.

I can't justify throwing out a practically brand new Holley oil pan, BMR trans x-member, ES motor mounts, Dingo sliders, etc.

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I'm willing to put the time and effort into finding a decent fitting header given my existing components.

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[Vince@Meanstreets]

Fretde

[67Rally]

FWIW, I'm into my current headers for $187.10 (brand new including shipping) plus another $4.95 for some copper RTV sealant. I already had the sledge hammer to beat the tubes into submission, and I installed them myself.

I was just looking to see if any of the mid-price stuff might work with the mounts/x-member I already have. I could always see if a machine shop can mill the flanges to seal better on the heads, and ground clearance is fine.

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This thread isn't about whether $900-1200 is too much for a nice set of stainless steel headers. It's about whether or not there is a cheaper alternative that fits.

[67Rally]

Well, after a few weeks of researching, emailing, PM'ing, three different threads on three different sites...I had narrowed it down between the Dynatech's and the Doug's 3337's. I ruled out the Texas Speed because there just wasn't enough info on them, and I wasn't crazy about the design.

The guys from Dynatech were great with trying to help, but it's the same design as the Texas Speed stuff (still wondering if Texas Speed copied them, or if Dynatech is making their headers).

So I ordered a set of the Doug's 3337's (jwcarguy's pics helped push me to the final decision). My only hesitation was that they look identical to the ebay brand headers that I was looking to get rid of. In fact, when I first got them, I thought they were identical, but there are subtle differences in the tube design (i.e. the guys in China didn't do a perfect job on the knockoff). I installed them this weekend. I ended up moving my engine and transmission about 3/4" back towards the firewall and I'm very happy with the clearance.

ebay Header passenger side:


Doug's 3337 passenger side:


ebay Header driver side:


Doug's 3337 driver side:


Doug's clearance:






Doug's driver side ground clearance:


Doug's passenger side ground clearance:


About 4" of clearance on passenger side, and 4.5" on driver side:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

that looks pretty good, nice fitment.

What engine mounts again?

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

that looks pretty good, nice fitment.

What engine mounts again?

LOL, I was just going back through the thread to see if I had posted it here.

I'm using the tall & narrow '69 Z28/350 frame mounts (3945507/8) and the tall & narrow Energy Suspension motor mounts (3.1117G). Along with the Dirty Dingo Sliders, and a BMR adjustable T56 trans crossmember.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by 67Rally

Well, after a few weeks of researching, emailing, PM'ing, three different threads on three different sites...I had narrowed it down between the Dynatech's and the Doug's 3337's. I ruled out the Texas Speed because there just wasn't enough info on them, and I wasn't crazy about the design.

The guys from Dynatech were great with trying to help, but it's the same design as the Texas Speed stuff (still wondering if Texas Speed copied them, or if Dynatech is making their headers).

So I ordered a set of the Doug's 3337's (jwcarguy's pics helped push me to the final decision). My only hesitation was that they look identical to the ebay brand headers that I was looking to get rid of. In fact, when I first got them, I thought they were identical, but there are subtle differences in the tube design (i.e. the guys in China didn't do a perfect job on the knockoff). I installed them this weekend. I ended up moving my engine and transmission about 3/4" back towards the firewall and I'm very happy with the clearance.

ebay Header passenger side:


Doug's 3337 passenger side:


ebay Header driver side:


Doug's 3337 driver side:


Doug's clearance:






Doug's driver side ground clearance:


Doug's passenger side ground clearance:


About 4" of clearance on passenger side, and 4.5" on driver side:

That's great that something came together for you finally 67rally, seems to work real well for you.

obeerwan- that's a good point you made and in the case of an LS swap 1st-gen F-body/3rd-gen Nova like 67rally has the new Hooker engine mounting brackets for that application position the machined front surface of the engine block 1/2" back from the front wall of the primary engine crossmember. That equates to the typical distance between the back of the passenger side cylinder head and the firewall being 1-1/2". Maybe this info will help others starting this swap.

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by fishface

Blake, price is ok with me as long as I dont have to fight it. Any ideas if a tru-turn system causes any problems??

NO IDEA we don't use the truturn so I cant help you there

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by fishface

Blake, price is ok with me as long as I dont have to fight it. Any ideas if a tru-turn system causes any problems??

judging by the pictures shown they should fit fine.