Well, I never completely installed the Hooker SuperComp big block headers because I didn't realize you couldn't get the slip tube in with the motor in place. So I lifted the motor up a little today to try to get it in. Try is the operative word here. I eventually got it on but let me tell you it does NOT fit. The only way I attached the headers to the heads was to bolt them in place with the motor lifted and then drop the motor down. This places a lot of stress on the headers tubes and flange. I'm getting more and more disappointed that there aren't other options for big block headers besides Hooker. How did that slip tube fit for you guys?

 

Actually, I called Lemons Headers a few months ago and they were too busy to deal with me back then but it's about time to call again. They offered to make a set of shortys for me. Anybody interested in order to get the price down?

 

count me in.

 

I sent off an e-mail to Lemons. I'll let you know what they say. If I don't hear from them in a couple days I'll just give them a call.

 

My first attempt at putting in the SuperComps took 9 hours.

Now when I pull and install the engine I just leave the headers in place and drop the engine down around them. Much easier that way.

I did find that with ARP head bolts that the headers wouldn't bolt to the head. In a mock-up on the engine stand I had to grind the flanges to clear the head bolds. You'd never be able to do this while the engine was in the car.

Also with having the engine out a couple of times this year I've been able to cut,notch and hammer the frame and floorpan more for the required clearance.

I'd like to get a tall deck block but there's no way the headers would fit since the block is .400" taller and there's little room with a normal block.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

After clearancing for the headers(all over the place, list is on my page) I just layed the headers in place and dropped the motor in, no problems. After it was in place and the headers bolted on, I was able to pull the slip fit piece out and put on some high temp copper gasket sealer and slide it back in. It was tight, but I did clearance the frame rail before putting the motor in.

Shortys? No thanks, I've got $1,000+ into these headers (HSC with HPC coating), mufflers (two 3 chamber flowmaster) and exhaust (2 1/2 before mufflers, single 3" after mufflers, pass side exit).

Miles

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88 427 Camaro
12.18 @ 113mph 1.75 60ft
Currently installing 3.73's into my 9 bolt (YES,it is a 9 bolt & YES they are 3.73's, not 3.70. 4.11's to follow soon )
www.koolmeister.com

 

I would be interested in the shorty's if they'll fit better than you guys describe the Hookers!

 

I'm also doing the BBC swap in a couple of months and am intrested in what my possibilities are... The more I hear these stories the more I'm thinking about making it strip only and cut it up...

 

I called Lemons Headers today. They will try to get the car in their shop this weekend or next weekend. They have a prototype tri-y header they believe will fit. I'll get everyone an update in two weeks.

 

I don't know what kinda engine combos you guys have, but i just used truck manifolds. Opened them up with a grinder, and dropped the motor in with them on. Only clearence issue was a little pounding was neccesary by the pass studs on the firewall. Works great. yes it probably cost me some power but $50 compared to 600-700 PLUS a custom exhaust, the price speaks for itself. As for that P/S pump ques in that other post, I run an S10 manual box like the other guys. great roadfell and not really that stiff at a standstill. I did mock the pump up, it will fit, but it's kinda tight. you'd have to make brackets and run an extremely short belt.

As a side note, my "death Knock" turns out to be a crunched torque convertor. Bye Bye 700....say hello to a new th350 with a highstall.....time to improve those 60 foots! :P

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85 Berlinetta Iroc exterior NOW 454 powered, 4.10 gears, 275/60/15 Hoosier Quicktimes and a PILE of other goodies..........YES, it's street driven!

check it out at http://www.bsronline.net/members/rob/rob_specs.html

 

Well even though it seems you are going small block Qwktrip....are you gonna keep us updated on what you hear?
Do you have to phone number for Lemon?
will they know what I'm talking about if I tell them a BBC in an '84 camaro?

 

I'm still following this through. Until my motor sells I will continue to finish the car as planned. Frankly, it's not likely it will sell so I'll probably end up with the supercharged big block anyway. Life is tough, huh?

If you want to contact Lemons for yourself you can get info at www.lemonsheaders.com . I am expecting some type of feedback from them in a week or so. I'll keep you posted.

 

I'm going to call Lemons on Monday. Hopefully they will have trial fitted the headers. For some reason my intuition says they will have not done it yet. I'll update everyone after my call.

 

Get some dimensions on the headers. Primary tube and collector sizes.

A 540 engine would be nice to drop in to my car but the tiny 1 7/8" Hookers would be way to small.

------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

The headers have not been fit in the car yet but it is something on the schedule for this week. I guess we'll sit tight for another week.

Stephen... sorry, I read your message after I called them. I'll get the info for you next time I talk to them. From what I remember they were at least 2" primaries with a Tri-Y design meaning they aren't as long as full length but they are longer then shorties. The collectors are 3".

[This message has been edited by QwkTrip (edited July 30, 2001).]

 

UPDATE:

Lemons called me today and said they trial fitted the headers. These headers are early Chevelle Tri-Y style. The driver side fit like it was always meant to be. The passenger side did not clear the control arm bracket but they said there is plenty of room to make them fit just as well as the driver side. They will custom fab the passenger side to make an easy fit.

The vital stats for the headers are a Tri-Y design with 2-1/8 inch primaries, 3 inch collectors with a flange, and approximately 26" tube length. They will cost about $750 for a pair. My plan is to use a 3" dual Y-pipe and converge to a 4" single exhaust and run it in the factory location. Both of these parts are sold through Mufflex Performance. FINALLY!!!! AN EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR BIG BLOCKS!!!

The first set of headers will be ready in 1-1/2 weeks and, of course, they are being made for me. Let's get together everyone's wish list and see how many need to be made. I will not be handling the order for everyone but I am offereing to lead off the effort and help organize everything. So..... how many people want a set?

 

2 1/8" primaries. WOW! I'll keep Lemonheaders in mind when I eventually go to a bigger engine. I think a 540 would be the maximum with a short deck block. I'm assuming after the trial fitting that they will be able to easily duplicate or have a set in stock now.

Next time you talk to them ask them if they think they would still fit well if it was on a tall deck block. The extra .400" height may make a difference. Mmmm. A 572, 615 or 632 engine sure would be nice. Just think about having 600HP with pump gas

I'm sure there are a lot of other big inch third gen race cars out there that would love some bigger headers. That extra 1/2" over the Hookers should be good for at "least" another 50HP for a race engine.

Take pics. I want to see how they fit and where the collector ends up. I'n not worried about Y-pipes but I'd like to see how much room is available for some bullet mufflers off the collectors.

Actually $750 for a set of headers that big is very resonably priced. And of course you need to get them coated before they're installed. Add that cost on also.

 

I'm sold!

 

Count me in on a set of headers. Please give contact info at lemmons. Phone number would be great..

Justin

 

Lemons web site is http://www.lemonsheaders.com and has all the contact information you need. I have been working with Dan who is the shop owner. Let them know you are following up on the custom header being made for Jon's big block '89 Firebird. He'll know exactly what you are talking about.

[This message has been edited by QwkTrip (edited August 06, 2001).]

 

Here's another set you can consider.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...050031&r=0&t=0