I have an '86 Firebird w/ the 2.8L (yeah I know the eyes are rolling). But no one makes headers for the F-body 2.8L so what I am contemplating on doing is buying some headers that are made for the 3.4L. They have the same block degree and the heads and bolts all line up, I've already checked into it. The problem is that I have several clearance problems on my Firebird so it work the way that they are as stock headers. Since I know how to weld (for many years now) and have a good friend that owns a muffler shop I was thinking of going there after hours and have him and I make a custom header job w/ these 3.4L headers.
Here's the plan: Cut off the point of the headers from the point that I am having clearance problems on both sides and then weld stailess steel piping from there on and custom shape it to meet up w/ a Y-Pipe and then run stainless steel piping to the CAT and all the way back to the muffler and tips. Now would this work? Would I be hurting anything on the engine by doing this kind of custom mod and would I notice any type of power gains and etc? Input needed.

- Mike Harvey -

 

Go for it - its only a little cutting and pasting - should be easy having a friend with a shop - there will be a performance gain ompared to factory log manifolds - you should think about a coating while you're at it to keep heat down
good luck

 

Check this link to lots of info about making your own headers:
http://www.headersbyed.com/