i have the oppurtunity to get a pair of full length headers what are the benifits and drawbacks? opinions? etc. etc.

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87 IROC-z 305 TPI 5spd Borg warner 9-bolt 3.45 posi 4 wheel disc,8.8 Accel wires , bosch platinum +4 plugs,gutted air box,TB coolant bypass ,polyurethane tranny and torque arm mounts, k&n oil filter,synthetic oil 10w30, futura GLS super sport tires 265/50/15 rear and 235/60/15 front mounted on 86 monte carlo SS rims ,

400 sbc and a 6 spd in the works

 

I like full length headers better for performance reasons, they build more torque than shorty headers. The draw back is that they are harder to install and tend to have more problems with rubbing and things like that. I've heard its very hard to install the Hooker full length headers. I have full length Hedmans and they were pretty easy to install but I don't have emissions equipment or AC so that made it much easier. I also know that the hedman full length headers won't fit with a manual trans so if that is what you were planning on getting keep that in mind.

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best 1/4 mile so far: 13.4 @ 101mph

84 Camaro 305 ported & milled heads, 3 angle valve job, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Hedman full length headers, Accell ignition, Crane 274H cam, B&M 700R-4, 3000 stall speed, 4.10 gear,
M/T ET street tires
visit my website at http://www.geocities.com/jbenge/page1.html

 

why wont they fit with a manual trans? it is smaller than an auto.. and i do have ac, but i will be removing all the smog crap when i do the install. will putting full lengths on my 305 tpi hurt low end torque at all?

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87 IROC-z 305 TPI 5spd Borg warner 9-bolt 3.45 posi 4 wheel disc,8.8 Accel wires , bosch platinum +4 plugs,gutted air box,TB coolant bypass ,polyurethane tranny and torque arm mounts, k&n oil filter,synthetic oil 10w30, futura GLS super sport tires 265/50/15 rear and 235/60/15 front mounted on 86 monte carlo SS rims ,

400 sbc and a 6 spd in the works

 

I just installed the Hooker SC/LT headers on my '87 IROC. I did the install while putting the motor back in the car. This made it easier. It's a tight fit on the passenger side near the collector. I need to grind the A-frame suspension just an 1/8 inch or so. Fairly easy to do. Driver side is very good except for the fact that the #7 plug won't go in my AFR heads. That's my worst problem with the install so far. I have a 5 speed. No problem with fitment there. Just need to build a heat shield to protect the rubber boot around the shaft in the clutch slave cylinder.

Last problem will be the rest of the exhaust system. I may go with the Mufflex Y-pipe and catback. This is a 3" Y-pipe to a 4" cat back custom made for 3rd gens. No cat at all.

I expect to get more low end torque out of these headers as well as better flow through my heads with the larger headers, 1-3/4" vs. 1-5/8" TES. I expect the sound to be better too.

I have A/C and no smog devices. A/C will fit and work fine. You do need to modify the A/C bracket on the driver's side on an '87 and cut off a small section.

I'll post more impressions after I start the motor.

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, Hooker SC/LT headers, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), stock T-5, GM 3.42 rear w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, TES, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hyper Chip, gutted MAF & CAT, Jacobs Ign., 53kv coil, MSD wires.

 

thanks phil87iroc, thats exaclty what i wanted to know, sounds like you are almost runnig the same setup as me, except i opted for a 400 instead of a 383... thanks again,

 

Will they clear subframe connectors

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj

 

then isn't it really a y-back???

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-=1987 Formula 350=-

Member Greater Cincinnati F-Body Association

 

ANYBODY???????????????

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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj

 

I just go tdone with my install of hooker SC/LT's. Not easy. you'll need to lengthen all wires going to the starter and get a mini starter. I have a CVT protorque from Jeg's. $139 or $149, i forget. on the driver's side you'll need to change from straight to angled plug boots. i lost about 1.5" or 2" of ground clearance. passenger's side is very tight, you'll have to tighten all bolts in a specific order, just play with it. that is all i had to do. they gave me a big improvement. i would say it was worth it.

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89 RS (supposed 350) TBI auto

 

another LT guy here hookers of coursE
you HAVE to lift engine...they wont fit any other way.
knock sensor has to move to other side, ground clearance is an issue, need a mufflex y pipe 250, 275 if you want a o2 sensor.

its a 4 inch outlet on the Y, so u need the reducer they sell (another 25)

it ends up right behind teh tranny under teh driveshaft (in the middle duh)

need heat wrap for starter wires or lengthen em, bolts have to go in certain order.
driver side goes in from top, passenger from bottom (with last primary removed) (one primary on pass side is removable)
starter has to be unbolted, and wires have to be connected while down (no access while bolted up) you have to START the bolts ont eh headers then shove the starter past the collector and bolt that up....then bolt up header completely.

simple enough right?

it was a pain for me, but had someone told me exactly what to do (above) it would have been much easier

 

ok the headers i am getting are hedman full length headers, has anyone installed those yet? are they easier or harder than the hookers? im guessing u still have to do all the same stuff??? mini starter, heat sheild, etc. etc. thanks for everyones help..

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87 IROC-z 305 TPI 5spd Borg warner 9-bolt 3.45 posi 4 wheel disc,8.8 Accel wires , bosch platinum +4 plugs,gutted air box,TB coolant bypass ,polyurethane tranny and torque arm mounts, k&n oil filter,synthetic oil 10w30, futura GLS super sport tires 265/50/15 rear and 235/60/15 front mounted on 86 monte carlo SS rims ,

400 sbc and a 6 spd in the works

 

I have the Headmans on my 86 TA with the T5. I would not recommend them in a stick car. The slave cylinder mount in the bellhousing makes contact with the driver side collector. I had to grind the crap out of the bell housing and dimple the collector to get it to fit. The install is involved, meaning i had to jack the drivers side of the motor up about 3" to feed the header up from the bottom. I took out my A/C at the same time. I don't think the header will fit with the A/C box on the firewall. I think the Headman instructions state you have to trim the box.

If you get the headers for free, plan to upgrade to auto or know someone that can bend you the duals (another story in itself) its worth it. Otherwise, go with a normal shorty y-pipe combo

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Current
86 TA 305 5 speed, hardtop
81 Z28 350, 4 speed, t-roof
99 Ducati 750 Super Sport

Former
85 Z28
94 TA