just like the question askes... I was wondering if you absolutly have to weld the y to the headder collector? will the bolts line everything up ok?

by the way i got the hedmen shorties for 305 TBI

 

Not Hedmens but I just installed SLPs and didn't weld anything and they fit in fine.


Ed

 

thats a reliefe...thanx for the reply anyone else?

 

Let's HOPE you don't have to weld the Y-pipe to the collectors...what made you think that?

If you did that, there would be NO give in the exhaust at all. And every movement from the engine would be transferred directly to the entire exhaust.....

And pulling the headers would require cutting and welding again. That would suck.


I have Hedman's with the Hedman Y-pipe...bolted not welded.



HTH

 

it just looked like there would be enough give at where they connect to cause an exaust leak.. i'm just about ready to put them in

 

I'll put it another way: I've never heard of anyone welding the y-pipe to the header collectors.

 

I always thought that the shorties would be able to bolt to the factory system, but if it's going to be a problem, I would recommend getting the Hedman Y pipe to go with it, since it's a matched system, you shouldn't have any problems.

While I'm here I'll ask this question to anyone who may know... can cutouts be added to shorties without a major amount of extra work, or would it be better to run full tube headers? I'm going to be installing a set in the very near future.

 

I don't know of any shorties that bolt to the factory y-pipe. Each manufacturer uses their own routing and connecting system to boot, so you either have to use the y-pipe they make for their headers, or have one custom fabricated.

Easiest way to attach a cut-out is on the y-pipe just before the cat. Put it in where the pipe curves toward the back, and it'll point right out under the car. Easier to uncork, too.

 

I wasn't too sure about the shorties, but thanks for the clarity on that one. As far as attaching a cutout, I had planned on adding two of them, one off of each header. Think that's a bad idea? Would I see a better gain with two vs. one, or would one of them definitely give me a good enough performance gain? I'm not worried about uncorking them, that's not a problem for me. I only race one day a week, so to take the time to do it, it doesn't bother me a bit.

 

All this Hedman y-pipe fitment probs got me worried...I went out to check mine against my coated hedmans and it's an absolute perfect fit...maybe they let some bad ones get out the door lately .... What bothers me is that it seems darn close to the oil pan!

 

sorry if i didnt clarify that I actually bought the y-pipe from headmen as well. but from what youre all saying ! I should have a nice exact fit with just bolts... this makes billy very happy

thanx for the reply guys... oh and I was nervous about the oil pan too but the stock system also is very close so As long as its not touching i guess its ok

 

First off...

To add cut out's right after each header would be a SUPER Pain in the *ss. You'd have to basically make a custom Y-pipe, and that's assuming you can even FIT the cut out up in there that close to the engine....doubtful.


The headers go into the Y-pipe, which of course joins into one pipe, so just put the cutout there.


As for the Y-pipe / oil pan issue. YES it's close on mine too...but EVERY shorty header system I've seen with a Y-pipe is close the oil pan. I use synthetic oil, so I'm not as worried, but that is a reason to consider long tubes.


HTH

 

I go to the track once or twice a week (talking the '57 here). I used to jack it up, unhook the mufflers from the collectors, and drop it back down. Then, jack it up again when racing was over, hook them up, etc. You are talking about nearly the same process with cut-outs at the exit of the shorties.

It only takes one good rain storm to cause the "racing over" to make you want this uncorking/corking process to be as easy as possible. The Warlocks I have now can be uncorked/corked w/o jacking up the car (also turn the muffler into a torque tube).

Another consideration: Shorties are too short. You really need more tubing than shorties offer for proper pulse tuning. Unless you attach a pipe to the cut-out at the collector, you'll probably lose power.

 

five7kid, I can understand where you are coming from. I'm not too sure what you mean by proper pulse tuning though. My original plan was to put the cutouts a few inches down on the Y pipe. What you are saying is that if they aren't at the collector, I may lose power, correct? I know shorties won't give enough clearance to do that, and I can't fathom what I'm going to have to go through to install long tubes.....