i've got an 83 5-speed z-28 and i'm gonna put a set of long tube headman headers on it and i was told that i'll have to jack up the motor to get them in is this true or can they be installed without taking everything loose and jacking up the motor and is their anu other problems i might run into during this installation. any help will be appreciated.

 

You need a new exhaust.

You need header bolts

You'll need new plug wires

Im pretty sure I can get mine in without jacking on the motor. At worst you'll need to lower the trans a little but I usually dont need to. You can get them in without moving any of the engine.

Get 5/16's 12 point header bolts at all costs. It will make a HUGE difference in how easy it is to get to them.

 

have them on my 86 with the 700 r4. didnt have to jack the motor up but you definitely want to take your plugs out and get as many wires out of the way as possible. Also had to drop the starter on mine to get it up in there. PS. after you get the headers in place put your plugs in an tighten them up BEFORE you bolt the headers on

 

ok thanks for the advice and yes i was aware that i would have to get a new exhaust system

 

Plugs are a pain... but check it out:





It took me 30-45 minutes to do plugs before, some had to be done under the car. Now it takes me 5 minutes for all 8.

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-piec...set-67974.html

It's relatively bulky, so not super useful for most other car jobs, but the time it saved me on ONE plug change is more than worth it. Not a single busted knuckle.

 

MASSIVE WANT! Thank you SO MUCH for pointing that out!

 

It's also of note that you may want to look into getting a set of header length plug wires. Factory wires might clear these, but they might not, and they definitely run more risk of heat damage. I picked up a set of LiveWires for $100 from summit, 10mm core, fiberglass wrapped, and long enough to run under the headers. Plus, they're numbered from the factory for ease of installation.

 

in all my years of playing with cars, i've never seen any benefit from buying expensive plug wires in a street application... if you like throwing money away or you just gotta be able to brag about your sweet plug wires then by all means buy whatever wires you want.. when i put my car together this spring with the Hedman Hedders (that's how they spell it there...) long tubes, i just picked up a set of cheap ($17) Wells plug wires for a 77 Chevy truck with a 350 and made some looms out of zip ties that hold the wires neatly in place over the top of the valve covers and make it really easy to hook them back up on the proper plugs on the rare occasions when i need to remove them for whatever reason.

regarding the install of the Hedman Hedders (again, their spelling not mine..)- i just slid them in from the bottom, but i had to dent one tube on each side for clearance.. i can't remember if i had the starter installed, but i think i did the starter after the Hedders.

 

Not sure what to tell you there, my wires wouldn't clear at all with the HEI distributor even with stock manifolds on. Not to mention, I've been burned by cheap plug wires in the past. Last time I spent less than $5/wire they were arcing right through the insulation within 10k miles.

That being said, to each their own, and if that never happens to you, I congratulate you on your good luck.

 

The shorter spark plugs are also nice.

 

I installed these about a five months ago, I had to dent each one a little, remove the starter, and jack up the engine to get them to fit right. As far as sparkplugs and wires go I didnt have much of a problem. Good luck!

 

keep the wires away from heat and anything that can rub thru them and they will last a good long time. and you won't be able to use a set of stock replacement plug wires with headers- if you get them for a stock application, tell the parts guy that you need them for a late 70's Chevy/GMC truck with a 350.. one of the wires is a little longer than necessary, but it's livable..

 

This was on top of my plastic valve cover having Saturn with a built in loom, arcing between wires. It's not the first time I've experienced cheap insulation on plug wires. As I said, I've been burned, I'm gonna keep away from the fire that got me. If you've been fortunate thus far, by all means, continue what you're doing.

 

the Wells wires i buy are made out of the same Packard Electric wire that is used in most name brand spark plug wires- it says "Packard Electric made in the USA" right on the sleeve of each wire- i know AC Delco uses the same wire, but charges a premium for the privilege of buying it in a blue and white box with an AC Delco part number on it.

i'm sure they also make the wires that all the aftermarket companies sell- MSD, Accel, etc- because that's just how the world works these days.

 

thats right, I forgot a couple of things. As mentioned, you'll need to dent one of the primaries to clear the steering box, and another will hit part of the a-arm perch. Just trim it off.

My car:

 

My homemade Sparkplug wrench.

 

[QUOTE=InfernalVortex;5358687]thats right, I forgot a couple of things. As mentioned, you'll need to dent one of the primaries to clear the steering box, and another will hit part of the a-arm perch. Just trim it off.

mine fit without denting or modifying anything on headers or the car. According to one of the reps at headmen the only reason for them to need dented is if your motor mounts are worn out? dont know if different years have different clearance on them but on the 86 they fit without a problem

 

I reused the stock motor mounts but Ive seen this on multiple cars, even one using new solid mounts. Newer mounts will raise the engine anyway which will give you more clearance at the steering box, maybe enough to not have to worry about it, but it will give you less clearance at the A-arm perch. So you'd stil need to trim it.

There's always variances, though. But I fixed my last post to show the picture. If you say you didnt need to trim things a little there Id be surprised, but at least you can see Im not just making things up.