I’m dropping a Vortec 350 into my car and am trying to choose new headers to replace the stock ones but since Holley and all their associated brands have discontinued theirs, does anyone know any good long tubes that bolt up relatively easily on our cars? Sorry if this is a question that’s already been answered but I couldn’t find anything on the forum. I’m hoping for 1 3/4 or 1 5/8 and even length and maybe even stainless if possible if that makes a difference.

 

Look at longtube headers for 81and earlier camaros. You can go on any of the websites and search for longtubes for a 1981 camaro with a 350 and they are available for purchase. Just make sure you order from a place with a good return policy as they are not guaranteed to fit, however, I bet you could probably make them work with a couple precisely placed dents.

 

I've had the Hedman 68460 on my car for twenty plus years. It looks to be that Summit still has inventory (website says 10 in stock).

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-68460

FWIW, I'm more of a 3-bolt flange header kind of guy and I cut-off the ball flanges that the headers come with and fabbed a 3-bolt flange. Then the requisite y-pipe that's part of any header build for these cars. (That is until the EPA crushed the Holley/Hooker offerings).. That said, the ball flange has suited many applications over the years and they can be easily used as is.
Fitment was good. Had to remove the oil filter and starter for ease of access but other than that, no problems.
Remember though that not all chassis and engine installations are created equally. An 1/8" clearance on one car could easily mean interference on another. So it's buyer beware and be prepared.

 

another stupid question incoming. But honestly I’m a major newbie when it comes to exhaust stuff. Is all I need a new y pipe or will have to redo my whole exhaust? Also how do I choose the correct y pipe?

 

With anything other than a short style header, a custom y-pipe will be required. At least now it is. The only complete bolt-in option I'd come across was the BlackHeart/RacingHeart header deal from Holley but as noted above, they've been pulled from the shelves. They were combined with the full dual exhaust also offered and looks to be still available.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h...xhaust-systems

So, now back to square one.
My approach was to use the Hedman header posted earlier and Edelbrocks 3" cat-back single exhaust. The idea with that kit was that it's supposed to connect to the catalytic converter in the stock location. Doesn't look like the Edelbrock is still out there but there are a half dozen other options that do the same thing.
Then it's up to you to connect your headers to the cat-back arrangement with something like this:



That y-pipe above is 2-1/2" stainless and the merge is a Magnaflow 2x 2-1/2" into a single 3".
A better look below. These were first built for an 86 IROC and later transferred (with all of the road rash) to an 86 Sport Coupe.



Then the cat-back intermediate pipe was modified by cutting off the catalytic flange. You can see the extension of the 3" pipe where it connects to the merge. For ease of installation and removal (about ten times to date) a 3-bolt flange was fitted to the 2 into 1 merge. The whole thing bolts in with 9 fasteners.




In your case, if you want to keep the current exhaust then you'll have to build that y-pipe and connect it to your headers of choice.