I did some searching for this over the past few days and didn't really find what I was looking for. My question is, can these be used with a tubular LS1 swap k member? I did some searching and the common answer was that they wouldn't work because of the drivers side angling towards the frame rail. Is there a clearance issue involved here? Because I have been under both a 3rd and 4th gen and I think they might be similar enough for this to work. Thoughts?

 

I dont think they will or more people would do it and there wouldn't be the hawks 3rd gen specific headers. If you look at the frame rails in the 3rd and 4th the rear are the same but the front are totaly differant. Shortys would but then just use the manifolds.

 

No they wont work. UNLESS...you cut them up and modify them. Pretty much negating the purpose for trying to use them.

The issue is the 3rd gen headers have to go straight back to stay between the chassis rails. 4th gens have a different angle to them, allowing the headers to flare out towards the sides.

I had a set of Grotohaym 1-7/8" headers from my donor car that I tried to fit up to my stock k-member. They actually seemed like they would fit. Would have had to tweak them a hair here and there. But they wouldnt fit the car in any way whatsoever.

In the LSx swap world, you are limited to stock manifolds, Hawks/stainless works conversion LTs, or some variant of a modified set or completely custom built. Im not even sure if a set of shorty headers exist that will work...but the stock 02 f-body mainfolds flow well enough that it might not even be worth it.

Someone needs to step up and bring some competition to the swap market. And I cant believe it hasnt happened yet. With the number of 3rd gen guys dropping ls motors in steadily increasing, I thought someone else would have started selling a set by now. Maybe in a regular steel/coated configuration. It would undoubtedly drive the cost of the stainless works ones down alittle in the process, and give more options. Not that ide give my stainless ones up tho...

J.

 

Hedman is starting to make a shorty header for LSx thirdgen conversions so add that to the list above.. These things are listed in the paceparts catalog as "new" HD68200 black and HD68206 coated with "call" in the price block. I am guessing pretty darn new since summit, jegs, or even hedman themselves don't have them up on their sites yet..

 

ive tried a set of ls1 hookers and they hit the frame of the car.
if you really look under them, the 3rd and 4th gen are nothing alike in that area.

 

It had been a long time since being under a 3rd gen so I didn't remember the angles being different. I was hoping that there was a different option to using the stupid expensive hawks headers that then require a y pipe to be made..

 

Well, I'm trying for a different option. I'm hoping that I can get the 1st set of pics up later today...

 

dallas(ramairz ?) on this board use to modify hooker long tubes with ls1 flanges, so that is an option as well.

 

what I would like to see is a side by side of the moddifed to ls1 hooker longtubes (3rdgen ones) vs the hawks stainless works. that would be the info on what is they way to go

 

they are absolutely no where near the same.
the hookers are a pain to install, fit good, but have crappy ground clearance.
the stainless works slide in blindfolded, but sit on the frame.
the stainless works header doesnt looked to be a sought out "all out hp/tq piece" where the hookers look like they were made to make some power.
not saying the stainless works doesnt, but they are just one tune after the other to hug the car tight and give plenty of room around the engine, IMO.

 

I thought the stainless works headers were built to flow pretty well. only two bends on mine. First to angle down and back...and the second to bring the collectors back to horizontal.

Some people had issues with them clearing the chassis rails. I had 3/4"+ on both sides of mine for some reason. So it sounds like its a function of the car, and some inconsistancies in the build of the headers.

Ide like to see the modified 3rd gen headers as well. V8 Rumble looks like he's about to get started on his project with them... Gonna be some work but I think he can do it. Should save some big money doing it that way as well.

J.

 

never bottomed my hooker longtubes? went right in and had tons of clearance


the only way to know is to compare the hookers to the stainless works. look at all the talk on how the cast ls1 manifolds flow about the same as ls1 shortys. only way to know is to test.

 

I bought my header from f-body motorsports, now youngs f-body. They are also from stainless works, but slightly different then the Hawks. I guess they both have a couple slightly different bends and they are exclusive for each company. I tried buying direct, but they said they couldn't do it. I love the way mine fit with the huge 3" collector. $1100 later, but well worth it. I tried make 4th gens work. Not even close. I would rather be out the 1G and still have my sanity.