Make SBC headers from LS headers
#1
Make SBC headers from LS headers
When >/= 1.75" primaries are concerned I have become dismayed at the lack of header choices available to our cars. For 1.75" primaries I am limited to Dyno Don's shorties or Hooker Long tubes. Both are fairly expensive when you consider the versions that use 1.5 or 1 5/8 are not even half the price. I began looking at some other shorty and mid-length header options for the LS and the prices seem more on par. So my thought was, can I just take a pair of LS headers and:
1. chop off the cylinder head flange with my bandsaw
2. weld the front and back primaries back on the flange
3. Cut the middle primaries back a little and just weld in new pipe to connect to the middle ports?
I've never held an LS header for a thirdgen so I'm not sure how easily achieved this may be. I have a TIG and MIG so welding them myself isn't an issue.
1. chop off the cylinder head flange with my bandsaw
2. weld the front and back primaries back on the flange
3. Cut the middle primaries back a little and just weld in new pipe to connect to the middle ports?
I've never held an LS header for a thirdgen so I'm not sure how easily achieved this may be. I have a TIG and MIG so welding them myself isn't an issue.
#3
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
Can you recommend any "kits?" I looked at some but by the time I bought the kit and the flange I was almost back at what a 1-3/4" LS header costs. The header making threads on here are kinda limited. This was the best one I found: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...ml#post5208120 The drivers side looks good.
#4
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
There are plenty of kits out there but one web site always comes to mind.
www.headersbyed.com
You could also by flanges and a bunch of mandrel bent tubes and build something from scratch.
www.headersbyed.com
You could also by flanges and a bunch of mandrel bent tubes and build something from scratch.
#5
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
When >/= 1.75" primaries are concerned I have become dismayed at the lack of header choices available to our cars. For 1.75" primaries I am limited to Dyno Don's shorties or Hooker Long tubes. Both are fairly expensive when you consider the versions that use 1.5 or 1 5/8 are not even half the price. I began looking at some other shorty and mid-length header options for the LS and the prices seem more on par. So my thought was, can I just take a pair of LS headers and:
1. chop off the cylinder head flange with my bandsaw
2. weld the front and back primaries back on the flange
3. Cut the middle primaries back a little and just weld in new pipe to connect to the middle ports?
I've never held an LS header for a thirdgen so I'm not sure how easily achieved this may be. I have a TIG and MIG so welding them myself isn't an issue.
1. chop off the cylinder head flange with my bandsaw
2. weld the front and back primaries back on the flange
3. Cut the middle primaries back a little and just weld in new pipe to connect to the middle ports?
I've never held an LS header for a thirdgen so I'm not sure how easily achieved this may be. I have a TIG and MIG so welding them myself isn't an issue.
The big thing is figuring out how much the flange position is different between the 2 engines. What I did was cut the headers at the flanges, mounted the new flanges on the engine, dropped the headers in and trimmed till 2 of the tubes lined up like I wanted them with the header in a usable position, then I mostly bent/pie cut the others to line up correctly and re-welded.
What are you looking for in a header? I know that some 4th gen LT1 headers will bolt onto a SBC and clear in a 3rd gen (bolt in or minor mods), you just need to make pipes to connect up to the exhaust, and some are 1-3/4" stainless shorties.
#6
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I want a mid-length or shorty header for ground clearance and also starter, clutch solenoid and oil filter clearance. For less than $600 shipped. I have the knowledge and equipment so I may look into the LT1 offerings or just make my own. I found some flanges that look good, 3/8" laser cut flange with 1-3/4" 16 gauge stubs welded on. I wouldn't have to worry about warping the flange if I start with those.
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#9
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
You get what you pay for. My Ed Quay BBC headers are worth $1000 - $1500.
#10
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
What a set of headers or pre bent exhaust is worth is subjective. How much free time do you have? Can you weld the metal you want to use? How much disposable income do you have? Can you modify an existing header/exhaust or is it totally from scratch? I've already answered all these questions in my head and decided that $300 is the most I'll pay for a set of headers. Not because I'm cheap or poor but because I have the material, welding equipment, and access to a tubing bender so I can add on, modify or Cannibalize an existing set of headers into what I need.
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
thats what they cost new without shipping and add 270 for the dual cat y pipe your looking at over $800
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I want a mid-length or shorty header for ground clearance and also starter, clutch solenoid and oil filter clearance. For less than $600 shipped. I have the knowledge and equipment so I may look into the LT1 offerings or just make my own. I found some flanges that look good, 3/8" laser cut flange with 1-3/4" 16 gauge stubs welded on. I wouldn't have to worry about warping the flange if I start with those.
-- Joe
#13
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
Like my prior post discussed, I've answered the questions about what I'll pay for headers and $500, let alone $800 or $1000 is far above it. But even if I was OK with spending that much on shorty headers, there is one local welding fab shop and another custom motorcycle shop that would take the job AND make them out of stainless for $500.
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I looked into making my own headers in stainless, and for the price of the materials alone was almost what a lot of the places that sell them for already made, in the U.S.A., So I am thinking this place you're referring to has to be using slave labor, and chinese stainless to even begin to be able to brake even on their cost at only $500 for something custom made, in stainless. In mild steel, yeah, they could be making money on them at $500 for custom made headers
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I looked into making my own headers in stainless, and for the price of the materials alone was almost what a lot of the places that sell them for already made, in the U.S.A., So I am thinking this place you're referring to has to be using slave labor, and chinese stainless to even begin to be able to brake even on their cost at only $500 for something custom made, in stainless. In mild steel, yeah, they could be making money on them at $500 for custom made headers
I have some Chinese stainless (1 3/4" long tube) headers that have fantastic tig welds, don't leak, don't rust, etc.
-- Joe
#17
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I looked into making my own headers in stainless, and for the price of the materials alone was almost what a lot of the places that sell them for already made, in the U.S.A., So I am thinking this place you're referring to has to be using slave labor, and chinese stainless to even begin to be able to brake even on their cost at only $500 for something custom made, in stainless. In mild steel, yeah, they could be making money on them at $500 for custom made headers
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
WOW. Tibo actually wants to fabricate, and he gets bashed.
Look at his signature - "A build thread where I do more than bolt on parts:".
Real car crafting was about doing exactly that.
Now it seems that it's only about bolt-ons.
Don't get me wrong, bolt-ons are convenient.
But what happens when they don't fit as promised?
Tibo knows what to do.
Look at his signature - "A build thread where I do more than bolt on parts:".
Real car crafting was about doing exactly that.
Now it seems that it's only about bolt-ons.
Don't get me wrong, bolt-ons are convenient.
But what happens when they don't fit as promised?
Tibo knows what to do.
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
1.75" 304 stainless in 18 gauge I as Joe schmo can get for $10-12 per foot. I imagine they could get it cheaper. Long tubes could see $200-300 in material but shorties would not be over $200. They both have tubing benders or could do pie cuts or spend more on pre bent tube. If I gave them a header to copy it would go even faster. Remember that labor rate will be far more in California and the other liberal run high cost of living meccas.
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-St...JWuhfE&vxp=mtr
They are a knockoff of a hooker or something, I can't remember. But they used 1 3/4" tubing.
-- Joe
#24
Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I can't tell if those would fit in our engine bay or not regarding the firewall. Also looks like they have the same problem with the furthest forward primary would hit my spark plugs. Have to cut and reweld them like I'm currently doing with the long tubes.
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I don't know about plug access. Those older AFR heads suck with most headers.
The newer afters have a similar issue on #6 with some headers.
-- Joe
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Re: Make SBC headers from LS headers
I had a employee put a ls1 in his 84 z and he bought a cheap build a header kit and knocked it out in about 7 hours. It was his first time he only had a few months experience doing exhaust for me. He only used a mig welder. He messed up one pipe but it was really only cosmetic. Take a swing at it you'll probably get better ground clearance than the hookers.