I am going to redo my whole exhaust on my skylark to convert to true dual and I was wondering what kind of difference the headers would make. the car is pure stock aside from edlebrock carb, although I plan on a new intake at the same time as exhaust. I plan on keeping the car all street and in the far future maybe some strip racing.
The headers can add up to 20 or 30 HP and a bit of torque however with a stock cam, and without re-jetting the carb you would likely not see much gains. The sound would get much deeper and rumble more if you want that i know I do! The headers are a hassle though sometimes due to gasket leaks or bolts backing out. For a daily driver without the other parts to take advantage of the headers I would stick with manifolds and add a good dual 2.5 mandrel bend exhaust. Also if you are going to upgrad the intake later on, keep in mind that a cam swap to something like a TA 212 will give you more performance gain for about the same cost. The iron intake is very good, however the alum intake saves weight.
well, I was going to go with the ta performance intake. and when I meant all street i mean I want to kick peoples ass from one light to the next, so a cam upgrade is in call too. I just wasnt sure how to swap a cam and the whole timing issue and what not with a cam swap
Do the cam, headers, and intake swap at the same time or at least the intake and cam at the same time since the intake needs to come off anyway top change cam. Replace the timing chain with the cam, as well as check clearances with your oil pump since you will be messing with the front cover. For timing, read the power timing thread in the FAQ section. Shoot for about 34 total timing.
Do you just push the cam in after taking the old one out? Do you have to take all the lifters out? What do you mean on the clearances? And I have a double roller timing chain from a 455, I don't suppose that will fit will it?
You will have to remove the dist, front cover, intake, and lifters then swap in the new cam and timing set if you want then re-assemble in reverse order. No the 455 parts will not fit. Lookup "oil pump clearance" onthe search function top right and some threads will pop up explaining what I mean. TA sells a oil pump rebuild kit, and booster plate is optional, as well as a adjustable pressure regulator which I like to use.
Well, I don't really see the need to update the oil pump or timing chain, because the engine only has about 1000 miles on it after the last guy rebuilt it. I think I will just do the exhaust from manifolds back, the intake and the camshaft.
i too choose manifold back dual exhaust... will give u more hp as well.. i went with a 2.25 inch piping wich is good for stock manifolds...you dont want too big of a pipe and loose back pressure i know somebody who put 3inch with headers and the whole nine and wasent able to burn rubber anymore...
Yeah, I was thinking of 2.25 or 2.5. I'm running 2.25 on manifolds back on my 455 and I like it, although it has flowmaster 60 series I believe so its a nice sounds for my big electra, but I want it to wipe the gunk off of peoples teeth from 100 feet away because of the loudness. I live in a area with somewhat decent property value and all my neighbors are either old or well to do and i need some excitement.
sounds good i just got the original flowmaster 40's along with the true dual put on 2 weeks ago loving the rumble it makes sounds like a true muscle car :TU: use to sound real wimpy with a tailpipe that was almost a inch and a half wide not sure why the tailpipe was so small and the muffler was blown from a backfire or too in the past before i bought the car
If you want a great sound then go with the headers and 3" duals! The 2.5" is plenty of flow but there is nothing like the rumble of the 3" duals and there will be enough back pressure you will not loose torque down low. Have a look, and listen to marks car before turbos... Stock 350, mild cam, headers, 3" duals: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jI3CtXSPq-A&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jI3CtXSPq-A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Or if you really want to piss of the neighbors go for the twin turbos and 3" duals: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgEdT2jdkd8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgEdT2jdkd8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> http://www.youtube.com/user/Flapding
well, seeing as how i can't do a burnout anyway with the stock motor and factory posi rear end(not fun with stock engine btw, although did well in the snow on my way to school yesterday) i suppose 3" wouldn't hurt. my teacher would give me crap for it and say that i didnt need 3" but oh well, he has enough fun picking on the kid with the nova. just calls my electra a boat and my skylark a pumpkin(orange with black vinyl top)
Leasbre350, what area of Seattle are you in? And do you have any experience with installing cams lol. It would be nice for someone near me to be able to help. my friend lives up in ferndale and he knows how to do it, but he isnt going to take a weekend off to come down here until he gets his tax return, although I may have to wait until then to do the cam anyways. ARGH I wish I had more money.
Your stock 350 can do a burnout you just need to adjust your timing and tune it up! letting it breath through good exhaust helps as well. Stay tuned for some track testing using open headers vs full 3" duals on a stock 350 with mild cam. I bet there will be no difference between the times, the 350 likes to breath. Even chassis dynos show a few HP gain running open headers vs full exhaust so i do not think you will leave anything on the table.
So do they have headers that end in a 3" flange or do I need some sort of conversion pipe, or should I run 2.5 from headers to mufflers and then 3" tail pipes?
i live in south seattle i am a rookie to all this engine stuff i've never took a cam off i stick to the basics replacements of starters alternators belts hoses radiator the simple stuff maybe you can help me me with my car though :TU:
Im in the same boat here as well! I actually have the 2bbl intake off now as we speak. My intake seal was leaking oil badly so i have to replace the valley pan. I have a cleaned up 4bbl intake waiting, as well as the TA212 cam, chrome 3" headers, timing chain and gaskets. HOWEVER, i have to put it back together by monday and my dad says i should save the cam change til i have more time, since me and him are both newbies to all this as well. So ill prob just have to put on the 4bbl intake and carb for now and just let my cam and lifters sit around. I had a hard enough getting that intake off, i know i would mess something up doing a cam swap and takin all those other components off. I already have the 2.25 duals w/ cherry bombs! :laugh: but i want to put those headers on too
I would save everything for another day. In my experiences when I try to get as many things done while I can it always takes longer.
Yeah for sure. I don't know a whole lot, but I am going to school to be a mechanic so I will be learning more every day.
