Home made Headers for OBS Swap

[Kros383SS]

I believe I am going to attempt to build a set of custom headers for my swap....
My only concern is what kit do I need to buy for this. Also what size tubing to use and do I try to keep each tube the same length.

I can stick weld damn good and im fairly good at mig welding so I shouldnt c why it would be hard to do.

Just dont tell me im crazy....

[Chevy-Art]

You should be able to do it, it will probably take a lot of time and trial and error. RedHeartbeat built a set, I'm sure he will help you out. Or give you ideas.

[Silverado889]

I would buy any header kit that is plain mild steel if you plan on mig welding and then have them ceramic coated. Tig is really the way to go to get the best weld but if you dont know how or dont have the equipment mig will be fine. stick i would stear far away from, it's just way to crude. I bolt the flanges to a junk head or flat plate during the finish welding to eliminate any distortion.

[RedHeartbeat]

i bought painted Hooker headers for a 454SS from Summitracing.com and a set of GM header flanges from crateenginedepot.com. I then bolted the flanges to the engine and started cutting the headers to fit. After they were finished I had them ceramic coated on the outside only. I used a MIG machine to weld mine.

[outlaw_king]

hey greg i need your headers to make a set...

[ChevyLee]

im going to custom make my hole exhaust from long tubes, to an maybe even an x pipe. maybe ill have something done by this x mas.

[Chevy-Art]

Any progress?

i bought painted Hooker headers for a 454SS from Summitracing.com and a set of GM header flanges from crateenginedepot.com. I then bolted the flanges to the engine and started cutting the headers to fit. After they were finished I had them ceramic coated on the outside only. I used a MIG machine to weld mine.

Did you have to cut and move any of the tubes on the header or were they pretty much in line with the LS1? Did they line up with the LS1 flange pretty easy or did it take some work? I am thinking of getting these to try what you did: Summit SUM-G9011 - Summit Performance Headers - summitracing.com
or these Flowtech 11530FLT - FlowTech Headers - summitracing.com Thanks Art...

[RedHeartbeat]

Yeah, had to cut the hell out of them and move every pipe. The passenger side is the toughest, tightest area. I had four days into building those headers to fit and they fit nice and I have no problems changing plugs and the spark plug wires clear nicely.


Dayum, those are cheap! I bought Hooker headers for my donors.

[Chevy-Art]

Dayum, those are cheap! I bought Hooker headers for my donors.

Cheap as in price or quality? I want to try and do what you did Red, so I figure I may as well get the lowest priced ones.

[RedHeartbeat]

The price of those are rediculously low. I might have used them had I found them that inexpensive. 18 gauge is pretty thin, 16 would be better if you can get it. Larger tube diameter headers usually have thinner, 18 vs. 16 gauge, pipes.