Ok, fellow "motorheads," I need some opinions here. What would be the best option for me to take? I now have "ramhorn" manifolds (2" outlet)on my car.

1)Have my stock '81 (2" outlet) factory headers ceramic coated inside and out. The A.I.R. tubes will be removed and welded shut. -straight bolt in.

2)Or just buy a set of full length ceramic coated headers. -little fabrication involved.

Thanks in advance!
Sarge

For simplicity's sake, I'd stick with the oe manifolds you have. That way you won't have to worry about custom headers making routine maintenance any more difficult by being in the way of everything, plus saving the cost of fabricating a custom exhaust system. Custom headers may give you some increased horsepower, but you have to balance that out against the increased costs and whether it's worthwhile to you.

Depends on whether you want the stock look or to feel all 380 lbs of torque. Headers will let your engine breath better than the manifolds. I would personally buy a new set, install them, and then take it to a local muffler shop to have the exhaust pipes welded up.

if you want more power, go with the headers. If you want originality, go with the manifolds.

85 veiws so far and 3 opinions....hrmm.
Well, thanks for the replies Gunslinger,sstanford,blackbigblock.
I just scored a good deal on some ceramic coated headers on ebay. So it looks like I will be busy as soon as they arrive. I want more power I decided.
Sarge

Sarge,
I put full length Hooker headers on my car and have been very pleased. It made a noticeable difference. My motor is not stock and needed to breath better. I am now trying to decide whether to go side exhaust or 2 1/2" out the back.

Headers all the way! The one who dies with the most power wins! Right? Or is that toys? Well anyway, I like the headers deal you made.

Mark

I would not put headers on it unless you are really making some power. I have a friend that runs a Corvette repair shop and he tells me that he sees a disapportionate number of steering box repairs on cars with headers. If it were me (and I have these myself) I would buy some C4 TPI headers/manifolds. They have a 2.5" outlet and virtually the same configuration as stock C3. Of course they do no good without 2.5" pipe through the rest of the exhaust.

Is the rest of your exhaust stock? If so, start there first. Get some higher flow mufflers, get rid of the cat if you can (emissions) or get a high flow cat. Switch to true dual exhaust. Then, add headers. Headers will help your engine breath, but not if they're plugged by stock exhaust. As for the manifolds v. headers: definitely headers. I don't think you'll see enough improvement by just ceramic coating your manifolds. For the amount of work, just get the headers. Just my .02

Thanks for the input guy's!
My exhaust is 2.5" true dual stainless, no cats, "Monza" mufflers by Pacesetter. So it's pretty free flowing now. The manual that came with crate engine does recommend use of full length headers for optimum power. I might as well squeeze out that little extra power.
As far as heat wrecking the gearbox,(as mentioned earlier) I think that I will fabricate a heat sheild for that.
Thanks Again!
Sarge