[QUOTE=Autom8r]I bought the 2-1/2" 1974 L-82 pipes from Ecklers. They have a 2" flange that bolts up to your Ramshorn manifolds for about a foot then expands to 2-1/2".

If you decide to go with full length headers, have your pipes installed at a custom muffler shop that is willing to install bare pipes with no cats. The Hooker full length headers aim straight through your crossmember. It is a matter of a straight pipe from the headers back to the rear axle, then 2 90 degree 2-1/2" elbows (available at AutoZone or Advance) to get over your axle. Pretty simple DIY job if you can't find a shop to install the pipes without cats. It is illegal in Nashville and I'll bet it is even more so in regulated NJ.

Dave[/QUOTE]

it shouldnt be illegal in NJ if i have historic registration- the car will never really be inspected. but try to get the muffler shops to do it is another thing. for the time being, i think ill stay with the stock manifolds and if i do some engine work later, then ill modify what i have to fit to them.

The cat removal will really wake that L-48 up with about 10+ extra horses. It sure did on my '76 years ago. It was noticeable....

The 1974 (last year B4 cats) 2-1/2" L-82 exhaust pipe kit is Ecklers P/NA3688A for automatic trans., runs $220.00 plus a couple of mufflers, 2-1/2" Walker DynoMax from Advance Auto will easily adapt.

Dave

You can get a complete system from Allen Stainless.  They have regular as well as stainless.  They custom bend the pipes to fit specfic cars.  Then made my 2 1.2 in true dual to fit my 75 automtic.  They have the spec to make a custom "Factory fit" for cars that never had that type of system.  Mine fit very well.

In NJ, you can also get away with a collector car registration. No testing involved outside of making sure the odometer turns (they limit you to 2500 miles/ year)

stevep316 i have a good set of headers i pulled off my 78 just before PF and replaced them with new flowmasterceramic coated headers.

the old headers are in good shape and have plenty of run time left on them the are nothing fancy but good corvette headers. if you want them i can ship them to you for the ups charge    but i think you would be better off doing a new set to begin with

Rams horns are fine for normal use, however the more gas you can extract from combustion chambers with good flow from the exhaust manifold, the more you can push in through the inlet manifold, hence more power.  We call "headers" "extractors" in Oz for a perfectly good reason.  They help extract the gasses from the combustion chamber.  Just from the way rams horns are cast, makes them have different length tubes for each cylinder.  Headers "should" have identical length pipes for each cylinder to be tuned correctly.  This should ensure you get the same amount of gas moving for each cylinder.  The gas moving through the exhaust then becomes a mutual thing rather than fighting itself as it would with untuned pipes.  Small pipes to larger pipes to the outlet also helps as the gasses expand.

Maybe the master can give us a better explaination?  But that's how I understand it.

Hey anni.....

What do those ceramic coated headers do to your underhood temps????

I was real concerned about that and wrapped mine and they are butt-ugly, but the temp is down.... You may have noticed my hood wasn't open at PF.....

Dave

[QUOTE=annicorvette]

stevep316 i have a good set of headers i pulled off my 78 just before PF and replaced them with new flowmasterceramic coated headers.

the old headers are in good shape and have plenty of run time left on them the are nothing fancy but good corvette headers. if you want them i can ship them to you for the ups charge    but i think you would be better off doing a new set to begin with

[/QUOTE]
that would be awesome! could you send me a digital pic to see what the y look like? i might find them useful.

atom8r

 i didn't notice a change in temp- but before PF i changed the intake, the carb, complete new flowmaster exhaust, keisler 5 speed tranny with clutch-pressure plate-throwout -even new dust covers as well as installed 160 degree thermostate (was more worried about the temp being too low) my car has duel snorkles the snorkle that fastens over the top of the radiator makes it run a lot cooler)guess it keeps the air flowing low around the engine to disapate heat

part 2

stevep316

tomarrow i have to take the wife to the hospita for some test

i have a jeep in the shop with a warped head job to repair and a chevy blazer needing a radiator replacement and am trying to get the vette ready for the homecoming at bowling green in a few weeks the headers are hanging on the wall if i remember the camera friday i will take pictures and post here.

Steve,

Where did you find the snorkles? Are they the factory L-82 tubes??? Mine were missing when I bought the car.

Dave