Has anyone used the speedway motors header kit in a sedan? I've been looking at headers for a while whilst most seem to be targeted at t-birds or pickups there seems to be very little for cars.

I have heard that Ted is about to do testing on some headers as part of his ongoing dyno part evaluation. I understand from the alloy head testing that the non fenderwell Reds headers cause a restriction.

What else is available?

I'm looking at freeing the breathing up a bit I have original 56 single exhaust manifolds running duals off these with pipes coming of where the crossover usually bolts on.  I have 57 cast iron exhaust manifolds but using these will require a exhaust change. If I can use some decent headers this will assist in later engine changes and get some breathing happening for now.  

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Grizzly ,

I used a set of Reds headers a couple of years ago in a 57 Mainline ute . It had a stock clutch linkage . I had a Toploader bolted behind the 272. Everything fitted , but it sure was very tight .From memory I bought the headers from John's Rod & Custom in Melbourne ???. Check with "Cusso Bill " ,he may sell them as well ??Have you concided making your own ??? Castle Auto Electrics sells the header plates.Or have them laser cut from a exhaust gasket .

Lon

PS . To all our overseas friends , this also has a steering box on the starter side as well .( Right Hand Drive ???)

yblocksdownunder

Thanks Lon,

I had looked at the Reds headers was even talking to them regarding fitment. I had weeks of sending photos and measurements. I think they just would not commit to claiming correct fitment with freight then be resposible. Which Reds headers were they. Were they the "Dual tube" ones?

I've seen comment on the forum about the speedway ones they are a kit that you can weld up. These use a SBC kit and include a flange for y block. I had thought that if these fit US sedans and because I get to weld them up I could correct any clearance problems associated with right hand drive. The kit has long equal lenght tubes that run towards the front of the block.

There isn't a lot of room on the right and probably not the market for a company to manufacture for the Right hand drive market. Going automatic with a floor shift could assist with this later.

Thanks

   

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Hi Grizzly, I have a set of single outlet headers of similar design to Reds Headers fitted to my Mainline. My car is a manual with the toploader three speed fitted with column shift. Yep it is bit tight and the flange for the right hand exhaust has to be rotated 90 degrees to clear all the rods and linkages going down that side. The headers I have are the set which are a bolt on replacement for factory cast iron exhaust manifolds. I replaced a set of fenderwell four into one extractors withe this setup and lost nothing from the vehicle on the road. It would probably be down a bit on flat out performance.

My new system was made from stainless tube.

The pipes crossing over the chassis to allow the exhaust to bolt up as per factory was always a drama with the fenderwell system - grounding on the speed humps people put in everywhere.

I hope this helps.

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Hi Rick,

Thanks for reminding me about the grounding problems with the fenderwell headers. I don't think I could cut the panels to fit a set of extractors either.

I might run with the dual cast iron manifolds that I have until Ted has done his testing. That will be a step forward at least.

Your input has been of assistance.  From the communication that I had with  Red's I think that the thunderbird dual tubes will fit. I'd order them with a longer collector tube (or whatever the last piece of pipe is called) and have the flange sent loose, for the right header, that way it could be cut to lenght and positioned to clear everything.  

Everything in time it's not pressing just yet.

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

Grizzly

The people I know here in the West have cut and rotated the flange on the cast iron manifolds to clear all the linkages going down the right side of the engine. They are an even tighter fit than the tube headers which replace them.

It is much easier to extend the right hand downpipe/flange by several inches to gain a little more room.

Regards

Rick

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!