headers best to use

on my buick 231 which would be the best exhaust manifolds to get to route exhaust inside the frame? What years and vehicles?

 

OH Boy--- what a question. I say OH Boy because I have wrestled with this over and over. If you have Siginaw Steering the backwards stock-factory Buick V6 manifold gets in the way. If you use one that dumps the exhaust near the firewall, then it too tight to route the pipe to exit through the fender well and go directly outside the frame rails. And again if you modify the Dr side Motor mound to clear the Siginaw Steering nicely--- then it all gets even more restricted for an exhaust.

This is my unorthodox solution---- cut and weld a custom outlet modifying a stock 231 manifold. This is on the Driver's side. I have used 1-1/2 iron pipe to do this many times.

I have recently used 1977 Buick V6 car manifolds for this. I cut off the exit flange-- plugged it---- then cut a hole in the side and welded in a 1- 1/2 iron pipe that is 2 inches long.


Reweld with nickle welding rod. This is terrible I know. But I have had success doing it that way and helping others do it over and over on many Universal Jeeps.

I looked at a Jeep with a Buick V6 that had this done 25 years ago and been driven over 100K and the modified rewelded manifold never cracked or broke!

Its ugly though--

On the Passenger side there is room to route the exhaust up and over the frame in an elaborate 180 degree and a 90 degree turn to exit directly into the fender well space-- or you could cut and reweld that side too.

If you are afraid that the elaborate curves and cast iron welds are weak-- build a bracket that attaches with strap iron to the head manifole bolts to prevent breakage.

This is BAD engineering-- but is practical in many cases-- ugly-- but works.

I have used as small as 1-1/2 dia pipes (very small by todays standards) And it works on a 4x4 exhaust where lugging is expected with a dual exhaust system--

Another way would be to build custom super shortie headers-- something like what you see on the late model Buicks with a 3800 V6. BUt that is a lot of engineering.

And ofcourse you could by custom full fender well exit headers too.

Early Jeeps are canidates for exhaust outside the frame rails because the frame is so narrow. It is an 'old school' method and look. Rock Crawlers put them inside the frame(usually) because they are better protected from getting crushed or dragged off.

 

HMMM lots of fabrication. I would really like it inside the frame since I want to put a 6 point cage and tie it into the frame. Any ideas of how to do this and keep the fenderwell headers?

 

To run the exhaust inside the frame stock buick manifolds will work fine. If you still have ross steering you'll need the backwards one that dumps at the front for the driver's side. (I think a passenger side manifold can be turned around and use for this. Not sure though. I haven't actually tried it.)

 

have the hedman ones. got better deal @ flaps then online.

 

Mine a re cheepo pacesetters and the paint burnt off of them first trip out

 

My rig has long tube headers that go directly outside the frame. It seemed to be the best solution, as I have seen stock manifolds and like was mentioned the plumbing can get really ugly. Two short mufflers, and a nice tone to rattle ear drums. I still need to put hangers on it as everything is supported from the header bolts!

-Hill