After cracking and repairing two sets of headers multiple times, I have decided to go with the Speedway Tru-Ram cast stainless steel manifolds:
http://www.speedwaymotors.c...haust-Manifolds.html
They are available in cast iron for $ 299.95, cast stainless steel for $349.95 and polished stainless for 449.95. I went with the cast stainless so they will never rust and kept the cast finish so they would not be the shiniest part on my engine and more closely match everything else.

My SBC swap has been on the road for several years and started with 81 Vette stainless steel manifolds, then Pacesetter LT-1 Vette headers and now the Speedway Tru-Ram Manifolds.

Here are some pics:




Below are the weights of several manifolds/headers (1 side):
81 Corvette stainless steel tubular manifolds: 5.0 lbs
Mid 90's Pacesetter LT-1 Corvette headers: 7.0 lbs
Stock Caprice LT-1 exhaust manifold: 11.5 lbs
Speedway Tru-Ram stainless manifold: 13.5 lbs

Using the Tru-Rams will add 17 lbs to my car from the original Vette manifolds, but if I never mess with manifolds/headers again, the 17 lbs will be worth it!

Installed:



The manifolds fit good within the confines of the SBC/Fiero engine bay (manual transmission install) and easily clear the halfshaft.

Now I just have to wait until my exhaust reducers come in to modify my current exhaust to fit these new manifolds. I would like to have the car back on the road by next weekend.

those look like a nice quality piece. The polished ones aren't to shabby either.

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REMEMBER KIDS 4.9's ARE NOT SBC's

Good to see you posting again Guru!

I have been eyeing those manifolds as well but have been leaning towards the reproduction 2.5" Rams Horns that can be had at just about any parts stores these days. I think the best price I have found was $79 each. In your mind is there any advantage to the speedway manifolds other than being available in stainless?

I need some of those! Very nice!

Say, do you happen to have similar pics of your old ones? I'd like to see them for reference.

Thanks!

quote Originally posted by Jefrysuko: Good to see you posting again Guru! In your mind is there any advantage to the speedway manifolds other than being available in stainless?

I am glad to be back working on my car, work has finally settled down to a calm roar so now I have some time to perform a few more upgrades prior to the 2007 Power Tour!

I chose the Tru-Rams mostly for the stainless availibility, aestitics and curiosity. It is unknown if they flow any better or worse than the original 2.5 Rams Horns.

Thanks! If you happen to get a shot of them from above, please post. I am trying to find out which ones I already have.

I'd rather have the ones you bought - of course! Those will look nice-

Which part number are you using? What size are the primaries? The spec sheet shown don't list them. Those definitiely should last.

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: Which part number are you using? What size are the primaries? The spec sheet shown don't list them. Those definitiely should last.

I am using part #9300301, but using a jegs 2 1/2" to 2 1/2" reducer. The primaries looked to be about 1 1/2" in diameter with a 2 1/2" collector.

Thanks, Dave!

Are you selling the old ones or are they all cracked?

quote Originally posted by Saxman: Are you selling the old ones or are they all cracked?

I am not selling the old ones, they have been welded multiple times and are now cracked inside the collectors in a very difficult location to fix.

Here is the exhaust modified for the slightly differnent exit points on Tru-Rams from the LT-1 headers and painted with rustoleum aluminum paint. Hopefully, it will dry this afternoon so it can be installed.

[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 04-15-2007).]

Bump

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: Bump

For the collector gaskets, make sure to use the copper version, not the aluminum. I blew out/melted 2 sets of the aluminum ones before switching to the copper. The copper ones have been holding fine since swapped out early this summer.

I also added an expansion joint between the two banks to isolate any movement at the collectors. The aluminum gaskets would need to be re tightened (they were wire tied) and I suspect it was a combination of them getting soft and the pipes moving slighly during thermal cycles.

[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 12-17-2007).]

Here is a cast iron version of the Tru_Rams on ebay with a starting bid of 159.99 and no reserve...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem