IROC406

Hey everyone. I found two headers available for my 89 IROC with 350 TPI. Can anyone tell me if the Hedman 68470 (Ball socket style) decrease ground clearance vs the Hooker 2460HKR (3 bolt mount style)?

I really don't want to lose any ground clearance. Also, I'd like to be able to remove my starter and plugs if needed. What do you suggest? I know you would suggest Dyno Dons for good reasons but I'm pretty sure I would not be able to afford them. TIA!

Airwolfe

iTrader: (1)

Does your 89 IROC-Z still have a basically stock 350 TPI engine?

Does your 89 IROC-Z still have the stock torque convertor in the transmission and 2.77 gears in the 9 bolt rear end?

If it does then you don't need headers YET.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I don't know the part number as they were bought 15+ years ago now, but I have the hedman ball/socket style longtubes in my car (previously with a TH350 auto, now with a T-5) and you won't lose ground clearance with the headers, but you will for everything behind the collector. The collector is basically going to be located at the last "tucked" position and any pipe that you connect will need to come down a bit to continue towards the rear.

IROC406

Does your 89 IROC-Z still have a basically stock 350 TPI engine?

Does your 89 IROC-Z still have the stock torque convertor in the transmission and 2.77 gears in the 9 bolt rear end?

If it does then you don't need headers.

IMO this is the best advice I got here, other forums, or facebook groups!

IROC406

I prefer the shorty headers but the ball socket style do seem to take up more space.
Airwolfe said it best though..
"Basically stock" cars like mine won't benefit from using shorty headers over stock manifolds..

4valvemach

The ball and socket flange is what you want definitely not the old style with a gasket.They are shorty headers so ground clearance does not come into factor.You will need to make a Ypipe or try and use your old section and weld the new adapter to it.

Tom 400 CFI

Where does this notion come from? The stock exhaust manifolds are bad. They stock y pipe...it's bad too. IMO, exhaust is one of the first mods you should do on an F-bod...yes, even before the famous "drive shaft mod" that prevents stockish 305's from pole-vaulting 3rd gens.
I had an '83 CFI TA....everyone knows how "ferocious" the 305 CFI car is. With Edelbrock "headers" and Y pipe, later cat and 3" SLP cat back, and "free mods" (Timing, fuel pressure and no fan) it went 14.5 @ 95. I sure wish I had a before/after, but I don't. Still, we know a few basic things: that stock CFI cars were 170hp (on a good day!) and ran high 15's or low 16's. We also know that timing, fuel pressure and no fan, isn't going to put that LU5 car into the 14's...that's for sure. We know that it takes about 220....230 hp to get a 3300 lb car to trap 95, so where did the majority of that power come from? The exhaust.

*I* would absolutely put headers (AND "Y", exhaust) on an stock F-bod. Definitely.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I’ve read a lot of snake-oil posts, but what’s the “drive shaft mod”?

skinny z

Headers and decent exhaust is typically first in the hot rodding game. Stock or otherwise there'll be a benefit.

4valvemach

Here is a dual exhaust system i did with the Hedman shorty headers ,yes i know its ruff lol 😆 definitely would do mandrel bend exhaust

Tom 400 CFI

I think that exhaust looks pretty good! I love the routing/packaging! Mandrel bent pipe would be better....but what you did there is probably better than good enough, and definitely way, WAY better than stock!




Snake Oil, too.

It was from ANOTHER THREAD, where some really bad advice was being given to change the driveshaft in a ~14 second caras an early mod for "speed and safety". I was making a joke about that, for those who are familiar w/the discussion.

GTA1990

iTrader: (1)

clean tuck on that exhaust by the fender area Sir. My hedman y-pipe that I've had a 3inch 90deg bend added to hangs down embarrassingly low. Hopefully the GFX (91 TA) will help with the shame

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Great looking work

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Id love to hear it! True duals have to make a whole different sound on these cars I would imagine

4valvemach

It sounded just as terrible as a crossflow muffler LOL I think i have a YouTube video