Headers and exhaust system for '73 Z28

[btyler]

My motor is currently being built and it's being stroked to a 383 that should put out about 450-500 hp and over 500 ft lb of torque. I'm looking for a 1.75" diameter long tube header that fits my car, any thoughts? Also, I'm looking to install a complete new exhaust system. I would appreciate input as to what type of system that I should go with?? 2.5" or 3"? I want a nice deep rumble, not tinny sounding...

4 speed Muncie M22.

 

[G72Zed]

My motor is currently being built and it's being stroked to a 383 that should put out about 450-500 hp and over 500 ft lb of torque. I'm looking for a 1.75" diameter long tube header that fits my car, any thoughts? Also, I'm looking to install a complete new exhaust system. I would appreciate input as to what type of system that I should go with?? 2.5" or 3"? I want a nice deep rumble, not tinny sounding...

4 speed Muncie M22.

Hooker has a nice set of Super Comp's #2117, 1.75 prim. 36" long, 3.0 collector, that's what I used.

A 2.5 mandrel bent system is good to "approx". 515 HP.

Muffler CFM flow will have an impact on max HP through exhaust.

3 inch is a little more noisy because of surface area. I used a Flowmaster mandrel bent kit and made my own, OLD SUV Flowmasters..nice sound..

 

[buildinmy73]

Get your self a set of Dynatech ceramic headers very nice set . You get what you pay for !
Then 3" X pipe to spintech mufflers

 

[formulaguy]

Dynomax welded ultra flows are the best flowing mufflers out there. Not an opinion.. it's actually been tested. Flowmasters were among the worst flowing. Search the web for an article called "Silent Power" by Jim Hand (?), a pretty prominent figure in the Pontiac world - he tested a variety of mufflers on a flow bench, and reported both the flow, and decibel levels at idle, cruise, and WOT. I might have a copy of the paperwork... He also included a CD so you could actually hear them different mufflers on his test engine (mild 455 if I recall correctly)

 

[G72Zed]

Dynomax welded ultra flows are the best flowing mufflers out there. Not an opinion.. it's actually been tested. Flowmasters were among the worst flowing. Search the web for an article called "Silent Power" by Jim Hand (?), a pretty prominent figure in the Pontiac world - he tested a variety of mufflers on a flow bench, and reported both the flow, and decibel levels at idle, cruise, and WOT. I might have a copy of the paperwork... He also included a CD so you could actually hear them different mufflers on his test engine (mild 455 if I recall correctly)

Agree, they flow enough to support 2000hp. I beleive most HP mufflers flow enough not to restrict a typical 450-550 hp engine, sound, well that's personal preference.


No need for Google, still have the original article. SE 71 Pont. wagon.

My old Flowmasters only flow 600 cfm, but with only 540 HP (through complete exhaust), dont require more cfm, they are 25 yrs old, and still in perfect condition, might change just for a different sound.

I like the collector design of the Hookers...unless they have changed.

 

[BonzoHansen]

American Racing Headers

 

[vfitom2aol.com]

When I had my '73 Hookers fit very nicely and sounded great. No issues with plugs except for #8.

 

[muscl car]

Go with a 3" dia system with a good flowing x pipe , also look into Flowmaster 10 series 1 chamber race mufflers . These mufflers flow really good with little to no restriction

As for exh systems nothing beats a nice custom made set up from your local hi performance muffler shop

I'm running these mufflers once again on my Camaro with a 11.1:1 comp , 257/269 @ .050 mech flat tappet cam 425hp sbc . I used to run these mufflers up until 6 years ago and at that time was running Spintech mufflers until a couple months ago

I'm going to be swapping out this motor with a Shafiroff 434 sbc soon so the 3" exh will still work

 

[btyler]

How did the Hooker's fit? Are there any ground clearance issues?

 

[warped]

I have Hooker Comps (not the Super Comps) on my 73. they fit fine and I have no ground clearance issues. The headers are more than 20 years old so cannot say whether more current versions will fit the same.

I put the Flowmaster american Thunder exhaust system on the car behind the headers, but didn't like the Flowmaster mufflers. The pipes fit well and the install (on my back in the garage) was pretty straight forward. I had the system welded up after a few months once I was certain it would work. Good luck.