Manifold and Exhaust

[ryaleon]

So I have a broken manifold bolt, figured while I was in there changing it out I might as well swap the manifolds and all bolts.

Can anyone recommend a good set of headers that will work with the stock exhaust?

Will this work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-GMC-4-...0fb08a&vxp=mtr

Or this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/181152402419... 4.m1438.l2649

[jsbihn]

I am curious too.
I am also wondering if there are any real gains to this.
I know some of the cheaper headers at some point had cracked when it came to other cars but I would like to see how these would work.

Btw ryaleon, it looks like we have the same taste in cars.
I have a 2003 H2 and a 99 Corvette heavily modded with more to be modded :-)
(and a 2004 M3 which is probably getting sold)

[ryaleon]

Originally Posted by jsbihn

Btw ryaleon, it looks like we have the same taste in cars.
I have a 2003 H2 and a 99 Corvette heavily modded with more to be modded :-)(and a 2004 M3 which is probably getting sold)

I'm actually going to sell my C6 sometime soon.....but only because I want the C7!

[LoJac963]

I've mentioned many times that OBX has been proven quite a few times. Although cheap they essentially copy the big name brands and put out virtually the same product. When I had my GTO the vette guys went nuts over OBX.

Compare the price of Kooks LT's and OBX LT's and its a no brainer. Send them to get ceramic coated inside and out and you've got a great set of headers.

As far as gains, you won't get much with shorties-long tubes is where its at. That however means reconfiguring your entire exhaust where the shorties will bolt right in place of the oem manifolds.

When I eventually swap mine out I'll go with OBX simply due to the price. Still haven't decided whether to go with shorties or LT's. Probably shorties just because I have no interest in changing the stock exhaust.

[ryaleon]

Obx seem like the way to go then. I too have no intentions of changing the stock exhaust.

[ryaleon]

I'm assuming that if the headers are compatible with an 07 they should be fine for 03-06 right?

[jsbihn]

C7 - grrrrrrr
(the vote is still out on whether on not i like the new vette)
well hey if i could i would hold on to my cars - too much blood, sweat, and cash into them

As for the headers, yeah i understand the difference between the long and the short. I have long on my vette.
Had long on my M3

Given, I would probably go long on the H2 and then do a straight back exhaust . probably straight H/X-pipe

[ryaleon]

C7 looks so spiffy. Think I am going to be getting a C3 sometime soon.

Anyways ordered the obx shorties.

[jsbihn]

Originally Posted by ryaleon

C7 looks so spiffy. Think I am going to be getting a C3 sometime soon.

Anyways ordered the obx shorties.

Yeah C3s are ok, but all the ones I know of always had some issues. Whether it was body or engine or electrical.

But hey it was the 70s

[ryaleon]

Turns out I had two broken manifold bolts. One on the very back was sticking out quite a bit and was easy to get out...the other well...sigh. Tried a left handed drill bit and ez out. Drilled about 3/4 length of the bit. Tried the easy out. It bit down a bit and the bolt turned a bit. So it's not seized up or anything.
Anyways got greedy and attempted to drill full length of the bit so I could get a better bite with the ez out. Drill bit snapped and now I'm stuck. Sigh, fun stuff.

[LoJac963]

hmm well the bit shouldn't be too terrible to get out if you can grab a little chunk of the end with some needlenose.

On my old Camaro with aftermarket heads the same thing happened. Unfortunately the aluminum was so thin the bit actually punched through the top....talk about pissed!

[ryaleon]

It's been pretty hard to get out so far. Haven't made any progress with the needlenose really. Any suggestions?

[LoJac963]

The only thing I've done is drill a hole right next to the broken bit. The problem being the broken bit is harder than the broken stud. I haven't messed with mine at all so I'm not sure how hard it is room wise but maybe you can borrow a hammer drill?

[jsbihn]

Is it possible you can notch it with a dremel or a flat head and hammer and then come in with a flat head and back them out?

[LoJac963]

^that's an idea, maybe a small chisel. Also try warming the engine up to let me metal expand a bit. Just don't burn the hell out of yourself, been there too many times lol.

[jmudler]

Find a washer with a hole just smaller that the stud size. Weld a washer to the stud, then weld a nut to the washer.

[ryaleon]

Finally done! That was hell. I'd say if you can afford to take the deuce to a shop to remove broken manifold bolts....do it.

[jsbihn]

how did you end up getting it out?

[ryaleon]

I used a really small punch and beat on the broken drill bits ass. Then I was lucky enough to have the ez out grab a bite and backed the bolt out very slowly