need opinions on summit headers

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Oct 7, 2003 | 06:20 PM

84-250

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From: Munroe falls, Ohio

need opinions on summit headers

I might get some summit shorty headers(SUM-G9036) for 86-95 5.8L. I will be paint them with high temp paint. It should fit my 84 even though they are for 86 and up b/c on autozone both the 84 and 86 take the same manifold and also on the cyberpartspro website, my 84 exhaust looks perfectly like the 85-86 302 or 351w with dual cats with the air tube but not the 84 picture.
so my questions:
I need some opinions on the summit headers(i'm in college)
I'll also go from the 2.25" pipe off the cat to a 2" borla muffler i found in the garage.
so what do you think of my setup?

Oct 7, 2003 | 08:06 PM

dougg

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I have the summit shorties on my truck. 5.0. They are ok.. Getting to the bolts tight is a real Pain in the butt. You can't even get a box wrench on them all of them. SO you have to use the open side of the wrench and you can;t get them tight. They start to strip first. I picked up a set of alen headed header bolts that helped, but If I was to buy headers again I would get better ones..

They a good if you are on a tight budget, but you will kick your self everytime the bolts loosen up and you have to replace the gasket yet again..

Doug

Oct 7, 2003 | 08:08 PM

84-250

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From: Munroe falls, Ohio

why didnt you use a socket? would a better gasket/bolts help or was it the construction of the headers?

Oct 7, 2003 | 08:19 PM

dougg

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I would love to use a socket, but the header tubes are in the way! Plus the bolt is sooo close the the tubes that a socket is too thick to fit...

The better headers appear to route the tubes so you can get to the bolts..

I did use different bolts (allen headed) and it helped. Header bolts always lossen up. I check them at every oil change...

Doug

Last edited by dougg; Oct 7, 2003 at 08:21 PM.

Oct 7, 2003 | 08:42 PM

dougg

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I just noticed that you are planning on going to a 2" muffler. Tooo small for a 351 Stock is 2.25".. 2.5" maybe even 3" would be about right..

Doug

Oct 8, 2003 | 06:02 AM

84-250

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From: Munroe falls, Ohio

the muffler is a straight thru borla, all stainless steel

Oct 9, 2003 | 12:05 AM

AUBronco40

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From: Denver, CO

you would still want to go 2.5" or bigger....I have a 3" sysetem on my 302 and it runs great. But if its free thats great but if you get some money together you might wanna get a bigger one.

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Oct 9, 2003 | 06:27 PM

84-250

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From: Munroe falls, Ohio

I have all winter to decide on weather to use the 2" borla or get another muffler.
I just read on the dynomax site that primary tube length:
Determines torque above or below the peak horsepower RPM point. Shorter tubes add torque above the peak RPM point and reduce torque below. Longer tubes add torque below the peak RPM point and reduce torque above it.
is that true?
does it have a large effect on the engine's proformance?
anyone know the peak hp/rpm point for a stock 84 351w?

Last edited by 84-250; Oct 9, 2003 at 06:33 PM.