Headers...plug n play???

[fallguy]

'86 350 with AC. What headers are going to be plug and play with no mods and still get to my plugs without a major issue?

 

[gpmorgan]

There are several types of headers for your ride. If you want "plug and play", you will need shorty heders. Most any headers are going to make the spark plugs a little harder to change.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/snh-cc3-p/overview/year/1986/make/chevrolet/model/k10
Here is one example of plug and play.

 

[89Suburban]

There are several types of headers for your ride. If you want "plug and play", you will need shorty heders. Most any headers are going to make the spark plugs a little harder to change.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/snh-cc3-p/overview/year/1986/make/chevrolet/model/k10
Here is one example of plug and play.

Wow, gasketless design.

 

[87ChevyR10]

None of the aftermarket headers are true plug'n'play. If you still have the AIR pump installed and working, you'll need to remove all of that in order to use after market headers.

EDIT> If you're gonna take the time to remove the AIR pump system, might as well save some $$$ and get long tube headers. Summit makes a set for half the price of shorty headers http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9006/overview/year/1987/make/chevrolet/model/r10

EDIT 2: You can get those Summit Long Tube Headers and these (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-50230flt/overview/) for $180.00 Then go to AutoZone or a muffler shop and get some tubing which will fit the outlet of the muffler. Prolley spend close if not a tad more than on this setup than buying hte the shorty headers only.

The setup above is what I will get for my truck soon.

 

[nvrenuf]

There will also be a trip to the muffler shop to hook up the pipes to the headers.

 

[87ChevyR10]

There will also be a trip to the muffler shop to hook up the pipes to the headers.

Not if he gets the type of mufflers I linked. They bolt directly to the collectors.

I wonder how loud the truck will be with glass packs bolted directly to the headers and dumping under the cab somewhere?

 

[fallguy]

I have no smog control on the truck.

Any performance differences between the long tube and short headers?

 

[87ChevyR10]

I have no smog control on the truck.

Any performance differences between the long tube and short headers?

That'll make your life a bit easier then. I imagine long tubes will have the advantage due to having larger diameter tubing for each exhaust port. Could be wrong though. I just know that the shorties are twice the cost of some long tubes.

 

[gpmorgan]

The long tube headers are suppose to give you a little more torque. There are some shorties that are a little cheaper. Remember you get what you pay for. You ask about plug and play and thats the reason I mentioned the shorties. I have long tube with ball and flange collectors. Also, I use the MR Gasket copper gaskets at the heads.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-69890/overview/year/1986/make/chevrolet/model/k10

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-7150/overview/make/chevrolet

 

[Mr Clean]

I paid like 100 bucks for my shortys:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[gpmorgan]

That was a great buy. What brand are they?

 

[Swims350]

IF you find shorties with a ball end they might fit with no mods.

these trucks most I saw had one dumped straight down or both, on stock manifolds which made it different from most headers.

Most headers use a flat flange, that will not work as direct bolt on, you'd need the factory pipe ends cut off and reducers clamped or welded on.

bolt on muflers will not fit on some trucks, our 86 k10 had no straight shot from long tubes, and neither did old man's 84 c10 so even if they are flange bolt on mufflers they won't just bolt up.

 

[GreaseDog]

I paid like 100 bucks for my shortys:

You must be registered for see images attach

Someone screwed up and sent you mid length headers.