Stockvs Ram horn manifolds

[longbeach]

Hi, I have an 86 K20 350 V8. The headers that came with it are rusting out. Would like to go back with cast iron manifolds either stock or maybe rams horn. Does anyone have any experience with the rams horn ones. Clearance issues. Straight down exit or rear facing? Thanks

 

[PrairieDrifter]

The rear shooting should fit all squares, can't say with a manual. But it shouldn't contact the z-bar itself.

The straight downs should fit 4wd, may have some motor mount clearance issues, but should work. I don't think they will work for 2wd, I don't know though.

Was about to swap to the straight downs on the burb, then put the rear shooters on another truck.

Straight downs are 2.5 inch. Rear shooters are 2 inch.

I really really like my exhaust note. It's very low and unique.

 

[Ricko1966]

The performance Rams horns won't work on a square,if that's why you were going to rams horns. The ones you want for performance are 2.5 diameter and shoot straight down. The angled Rams horns are 2 inch.

 

[ma3600vz]

ram horn way better the regular manifolds but if you get regular manifolds get the hooker ones they also make rams horns and get the bigest out let diameter

 

[ma3600vz]

go here https://www.holley.com/products/exhaust/headers_and_exhaust_manifolds/ select small block gen 1 select manifold select rams horn and manifolds

 

[CalSgt]

The performance Rams horns won't work on a square,if that's why you were going to rams horns. The ones you want for performance are 2.5 diameter and shoot straight down. The angled Rams horns are 2 inch.

^^^^ 2.5” are the only ones worth while

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[CalSgt]

ram horn way better the regular manifolds but if you get regular manifolds get the hooker ones they also make rams horns and get the bigest out let diameter

The only reason for the common belief that ram horns are better is due to the 2.5” ones pictured above from a H.O. 327 Corvette. The vast majority of ram horns out there are no better than any other manifold.

 

[RanchWelder]

IF you can fit the 2-1/2"version RAMs, then OK......... Big IF.
The proper Corvette versions with 2-1/2 are un-obtanium.

Your mileage might vary.

On several truck frames, where the frame is narrow at the engine bay, RAMS might not even fit, if you can find them.

The starter could get heat soaked and ruined too.
So you might convert to a 1994-1999 smaller version GM starter, no matter what manifolds you buy.

Hooker's work great and are on sale lately.
Cast Iron Hooker's rock.
They mount under your plug wires, so they do not cook your plugs.

My Hooker castings are extremely thick and very well over-engineered.
Way stronger than factory cast iron.

If you can buy the Hooker cast iron on sale get them and weld custom down pipes.
You will not be unhappy.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

IF you can fit the 2-1/2"version RAMs, then OK......... Big IF.
The proper Corvette versions with 2-1/2 are un-obtanium.

Your mileage might vary.

On several truck frames, where the frame is narrow at the engine bay, RAMS might not even fit, if you can find them.

The starter could get heat soaked and ruined too.
So you might convert to a 1994-1999 smaller version GM starter, no matter what manifolds you buy.

Hooker's work great and are on sale lately.
Cast Iron Hooker's rock.
They mount under your plug wires, so they do not cook your plugs.

My Hooker castings are extremely thick and very well over-engineered.
Way stronger than factory cast iron.

If you can buy the Hooker cast iron on sale get them and weld custom down pipes.
You will not be unhappy.

Rockauto has both ramhorns. 2 inch and 2.5. $100 a piece. Way more starter clearance than any header lol

 

[PrairieDrifter]

The only reason for the common belief that ram horns are better is due to the 2.5” ones pictured above from a H.O. 327 Corvette. The vast majority of ram horns out there are no better than any other manifold.

Why?

I'll take ramhorns over any smog era log manifold AND HEADERS. I don't want to pay $1000 dollars for a set of headers that won't leak. For the usual minuscule benefits of headers, the cons FAR outweigh them.

They don't fit good, they don't last, they leak, and you can't even get a socket on half of the damn spark plugs let alone dickin with them with a wrench...

My ramhorns havent ever leaked and they sound great. You can't convince me they don't flow better than any other manifold. The plugs and wires don't get burnt up, and you can get a socket on every single plug.

 

[longbeach]

Thanks to all for the info.. I was thinking of going with stock GM rams horns. Someone local has them in either straight down or rear exit at a good price. But, I'll check out the Hooker ones also.
have to agree about the headers hard to get at plugs, they rust, they leak, clearance issues.

 

[Ricko1966]

All Vettes weren't 2.5 some were 2 inch 2.5s didn't only come on vettes they were on the hp model sbc's Pics of both center dump rams and pic of a vortec truck manifold I picked up,I'd also look at lt 1 and 90 up Gbody vans as you can see the vortec I grabbed is 2.5 inch

 

[CalSgt]

All Vettes weren't 2.5 some were 2 inch 2.5s didn't only come on vettes they were on the hp model sbc's Pics of both center dump rams and pic of a vortec truck manifold I picked up,I'd also look at lt 1 and 90 up Gbody vans as you can see the vortec I grabbed is 2.5 inch

I guess the Chevelle, Camero and Impala SS’s could have had the 2.5” ram horns, I assumed the ram horn was for fitment in the Corvette with the other cars using a rear exit manifold.

Vortec manifolds are quality stuff for being EGR manifolds, the 96-99 trucks were rated for 330 HP which is right below the H.O. 327’s.

Unlike half of the other SBC manifolds all the Vortec ones I’ve mounted weren’t warped. I’ll add the fit in the frame rails of a square like they were purpose built for them.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[CalSgt]

Why?

I'll take ramhorns over any smog era log manifold AND HEADERS. I don't want to pay $1000 dollars for a set of headers that won't leak. For the usual minuscule benefits of headers, the cons FAR outweigh them.

They don't fit good, they don't last, they leak, and you can't even get a socket on half of the damn spark plugs let alone dickin with them with a wrench...

My ramhorns havent ever leaked and they sound great. You can't convince me they don't flow better than any other manifold. The plugs and wires don't get burnt up, and you can get a socket on every single plug.

I have nothing against ram horns, I just don’t believe they are better than other manifolds with exception given to the 2.5”. I also am not a fan of headers for all the reasons you mentioned…

ETA: You do have a good point about early SMOG era manifolds, at the end of the SBC’s use in GM cars and trucks I think GM really had the manifolds figured out. Vortec, LT1 etc.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I have nothing against ram horns, I just don’t believe they are better than other manifolds with exception given to the 2.5”. I also am not a fan of headers for all the reasons you mentioned…

ETA: You do have a good point about early SMOG era manifolds, at the end of the SBC’s use in GM cars and trucks I think GM really had the manifolds figured out. Vortec, LT1 etc.

So many variations through the 70's and 80's.