Anyone ever install headers on a 4.3L Vortec?

[packrat1969]

OK,

Has anyone here has ever installed a set of headers on their Blazer or S10. Just wondering what kind things you ran into: Cost? Dfficulty of install? Any noticeable performance boost? Any caveats?

Could you be specific as to what brands of headers you chose and why (or why not the others). Did you keep the stock exhaust (any of it)? Any other mods required before chosing headers (ie secondary air intake)?

packrat

[Sen Sen]

Has Anyone done this since this last post?

[dmbrisket 51]

there is really only one or two sets of headers made for the 4.3l, they are expencive as shit, but are lifetime warrenty polished stainless steel, i think your looken up to 6 for a set

[rlith]

Originally Posted by dmbrisket 51

there is really only one or two sets of headers made for the 4.3l, they are expencive as shit, but are lifetime warrenty polished stainless steel, i think your looken up to 6 for a set

Edelbrock makes a nice kit that also includes the y-pipe, $279.00 at summit... Very good kit..(Grappler has them and they really do wonders). But if he's gonna do headers he might want to do a more free flowing exaust system to get the max out of them.

[Sen Sen]

Originally Posted by rlith

Edelbrock makes a nice kit that also includes the y-pipe, $279.00 at summit... Very good kit..(Grappler has them and they really do wonders). But if he's gonna do headers he might want to do a more free flowing exaust system to get the max out of them.

have you done this? Rlith or dmbrisket51
my exhaust is good to go, I'm just wondering how difficult it is to do the headers? and if it's really worth doing?

[rlith]

Originally Posted by Sen Sen

have you done this? Rlith or dmbrisket51
my exhaust is good to go, I'm just wondering how difficult it is to do the headers? and if it's really worth doing?

I've done it to others, not my own. Why? Because I'm upgrading to a 5.7 v8 and will be using lt1 shorty headers

[dmbrisket 51]

i havnt done it, and i dont plan on it, im looken for a doner lt1 right now, its useless to spend money getting a good 4.3 to trade it all in for the 8

[Sen Sen]

Originally Posted by rlith

I've done it to others, not my own. Why? Because I'm upgrading to a 5.7 v8 and will be using lt1 shorty headers

well i was considering it for my blazer, but I would like to know how diffcult it is to do? is this something i could do myself or should i leave it to a mechanic.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by Sen Sen

well i was considering it for my blazer, but I would like to know how diffcult it is to do? is this something i could do myself or should i leave it to a mechanic.

Easily do it yourself.

[BlazerLT]

Stock 4.3L headers have been tested to actually flow very well in their stock form.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Stock 4.3L headers have been tested to actually flow very well in their stock form.

For what they are yes, but they will never flow as well as a good set of tubular headers...

[hunter01]

I would look into using insulating wrap on the headers or at least an insulating blanket on the starter. The wrap lowers the underhood temperature which means cooler air into the intake. You also need to protect the starter from overheating which could make restarting difficult untill it cools down. In the event that you have to change your starter in the future it may be more difficult with the headers installed.

[BlazerLT]

For a normal engine, they would be a waste of money when the stock versions are not restrictive at all.

With a turbo or a supercharger they would be a good edition, but the money could be spent in better places on a stock truck.

[dmbrisket 51]

if your moter is n/a, it will gain you sound if you have an exhaust and intake to go with it, only time you will NEED headers on a 4.3 is if your boosting

[rlith]

Originally Posted by dmbrisket 51

if your moter is n/a, it will gain you sound if you have an exhaust and intake to go with it, only time you will NEED headers on a 4.3 is if your boosting

Actually it will gain you quite a bit... A good example is Grapplers (see v8s10.org) 95.. Stock CPI motor.. He dyno's it before adding anything major... PM for slips. After adding the EDELBROCK tes kit he gained 12 hp, another 4 with the larger exaust system... (including more free flowing cat).... Took us about 2 hours for the headers and 3 for the exaust system the next day. Tubular headers are much more free flowing then stock intake manifolds.