MY $.02 on the header issue...and another question!

[patrick flowers]

Speaking of "headers" - I thought I had this one fixed.
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Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

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Reply-To: "Skid"
From: "Skid"
To: "GMC Motorhome.com mailing list post address"
Subject: MY $.02 on the header issue...and another question!
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 22:44:43 -0800

Yo!

Having had several sets of headers in my past, and particularly a
longer haul experience with a full Banks kit on my last P-30 moho,
believe it or not I'd tend to agree with Arch: save the $$ on the
headers - just make sure that you get a superior job done on the
system aft of the manifolds.

We just had to replace the original manifolds on our '76 Eleganza (a
455, but most of you know that!), and the problem was that the
beautiful, almost new 3" exhaust system was only put on very recently
by the previous owner. So the original manifolds had cracked on both
sides, in several places. We were pleased to find out that Cinnabar
still has some NOS 455 manifolds, and in spite of UPS strike (the work
was done last summer), they were able to get them to us in less than 4
days.

I'd like to follow up with a question to this learned body regarding
the switch from 16.5" wheels and tires to the Alcoa 16" "upgrade" (?)
that Marcus is proposing for his Transmodes. Is this all worth the
money? We're on the edge of needing new tires, and maybe this is a
good time for me to think this one over, especially if I need to make
an appeal to the "budget committee" for funds for Alcoas!

Thanks -

Bill Marx
E-mail: billmarx

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[patrick flowers]

> Having had several sets of headers in my past, and particularly a
> longer haul experience with a full Banks kit on my last P-30 moho,
> believe it or not I'd tend to agree with Arch: save the $$ on the
> headers - just make sure that you get a superior job done on the
> system aft of the manifolds.

I'll join Bill and Arch swimming against the tide on this one. I've had
headers on several vehicles. My first experience was on a 70 Camaro and
it was the best of the lot - due IMO to the fact that an increase in
power related(quickly!) to an increase in speed, easily dissipating the
additional heat. On vehicles that need to make their power at low
speeds(4WD trucks and motorhomes), I've never been happy with them. The
increase in engine compartment heat is tough on fuel and ignition
systems. Header wraps or ceramic coatings help that somewhat, but then
you have to deal with accessory brackets that mount to the exhaust
manifolds not fitting well on the headers(BTDT). IMO, the power gains
that most people attribute to headers actually come from the free
flowing exhaust system they mount at the same time. Go with the 3"
exhaust, but save your money(and headaches) on the headers.

> I'd like to follow up with a question to this learned body regarding
> the switch from 16.5" wheels and tires to the Alcoa 16" "upgrade" (?)
> that Marcus is proposing for his Transmodes. Is this all worth the
> money? We're on the edge of needing new tires, and maybe this is a
> good time for me to think this one over, especially if I need to make
> an appeal to the "budget committee" for funds for Alcoas!

Well, I don't have Alcoas yet, but they're on the short list. Just
about everything I've heard is good. You have a better selection of
better quality tires(in "E" load range), less runout and less unsprung
weight. If anyone has anything "bad" to say about the Alcoas, I'd love
to hear it.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com