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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:19 pm 
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Location: the very south of germany
some more pictures


Attachments:
File comment: cutting & tweaking
P1020813.JPG
P1020813.JPG [ 141.59 KiB | Viewed 61 times ]
File comment: making the tubes a bit square to get clearence for bolts
P1020818.JPG
P1020818.JPG [ 119.97 KiB | Viewed 61 times ]
File comment: first metal stuff
P1020820.JPG
P1020820.JPG [ 106.94 KiB | Viewed 61 times ]

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:23 pm 
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Location: florida
could you please post pictures of the finished headers from under the car and from both sides so we can get a better feel for the whole install, once its up and running?

building headers is a very time intensive project and knowing how to welt especially TIG weld is a great asset.

IVE been saving for a set of these

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=352&p=433&hilit=legos#p433

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:23 pm 
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Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:56 pm
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Location: the very south of germany
getting the stuff done

Hi Grumpy, yes I'll post some more pics from the other side and underneath as soon as it is running.

Tried to save for "the Legos" as well, it must be fun to design with them, but I felt I was running out of time before having the budget...so I went down the painful route ;)

regards

C.


Attachments:
File comment: a little helper to center the tubes
(don't forget to remove them before welding ;o) )

P1020829.JPG
P1020829.JPG [ 121.16 KiB | Viewed 53 times ]
right-side-top.jpg
right-side-top.jpg [ 89.04 KiB | Viewed 53 times ]
File comment: I might rework the detour with a wider bow rather than the 90° angle, maybe...sometimes...who knows...next car ?
right side-bottom.jpg
right side-bottom.jpg [ 93.11 KiB | Viewed 53 times ]

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:52 pm 
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its always mildly amazing and a bit frustrating, how complex the simple routing of a few header primary pipes can become once you need to snake them around suspension and roll cage components in a tight engine compartment, especially if your trying to maintain a semi similar length on each tube, but you look like you've done a good job, and your sure to have gained experience that will prove very useful in the future.
every time I build custom headers I get a bit better at it, gain a bit more skill with a welder, a good deal more skill at cutting tubing and measuring angles, accurately, and usually swear Ill, never do it again, but theres a great deal of satisfaction in doing the job correctly and you'll be surprised at the difference well designed headers can make in your torque curve.
the result seems to be that you constantly feel that the last set you built could be improved upon and in almost every case thats not only correct but you see how, you could have done so, yourself after you've finished each set, so, you look at each set as less than ideal, but the truth is that after a few sets you gain enough basic skill that the gains you make at first are very noticeable, but as you progress , and gain skill in both the planing and fabrication, stages you produce better and better headers, and making major improvements becomes a bit harder to do.
keep in mind most factory headers are designed with ease of fabrication, and low cost and easy installation as the primary goals

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=352

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=1166

http://www.slowgt.com/Calc2.htm#Header

http://www.bgsoflex.com/auto.html

these threads might help

http://metalgeek.com/static/cope.pcgi

http://www.pontiacracing.net/js_header_length1.htm

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:21 pm 
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Location: florida
viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3158&p=8431&hilit=roll+cage#p8431

btw anytime you get the least feeling you can,t weld.....................look thru this thread above its sure to make you feel better about your skill level, I know it brought a big grin to my face seeing how badly it really can be done!

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 10:39 am 
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Both headers are done, looking forward to get them installed tomorrow :D
as you might reconize in respect of length I connected the long primaries to the short bends of the collectors 4-2-1, and vc vs the short primaries to long bend of the collectors. Also firing order has ben taken into account.
Hope this all back the effort at the dyno.
C.


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headers-done-small.jpg
headers-done-small.jpg [ 148.71 KiB | Viewed 19 times ]

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Re: how to size a 4-2-1 header for my SBC
PostPosted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:31 pm 
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its always Impressive, to see the amount of work required and the details of that work that was required to build custom components, especially engine and related components ,especially when you considered, that you need to work around the frame,suspension and engine to get headers to fit and still try to maintain semi-equal length tubes.
many guys would have tried to do that custom fabrication work and given up after a couple hours ,after realizing its not nearly as easy to do as it at first might appear to be, I think you did a really nice job for a first try!,Id point out that Ive seen many sets that looked far less well done, produced from supposed pro-muffler shops, whose main goal was making a profit , which is as I,m sure you know now an unlikely prospect once you start counting the time and materials required,to fabricate headers that fit a custom installation with suspension and frame components blocking the easy routes
if you get a chance, after those headers are installed, let us know your impression of both how the car sounds and how it runs and accelerates

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