fenderwell headers for chevy II

[v8nova64]

wondering if anyone has had sucess with other fenderwell headers other than box nova ones. Maybe small block jeep or fat fendered street rod headers? pics would help if anyones got any! thanks

my car has an sbc and straight axle and is really open up front besides the down bars (no towers or inner fenders) and steering shaft.

Just wondering if anyone has used fenderwell headers from other vehicles in there nova. I can get a set of conversion v8 jeep ones for a real good price would like to know if i could use them. They are not local so i cant try before i buy.

I would buy a weld up kit but i dont think my fab skills are up to it plus i dont have a tig, i bought a lincoln 180HD mig 220v machine about 6 months ago but i dont have a spool gun and dont want to buy one.

I would really like to find out if the jeep ones fit that would be awesome.

[jamesdmikesell]

i had a set of doug thorleys on a 63 they worked great that was 74 bet there still aond

[ardyboy]

Hooker makes a nice set also.

[oj]

I had hookers on mine. I see that the newest generation of fenderwell headers turn the collector so it goes under the floor now instead of dumping at the tire.
Mine were big tube and went together in pieces, i spent the better part of a summer getting them on the car!

[v8nova64]

Good suggestions but they are all out of my price range. The jeep ones i can get for under 200 thats shipped and everything i just dont know if they will work. I believe they would since my front end is wide open but i dont want to take that chance order them and then fid out they dont fit

[1971BB427]

Brake master cylinder location is an issue with any fenderwells that don't rise to go over it. With the Jeep headers you'll need to relocate the master to use them. If you relocate the master you've got lots of choices that are reasonable, but probably not cheaper with the relocation and a new master/brake combo purchase.

[v8nova64]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Brake master cylinder location is an issue with any fenderwells that don't rise to go over it. With the Jeep headers you'll need to relocate the master to use them. If you relocate the master you've got lots of choices that are reasonable, but probably not cheaper with the relocation and a new master/brake combo purchase.

so by relocating the master the jeep headers will work? Has anyone done this? thanks for the info its just what i am looking for.

Pics would be of great help

[hotroddon]

Originally Posted by v8nova64

I would buy a weld up kit but i dont think my fab skills are up to it plus i dont have a tig, i bought a lincoln 180HD mig 220v machine about 6 months ago but i dont have a spool gun and dont want to buy one.

Why do you think you need a Spool Gun to weld a set of headers with a MIG? I build prototype headers for a living and we will use the MIG all the time to build prototypes, and we don't have any spool guns. They aren't as pretty as a TIG, but with the right amperage and wire speed they weld together just fine, and look more than acceptable.

[v8nova64]

Originally Posted by hotroddon

Why do you think you need a Spool Gun to weld a set of headers with a MIG? I build prototype headers for a living and we will use the MIG all the time to build prototypes, and we don't have any spool guns. They aren't as pretty as a TIG, but with the right amperage and wire speed they weld together just fine, and look more than acceptable.

i just thought to weld aluminized tubing you needed to be set up for aluminum. What gas do you use? Ive heard of people using emt for headers (ive welded it before) but i am not sure about bending.

[falcongeorge]

Originally Posted by jamesdmikesell

i had a set of doug thorleys on a 63 they worked great that was 74 bet there still aond

Originally Posted by ardyboy

Hooker makes a nice set also.

I have a set of old Thorleys for my car. Unlike the Hookers, they will clear the stock heater core fittings. Pretty hard to find a usable set of Thorleys now though...

[v8nova64]

I know a guy at one of the warehouse part stores. They have a huge box full of exhaust pipe with all sorts of bends in it that was given to them by a muffler shop that recently shut down. They dont sell these pipes unless someone asks for them. i hope they havent got rid of them. can someone school me on making fenderwells for my car? length of tubes, number of bends, routing tubes etc.. ?

[hotroddon]

Originally Posted by v8nova64

i just thought to weld aluminized tubing you needed to be set up for aluminum. What gas do you use? Ive heard of people using emt for headers (ive welded it before) but i am not sure about bending.

Do NOT use Aluminized tubing. It doesn't weld for shit and looks like hell. Use regular mild steel. And you don't use aluminum welding process for it anyway, regular steel wire.
EMT would be even sillier - it is for electrical wiring, not exhaust. J
ust get some mandrel bends from Summit or Jegs, the proper flanges, collectors etc. and go to town.

There was a good article in Car Craft a month or two ago about building a set of Fenderwell headers!

[FlynBrian]

Check craigslist you should be able to find Nova fenderwell headers used off there. You can try zoomthelist.com you can search all of craigslist on there or narrow your search down to areas you want to look in, it's pretty cool. Fenderwell headers for a 55 to 57 chevy car might work too, thats what i'm using in my Falcon with my smallblock Chevy.

[v8nova64]

Originally Posted by hotroddon

Do NOT use Aluminized tubing. It doesn't weld for shit and looks like hell. Use regular mild steel. And you don't use aluminum welding process for it anyway, regular steel wire.
EMT would be even sillier - it is for electrical wiring, not exhaust. J
ust get some mandrel bends from Summit or Jegs, the proper flanges, collectors etc. and go to town.

There was a good article in Car Craft a month or two ago about building a set of Fenderwell headers!

cool i will try and find that article. So with the steel tubing just use the flux core wire or mig wire+gas? I am tryng to figure out how much bends i should order?

[v8nova64]

just called my buddy some guy bought the whole box of tubing and bends last week. Mandrel bends from summit and jegs are pretty pricey. I cant spend 12-20 bucks per bend. I am trying to stay on a budget. I assume i will need about 20 U bends anyone know where i can get them cheap? Hoping to keep this header building project under $100 if possible.
i found 4 into 1 collectors already for $25 each. Probly will go with 1 7/8 tube.

[hotroddon]

1 7/8" ? Do you have a Big Inch, Really Stout small block? Like 450+ HP. If not stick with a max of 1 3/4", it will run better. In fact if it is a fairly stock 350, consider 1 5/8"