Anyone have experience with the smoothie ram horn exhaust manifolds? I think they look really old school. I'll be using them on a SBC in a 31 Model A Coupe. Will I have problems with burning plug wires? Thinking they might look better then hugger headers. Any other problems to consider?
Use them they look better than headers. You won’t burn plug wires as long as you route them correctly
In case you're not familiar with how that routing goes...down the back on each side, then the two front wires on each side go behind the motor mount pad, and up to the plugs. https://www.lategreatchevy.com/full...rt-and-grommet-set-small-block-1958-1961.html is a good way to secure them.
When using the factory Rams Horn exhaust manifolds, I take advantage of the little "web" that sits between the two center runners. I drill a hole through it, use an aftermarket, custom, 4 wire spacer, and use straight end plug boots. Simple and effective, with everything neat and tidy. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Used many sets , not one issue . There are a few different type in OEM configurations . 2 in exhaust , 2 1/2 exhaust , rt curve back , lt curve back , generator mount lt or rt . I have seen aftermarket models , I can not see why they would not be as nice as OEM . To me a street driven car , headers are a PITA x 10 . , not needed . I want to do more things than retightening bolts and replacing gaskets . Hell I have a rattle trap roach Harley if I need something to tighten up things on daily !
Just as Squirrel said, run the front wires behind the motor mount pad. This is how I routed my plug wires.
they were more important in the days before silicone plug wire boots, but Chevy used them for decades...and they don't like spending money they don't have to spend.
Smoothie, are you talking aftermarket manifolds, smoothed oem, what? "Old school", I'm old, not old school though.
Like has been said, if you're gonna use factory style exhaust, factory plug wire routing will work the best. There's a reason the factory did things the way they did. I also like to use the stainless Banana Shields on 1&3 and 2&4 whenever possible. But that's just me though...
Years ago I no longer did headers, but instead went with ram horns. Stock ones had 2" outlets, whle the 340hp Corvettes had 2 1/2" outlets. Check the web for Dorman products who offer the 2 1/2" ones for like $89 each, versus the $200+ you see from other people. I have used these without heat shields for years with no issues. They make some really simple spark plug wire holders that attach to your valve cover screws that work great. Look for them in Chevelle or Impala catalogs.
I want to install the smoothie manifolds on my model a with a 350. Driver side is extremely tight. I am including a picture of a dimension i need to be sure it will fit my application. Can someone provide that? Or are they made to exact size of the OEM manifolds? Thanks
I like the Tru Ram brand, but they are three hundred a pair. The arch raises higher than OEM and are completely smooth.
I've ran into plug clearance problems with repro 2.5" Corvette style rams horns and Vortec heads. I am going to headers to gain clearance, avoid burning boots/wires. I've tried shields and covers, not happy with the results. Your situation may vary, just my .02.
That's the problem. Rams horns don't fit Vortec heads. No one makes a pair that does fit 100%. Huge opening for someone to fill a big need.
+2 on the Tru Rams. They are a kind of new option on the market and don't have that angular, lumpy, gusseted appearance of the older options. So toe-the-traditional-line owners who want every detail just like Fred flintstone did it might not appreciate the look. On the plus side, they have an actual collector and flow like headers so they're not just a pretty face.
I have oem 2.5 early Corvette ram horns on a 1996 L31 Vortec in my 58 Impala. The fit fine. I have not had any problems with clearance or burning boots.
Run the wires like the factory did with ramhorns, pictures are available. 1 and 3 ran down along the oil pan rail to pass the header.
I used 1 ton truck left side on A’s. It kicks in and back to get extra clearance on the steering shaft if needed. Don’t remember the part number. A lot of them cracked from the weight of the exhaust from not being supported. Standard ram horn on right side is okay.
Never liked the look of wires over the valve covers. Look at the info. Shorty provided. You can't go wrong doing it this way. Everything looks very tidy.
I always use rams horns, dont have to worry about the exhaust leaks associated with headers. Heres a routing method.
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