1981 firebird engine swap fitment problems with a he headers

[Jord21]

I have a 81 firebird formula that was an old drag car with lots of upgrades but I won’t go into that right now. It had a 454 in it before I bought it but they took it out so I have another 454 in since it was already set up for it but my problem is the headers I have bind and won’t let motor go in unless I take them off. Does anyone know what headers I need to use? 

[Frosty]

I would think that any header for a BBC for a 2nd-gen Camaro or 68-72 Chevelle would fit your application. Also you can clearance your headers somewhat. I say that assuming that the motor mounts for the BBC were put in the correct place to begin with.

 

[Jord21]

Perfect thank you for your input 

[64 kiwi boni]

Jordon, i would look for a set of shorty headers, and you certainly cant fit the 454 with them on, you will need to drop the motor in then install your hearders .

i went through 3 sets of long headers on my 72 camaro and was having ground clearance issues ( to the point my mates where calling me sparky, as i was always bottoming them out!! )

now i have the shortys on, i have no issues with fitment and ground clearance and i am running 2 1/2 inch x pipe system off them  ! 👍

[Jord21]

I don’t know if it’s true but I heard shortys don’t make as much power and air flow as long tube.but if that’s the only ones that fit I got to do it lol 

[Frosty]

An episode of Engine Masters on Motortrend benchmarks stock exhaust manifolds between midlength and long tube headers. It is episode #15 of Engine Masters. You might be able to find it on YouTube.

[Jord21]

Thanks I’ll go watch it

[64 kiwi boni]

Yeah I don’t think for Street, long tubes are justified 

What does count is cubic inches !!! 

[Frosty]

No replacement for displacement!