Hi all-

I am getting ready to put dual side exhaust on my 84 camino and would like to know your suggestions for headers on a 305. The main thing that I really want is ease of installation (no modifications) and durability. They dont have to be the best at what they do (anything is better than the manifolds) and it is only a 305, I am not expecting too much HP gain. But I am gonna get the crossmember notched, what kind of place would be able to do this, I dont know if the muffler shop would be able to. Thanks for your suggestions

-Luke

I'm sure almost all muffler shops would have the ability to do this, the problem is convincing the owner to do it. Some may feel that they are opening up themselves to a liability suit should the crossmember fail and very possibly cause extensive damage to your Elky. Take a chance though, visit some and explain what you want done...you may find one that will make the modifcation for you...especially if you have them install the exhaust system. You could also try welding shops. It might also help if you could show a pic of what you want done, you might find a pic here in one of the forums if you look.

Yeah this weekend I will ask around at the shops. The reason, that I forgot to mention, was that I am going to put the headers on myself and either have it towed (by a friend) or just drive it up there with open headers hehe. I dont think they will have a problemworking on the car if I did the work right?

still need header suggestions! thanks!

-Luke

Here's a thread from another site that talks a little about headers for a 305 that you might want to read.

Read me (http://hotrodders.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27274&highlight=header+305)

You probably will have to mount the headers yourself. My local muffler shop said they wouldn't do headers because of the liability if something went wrong on the head.

I personally just stuck a set of Hedman headers on my '77. Luckily I had the engine out and put them in along with the engine.

As far as putting them in; if you don't have access to a lift then find yourself some good tall jackstands and jack that bad boy up as high as you can get it. You'll need the room to wrangle the headers in, since most of them go in from the bottom.

While you're playing around under there, you might consider a heat shield for your starter to help combat the header heat. A set of spark plug wire looms is probably a necessity to keep your wires off the headers and from melting them.

In regards to your cross member, the muffler shop may or may not notch it for you. You might be able to convince them to do so if you get them to tack an additional piece of flatbar or plate across the tob of the crossmember to help take up the stress. It really just depends on the shop. Don't go to a big chain, go to your local small shop; preferably one that sponsors or races a car at the local track. Those guys are usually more likely to understand your situation and less fearful of litigation.

Hope some of that helps.

if you want a pic of a notched crossmember you may want to check with CHVYPWR he had one for sale for awhile and had a pic of it, so he might still have the pic to use for a reference.

I got a set of Dynomax headers on my 80 and on my 76 for that matter, I like em and the non coated ones are pretty close to all the rest in prices.

For the Crossmember I got one from G-Force Crossmembers. They make one that will bolt right down with no problems and it is the strongest crossmember I've ever seen. http://www.geocities.com/gforcejohn/g.htm

This is the best pic I have of the crossmember and a header is lying on the ground so you can sort of see both.
http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elkypete/images/80_elky_front.jpg