Would putting shorty headers and dual exhaust on my 76' 350 nova make it sound a lot louder to the point where it would be hard to have a convo in my car while on the freeway? My dad keeps telling me that its going to be too loud with headers on, is he just trying to scare me or is it true? Right now my car isnt "very" loud, I mean you can hear it coming but it has a nice "bom bom bom" sound, but I want headers so it will perform better.
2007-09-15 20:29:17 · 13 answers · asked by Tami A 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
a little louder, but smoother sound and better gas mileage too!
Hedman are good ones...
2007-09-15 20:55:37 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I own a shop, and have built race engines, and hot-rods for years. It has been my experience that your dad is correct. They do make it louder, but I wouldn't say it would be so loud you can't talk in the vehicle. I'll bet your dad is concerned with them leaking, and many cheap sets will in fact do this. Unless you install a complete exhaust system, the headers won't make much difference in power. The short tube headers don't make as much power as the long collector type do. Pay attention to the thickness of the flange that bolts to the engine. If its too thin (cheap headers) they will warp, and you can't keep gaskets in them long at all. Also; the portion that bolts to the exhaust uses a gasket, but there are some that don't use a gasket there, and use a flange to seal off. These are best, as they don't require replacing the gasket every few months. My advice to you is this; If you are head strong about the headers, then consider doing the complete exhaust system with a 2 1/2 or 3" Flowmaster Kit. Headers aren't very good unless you can get the exhaust out the back of the vehicle too. One other thing; It is well worth it to purchase a set of locking type bolts that bolt the headers to the heads, and this way you won't have to torque the bolts every two weeks or so.
Glad to help out, Good luck!!!
2007-09-16 02:24:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
as you know you are dealing with Siamese ports and require a lot of maint. headers are not loud,the mufflers are. try to find a set of center dump cast iron manifolds,and go with a good set of mufflers(visit you local speed shop) do your own research. also don't try to stuff the exhaust down thru a small of pipe,3" is nice,gives you a good mellow sound, make it a sleeper not a bragger. the proof is in the pudding,not the noise. also look at the breather system on it and then check out good air filters. do you have a good cam? how far do you want to go with this car? Oh by the way: listen to your Dad he did'nt get where he is from being stupid.
2007-09-16 16:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would go with Hooker Headers. You can get them out of Summit for around $150. Here is a set that would be good for your car. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=HOK%2D2451HKR&N=700+4294923429+4294839039+4294918680+4294908216+4294907681+4294925062+4294840140+115&autoview=sku
I have hade headers on just about everything I have ever driven and never had any of them leak, the secret is in the gaskets that you use.
2007-09-16 12:17:04 · answer #4 · answered by Scott E 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they will be a little louder not to much cast iron is better for sound control besides headers don't last but maybe 5 years if you want a little more performance try getting a stall converter around 2000 for a stock engine if you put a bigger camshaft expect to have a vacuum canister because the overlap will decrease vacuum needed for power brakes
2007-09-16 06:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by unitedstatesofsocialistrepublic 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Headers by themselves are not loud. There is a slight increase in noise because of them but it's not loud by any means. Actually it gives the car a nice healthy rumble. The mufflers are the culprit when it comes to noise.
2007-09-16 00:15:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its not the headers that make noise, its the mufflers or lack of that follow them. Headers are notorious for leaking and require constant maintenance, compared to cast iron manifolds. Although if you re-jet your fuel system to match you may gain a small increase in gas mileage to go with some extra horse power.
2007-09-15 21:40:23 · answer #7 · answered by austin j 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mufflers are your main noise suppressor, if its performance your after a camshaft is your best option. They allow the engine to breath better, bring out the "beast" in it. They`re cheap, around $130 much, less than your going to spend for headers and excecories. Look up Edelbrock they have tech support and will tell you just what you need for your application.
2007-09-16 02:33:53 · answer #8 · answered by george b 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The car will be just a little louder... Some price checking and the parts studs bollts-- gaskets and shorty Will be around $225... Get Stainless steel -- ok .. Probable $200 for installation labor...
2007-09-16 02:38:11 · answer #9 · answered by Gerald 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
stock 350 4 bbl
dual exhaust is sufficient
no need for headers on a stock motor
change your differential to a 3.73
now thats better than headers
2007-09-15 20:35:25 · answer #10 · answered by JavaScript_Junkie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, they wont be that loud, only if you had the headers and nothing else, no exhaust from the headers on, then it would be that loud.... I have had headers on a few cars and they are only as loud as the mufflers you use....
2007-09-16 11:39:43 · answer #11 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋