Another Header question...

[Maintenanceman]

I did a search and couldnt quite come up with the information I need. Ive got a 1985 k20 Silverado with a manual 4 speed transmission. I know you have get get specific headers for a 4x4 truck because of the front drive shaft on the pass. side but what about the slave cylinder for the clutch on the drivers side. Will it hit? the reason i ask is because Ive noticed some headers that I am looking at say 'some clutch linkage modification required' What modifications would I have to do. Also, will the heat from the headers cause a problem?

My next question. Shorties vs Longtubes? My last truck was a 2003 Silverado SS and when I put headers on it, I put longtubes on it SIMPLY because everyone told me that shortie headers would only give me sound and no real gains. Now i know that anything flows better than the stock manifold but I was just wondering what the difference in gains would be?

TIA,
Ben

[oldwhity]

Hey Ben, I don't really have an answer to your ?'s but, I'm running a set of Flowtech longtubes on my 81 K20 w/ 4sp. The only problem I had was that a wire off the starter solenoid ended up grounding itself out on the collector. Minor problem and an easy fix. No problems with the clutch linkage, heat or obstructions. Hope this aids in your decision.


Rob

[85MudMonster]

I wanna jump in here with a questions about headers as well. Will the old style Tri-Y's that look like this:

fit on a 4X4, I've taken a few measurements and the seem like they should clear, everything but the starter, which can be remedied by buying one of those mini style starters, but I'm just wondering if anyone else is running a set like this on these trucks?

[hilton850]

I think the clutch linkage interference they are talking about is for a manual clutch....not the hydraulic clutch like you have.  You could always ask whatever manufacturer you decide to go with too. 

From what I've seen on dyno charts, the long tubes do offer slight advantages.  They seem to make a little more low end and mid range torque...long tube headers may or may not be worth it depending on what your goal is.  I like the fact that you have less clearance issues with the short tube headers but some long tube headers fit pretty good on these trucks too.  Cost between the two is similar...I have long tubes on my truck and don't plan to change.  If I were working on a newer truck, I'd be more likely to use the short tubes because of the clearance benefits.

85MudMonster, it's a small issue but those headers are considered "4 into 1" headers.   Tri-Y headers look like this: http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/77A2787A2302909.aspx

I had a set that looked like those...not sure if they were the same or not, but the set that I had hit the starter too so I never used them and just spent the $99 to get some that fit right.  I also think you may get into exhaust routing issues getting around the transfer case with those...it would have been a really sharp turn to get around the transfer case if I remember right...may have been close to the front driveshaft too....it was a long time ago so I don't remember all the details.  best you can do is try them and see what they look like on the truck.

[Maintenanceman]

Thanks!

[85MudMonster]

85MudMonster, it's a small issue but those headers are considered "4 into 1" headers.   Tri-Y headers look like this: http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/77A2787A2302909.aspx

I had a set that looked like those...not sure if they were the same or not, but the set that I had hit the starter too so I never used them and just spent the $99 to get some that fit right.  I also think you may get into exhaust routing issues getting around the transfer case with those...it would have been a really sharp turn to get around the transfer case if I remember right...may have been close to the front driveshaft too....it was a long time ago so I don't remember all the details.  best you can do is try them and see what they look like on the truck.

Yeah, I realize that. I don't know where my head was on that one....