Okay so I've read countless articles on header fitment on this site and I'm still absolutely lost. I will try to get to the point. What do I have to do to fit Long tube headers on a column shift, power steering 302. I want to keep the column shifter. I've read about issues requiring linkage modification. Would a kit from lokar solve this problem? As for the pitman arm messing with turning radius, how do I avoid this? I do not want to use the Doug thorleys. In conclusion: I want long tube headers, column shift, and my power steering. How do I achieve this? I'm looking for a list of obstacles and their solutions.
If you want "off the shelf" long tube headers. 1. You will need a power steering drop down bracket in order to keep the power steering. No biggie 2. To keep the column shifter, you will need to customize some type of bracketry/cable/linkage, etc. Not an impossible task, but a little harder than the putting on a drop bracket for the power steering. Others have done it and I am sure they can chime in with some advice. That should do it for you. Otherwise, to keep everything "factory" as it is now, a custom set of long tube headers would need to be custom made.
thanks craig!! ok so i understand the power steering drop down bracket. hopefully someone who has done the column shift linkage modification will post something. have you done anything like that or have any knowledge of the lokar kit? is the pitman arm a problem on cars with powersteering?
I thought the pitman arm does cause a slight kink at full lock to one side but can't remember. Some of us do have the steering box touching the header though.. I clearenced my box a little and put a dimple in the tube on mine.
this is my first time reading of any header fitment issues involving the slave cylinder. how do i solve that issue? does the column shift and powersteering affect that?
How do you solve it? The drop bracket I described. It drops the slave cylinder down where it attaches to the frame of the car. Only Power steering cars have a slave cylinder. So WHY are you wanting long tube headers? (And be specific)
oh ok i misunderstood. so the power steering drop down bracket is the same as the slave cylinder drop down bracket? these are the headers im looking at: http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker/520/6901/10002/-1 i want the low to mid range power increase that you get from regular headers as opposed to what youll get from the shorties. also i dont want to fork over the cash for those doug thorleys that people on here like for what youll get out of them. id rather have stock exhaust manifolds instead of 500 dollar shorties.
Yes....one in the same So are you going to be drag racing this car? I think there are some disadvantages to long tube headers you need to consider as well...some of which are the problems you are running into.
The pitman arm will dimple the header but it's not a big deal. I hardly notice any turning radius difference. I've ran long tubes on my car for 15 years (6901's) and like them. As for column shift I'd convert it to cable like some of the Grenada's used.
