Thread: Putting Headers on a '97 Vortec 5.7...

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I've decided to throw some money at my old reliable daily driver...a '97 Chevy Silverado. It has the 5.7L Vortec with about 200,000 miles on it (mostly highway) and it's still going strong. I was thinking doing the obvious first upgrades...cold air kit and headers. It already has a catback system on it, so the headers would complete the free flowing exhaust.

My question is this: Which headers would be a basic bolt-on replacement for the stock exhaust manifold? Shorty headers? I'm looking for a straight up replacement with no modification to the existing exhaust system (in other words, connects to the collector that is stock on my truck without other modification)

I'm looking at Summit Racing for parts, and their headers (and probably everyone else's headers also) come with the gaskets and mounting hardware, so it seems that I can just do a swap...exhaust manifold for header...and be done with it.

I don't have the tools (welder) to modify the exhaust that I already have, so that's why I am looking for a bolt-on replacement...thanks, guys.

I have used Edelbrock headers twice on Vortec motors and they were great! The fit was fantastic and you could install them without raising the motor, etc. However, the header to exhaust connection probably requires welding.....ours did. It is super easy to install the headers and take the truck to the muffler shop for a quick weld job.....

Originally posted by robot
I have used Edelbrock headers twice on Vortec motors and they were great! The fit was fantastic and you could install them without raising the motor, etc. However, the header to exhaust connection probably requires welding.....ours did. It is super easy to install the headers and take the truck to the muffler shop for a quick weld job.....

Awesome. I was looking into the Edelbrock headers already. That's great news!

Approximately how much would a weld job cost at a local muffler shop (I know prices vary...)?

As I remember, the 97 has pre-cats and use two oxygen sensors on each side (total of four). I dont remember if the Edelbrock headers had bungs for the front sensors or not.....I think the bungs were in the pipes that came with the headers......you might lookup your part number on the Edelbrock web site and then call them for info.....it's been more than a year ago so the detail is hazy.

Originally posted by robot
As I remember, the 97 has pre-cats and use two oxygen sensors on each side (total of four). I dont remember if the Edelbrock headers had bungs for the front sensors or not.....I think the bungs were in the pipes that came with the headers......you might lookup your part number on the Edelbrock web site and then call them for info.....it's been more than a year ago so the detail is hazy.

Yep...2 cats and 4 O2 sensors, so I'll do some research about the bungs.

Thanks for your help guys...

I was looking through my last Summit catalog, and someone asked about headers for a 4.3L motor. The reply back pointed to these headers as a direct replacement for the factory manifolds. Here is Summit's listing for the steel ones. Not a bad price, I guess...