Thread: Cut up a brand new set of headers last night

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I got my new set of Sanderson headers for the LS1 project last week. They almost fit. Passenger side is fine, driver's side will need some surgery to fit around the steering box. So last night my friend Scott and I took a hack saw and die grinder to them and cut the #1 pipe off. Today I called Sanderson and ordered a U-bend and they also offered to toss in some other scrap pieces to help us get it right. Scott is an excellent welder and has done this before so I am confident it will come out right. After we have it all fitted they are going back to Sanderson to be ceramic coated.

I am having a bunch of fun with this. Most of the hot rods I have done before have been pretty much bolt parts together and not a lot of fabrication. I did put a small block into a Vega, but that was with a kit and was not all that hard, even though I did it over in Germany. This has had some real excitement to it as I have been cutting up a well finished car to make it better, kinda gets the adrenilin pumping! Hope I am not getting too fearless.

Just had to share my excitement. Happy New Year!

Pat

Pat Sounds like your having fun with your car. Hope the Headers work out for you OK. You have a Good NewYears.

That drives the wife CRAZY when I cut up new and expensive parts. I tell her that's what happens when you build custom stuff. If I only was building a 32 Ford instead of a 31 things would be easier! Damn, oh well, then it wouldn't be any fun if it was just buy and install without thought! It's more fun to sit there and anylize (spelling?) a part and refab it with that god given brain of mine. Oh crap I'm ramblin'...

Sounds like fun to me Pat!!! I suppose the narrowed sub on the front makes everything a bit tight??? From the pics it's going to be a nice installation .

You go Pat!! A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!

My non-car loving friends couldn't understand cutting the frame on a brand new truck when I lowered it either. They just don't know what they're missing!

Sounds perfectly normal to me Bob!!!! Tell me though, how is it you have non car-loving friends???? I try to talk to some of them people occasionally, but they just seen really strange to me......

Originally posted by Dave Severson
Sounds perfectly normal to me Bob!!!! Tell me though, how is it you have non car-loving friends???? I try to talk to some of them people occasionally, but they just seen really strange to me......

That's been my experience also Dave, if they aren't car people, it's sorta like trying to talk to someone from another planet.

Originally posted by techinspector1
That's been my experience also Dave, if they aren't car people, it's sorta like trying to talk to someone from another planet.

they just may be

I understand what you mean I have the same problem they just dont understand. Sometimes it feels like I'm speaking a completely different language to them. I have been working on cars ever since I was big enough to sit up. My dad started me out sitting on the breather when he was working on them. Working on cars is in my blood. Shoot, I cut my teeth on wrenches. But hey if it wasn't for us mechanics everyone would be walking. Well if this gas keeps going up I think more people will be finding alternate modes of transportation. Car manufacturer keep making the suvs and everything bigger consuming more gasoline and we are in a crisis in the situation of oil, I don't get it.

Loren

Thanks Tech, Pat, and Loren. Now I now it isn't just me!!!!! Another thing I've noticed in the last 10 years or so is that as the price of new cars keeps going up, more and more people are looking at Hot Rods as a viable alternative to driving just another factory built cookie cutter. Seems to be making our sport even bigger!!!! Anyone else see this happening, or am I just hallucinating again?????

Pat, can you post pics of your finish results? I've been looking at the Sanderson headers myself and wondered how they would work with my '64. Also, are you using the stock Stude steering or something else?

Tom,

You can see what I am doing with them in my project Journal here:

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jour...ge=1&reverse=1

Sanderson has been good to work with. They have a several different LS1 headers, the ones I got are the CCLS1 model. They were the tightest to the block with the collecter the farthest back. You can call them at 800 669-2430 to order a catalog. I have found the lady who answers the phone to be a little grumpy, maybe I caught her on bad days.

If you remember, I have a narrowed Nova subframe in mine, so your needs are probably different. My biggest issue is the steering box. I probably should have taken this opportuity to switch to R&P, but there are limits to my budget.

Pat

Thanks Pat,

I'll definite keep them in mind. I am using R & P, but I still have concerns about getting the steering linkage to clear the front pipes. I was unaware Sanderson sold more than one set of headers so I'll definitely call them when I get to that point.