What exhaust manifolds to use

[transman]

Hello everyone! New to this site, I am getting ready to put a TBI 350 into my 85 4X4 blazer and I am rounding up parts and info. I\'ve never done a v8 conversion to a s-10 but i\'m not new to turning wrenches. I\'ve worked at chev dealer for 10 years. Anyway I need to know what type of manifolds to use for good clearance, I dont want headers. Any idea\'s?? Thanks alot Brian

[Mike]

i believe the early 80\'s camaro manifolds are recommended.

[IceQueen]

80\'s Cutlas supreme manifolds are what I use you can have the machine shop port and open them up for you. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[bohn333]

80\'s chevy powered cutl, monte carlo, impala or camaro will work.

[wild85]

The 80\'s caprice

[whiner3]

any of the ones listed are the same manifolds, just make sure it\'s a 2 flange colector on the drivers side for steering shaft/manifold clearance

[PursuitS10]

On 2003-02-01 16:45, KLRS10 wrote:

any of the ones listed are the same manifolds, just make sure it\'s a 2 flange colector on the drivers side for steering shaft/manifold clearance





The ones i used are off of a \'81 El Camino.KLR is right about the 2 bolt flange being better for clearance but the problem is at the frame not the steering shaft.

[JayDee]

You didn\'t mention what year heads you are using. If they are centerbolt valve cover vintage you have to use use the 87 up manifolds. The exhaust ports a .1\" lower on the 87 up heads. If you use 86 or earlier manifolds the rubber valve cover gaskets can get burned because the older manifolds will sit too low. In fact they might even touch the valve covers. One newer manifold I haven\'t used but would like to try is the 88-94 4x4 small block pickup manifolds. The left one points back at about a 45 degree angle instead of straight down. I appears as though it would be a lot easier to fabricate the exhaust pipes. You\'d have to try one. In fact if it clears the frame you might be able to use the factory y pipe. After all the engine is the same and there isn\'t anything under a 4x4 to get in the way. There is also an after market y pipe for those trucks that is a couple inches shorter vertically for more ground clearance. You can toss that intermediate crossmember unless you plan to do some off roading. The 94 up 4x4\'s don\'t even have it. You\'d have to try one. I tried the new vortec left manifold which is very similiar and the exhaust exited directly above the frame so they are out of the question. One of our local muffler shops uses the late 80-early 90\'s caprice manifolds and cuts them just below the o2 sensor. He removes a small wedge

and rewelds the manifold so that is angled back where he wants it. He tells me it is easy to cut with a Sawzall and easy to weld with a stick welder using cast iron rods. Hope this helps. I agree about the headers-i am currently running them on my 94 TPI 305 4x4 and the radiant cabin heat in the summer is terrible. You don\'t even want to think about changing #5 & 7 plugs (I\'ve got working a/c). You can\'t see \'em or touch \'em. I made a plug wrench by grinding flat sides on a 5/8 - 1/2\" drive socket. A regular 3/8 drive plug socket is too long. I even tried cutting a whole in the bottom of the inner fender. Bottom line is headers and a/c don\'t work fer s**t. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

[PursuitS10]

http://www.bobnewhart.com/orangekitty/v8chevys10/CNXT0064.JPG

I\'ve ran that setup on a daily driver for 5 years and have never had any problems.



I forgot to mention if you use that type of manifold and have the 6 bold manifold/head flange you\'ll have to have an adapter on the passengers side for the back manifold bolt.The adapter is $25 on www.goodson.com



Also those manifolds were used on passenger side dipstick blocks so if you have a drivers side dipstick block the manifold outlet is right over the dip stick hole so you\'ll have to mash the dipstick tube flat and bend it up against the head or get a oil pan of of a late \'70s 305 A-body car because they have the dipstick hole in the pan rather than in the block.



\'82 S10 1.9->305->388ci

\'82 S10 Tahoe 2.8 5 speed

[Ghost]

I think an early model 305 exhaust manifold is mounted at a little different angle and will give you the clearance for the steering shaft http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif

[PursuitS10]

On 2003-03-04 00:22, Ghost wrote:

I think an early model 305 exhaust manifold is mounted at a little different angle and will give you the clearance for the steering shaft http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif



No,you have to move the steering column over no matter which ones are used.

[mommasboy]

Is there a specific reason why you dont want headers?



Sounds like ordering a set of headers for the swap would be easier than trying to find the right manifold in a junk yard. Who knows.

[transman]

Yes because header\'s leak and they are a big pain in the rear to put on, they like to burn plug wires. Just doesnt seem worth it to me. I\'m just building a stock 350 with a l88 cam and TB heads so manifolds will flow fine.. I bought some manifolds off ebay that came off a 92 camaro hope they will work.. Thanks

[2low4u]

i used the over the plug maiifolds with 2 bolt flanges i got mine off a buisk regal all g body cars with 305 used these manifolds the inly mod tou have to make is to the manifold grind the tabs of the top or else your valve cover wont go on good luck