just a thought about H3 headers

[High Five H2]

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/headers/gm_g3_headers_xj_mj.htm

a company in Utah makes LS headers for jeep cherokee conversions. They hug the block and I wonder if that would make for a an easier time getting them to work in an Alpha.

just curious, wondered what the peanut gallery thought

 

[LagunaH1]

I like peanuts :hans:

 

[amrg]

The alpha needs headers!

 

[RamRod]

Maybe someone close by should try it out

 

[cdarveaux]

We don't have headers? ()

 

[RamRod]

We don't have headers? ()

Currently there is no off the shelf solution for the H3(t) Alpha

 

[cdarveaux]

Currently there is no off the shelf solution for the H3(t) Alpha

The Colorado 5.3 has headers

 

[amrg]

The Colorado 5.3 has headers

Yes it does, doug thorley ones. However, they work on non 4x4 models, as the other models have torsion bars which interfere with the header. I read that one guy made it fit on a colorado with torsion bars, he had to heat one of the pipes and bend it to clear somethin and worked great.
The oem header part # is the same for the 5.3 colorado and alpha too, but no one tried to see....

 

[High Five H2]

they're made by doug thorley. maybe i'll do the colorado headers after I do a SAS :-/ I hear they hit the torsion bar on 4wd models, but that if you put a dent in the header then it will clear it. also, hedman has a line of headers (hedders???) specifically for engine swaps. they make some for ls swaps into s10's. i wonder if that would work.....

just out of curiosity, how do long tube headers hold up under off roading conditions? i would think that they're weaker than manifolds, but i am not an expert.

 

[High Five H2]

when i was doing research about the alpha, i read that they made modifications to the 5.3 so that it would fit in the engine bay. as far as I know, those mods are to make the crank slightly shorter and to bend the manifolds for the narrower frame. I compared some pictures and the narrower manifolds were the only difference that I could see, everything else was exactly the same. I don't know if it's possible to get some truck manifolds and bend them, but that's something else to consider.

i was even thinking about having a custom set of long tubes built, but I bet that's $$$$$

 

[High Five H2]

there are other long tube headers made by over the top performance and clear image that fit 4wd models. i dunno what differences there are between an H3 and a 4wd colorado.

also, OTTP has an awful reputation for just about everything... so... there's that.

 

[amrg]

Well, Im surprised why none have done any for the alpha. Not enuff interest?

 

[High Five H2]

i dunno, maybe because it's more common to modify the compact trucks for speed. that's my guess. there are plenty of people like me who want to do full exhaust instead of just a cat-back.

 

[SolidusJ]

:giggle:

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

why no headers for Alpha
1) the stock, cast manifolds are not the typical log manifold of olden days - thus, they may not increase power (and if they don't, why bother)
2) that is one narrow b**ch between the frame rails and the motor
3) there are easier ways of making more power (like get that stupid kink out of the cross-over)
4) most people who own Alphas feel they have plenty of power to break axles; so why get more hp? I race cars, I've yet to find in my wheeling where more hp would make any positive difference - I still have to wait for the Jeeps, all more hp would do is make me wait longer
5) IMO - the best hp mod for an alpha is a 6.2 LS.... though, when I put a 6.2 in mine, I may bite the bullet and make headers
6) who was the brain trust that made the inner fenders non-removable? making headers is not easy (I know by experience), it's made doubly difficult when you can't take the inner fenders off to do the fitting

not a complete list - but a "why not"

The motor itself was taken from the avalanche, but the manifolds are H3 Alpha only (maybe colorado, don't know).

 

[High Five H2]

6.2 swap is on my list too, mostly because I want a 6 speed tranny. hey if you make headers, make me a set i'll mow your yard for a year straight.

the manifolds are the same for the colorado.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

6.2 swap is on my list too, mostly because I want a 6 speed tranny. hey if you make headers, make me a set i'll mow your yard for a year straight.

the manifolds are the same for the colorado.

it's not an if, but a when - problem is there is no driving force to get me to do them now because the H3 runs, drives, and I have other vehicles that don't. With that part said, I build custom headers and for fully custom they cost between $1500 and $2000.... fortunately, I think I can make the Avalanche headers work - but still, they would be ~750 to do.... and all I need is the time to do it and a guinea pig... errr... H3