Classics65

I own and have been slowing building a 65 starfire into a decent sleeper car with a swapped 455 w30 coded block etc. I've heard that headers are not possible for this car due to the steering box and suspension. I've been researching for a while, but searching this subject is proving difficult. Though it's not too big of a deal to run the stock manifolds, it would be nice to have proformance headers weather long tube or shorty's. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance, Zach.

wr1970

You very well may be looking at custom built headers. I would think shorty headers work but have no ideal if it could work. I doubt long tubes will work i am not aware of any that do. Where are you located.Maybe someone close can help you solve this problem.Good luck with your project. Oh how about a picture?

therobski

Strictly for a performance gain, there are places that will do some port work on your stock exhaust manifolds. I think some of the guys that run 86-87 Buick GN's have this done, also keeping the stock look

Classics65

That might've already been done when the porting was done on the heads, but I don't think it was. I'll double check the build sheet.

Classics65

I was thinking shorties aswell well but I don't see a whole lot of them made for olds big blocks
Trying to get some pics up, but they don't want to upload from my phone. Later tonight hopefully I'll be able to post some

Classics65

There it is on the dyno. 300whp 400wtq on iron heads and small cam tuned on 100LL

therobski

Classic65, I'm talking about port matching your exhaust manifolds, not the heads...Nice Starfire..

Classics65

Yea I know. I meant to say that they might have done that to the manifolds when they ported the heads. The guy who first built it wanted headers but couldn't find any, so maybe they ported the manifolds when they did the rest of the build. I'd have to check the build sheets

therobski

I almost did that to some W-Z exhaust manifolds I had for my 64 F-85 pro-touring build but went with headers.

Classics65

How's the proformance compared to the stock porting?

steverw

I think you can also send your manifolds for ceramic coating on the inside after their port matched. Not sure how much it helps but i have read of some guys doing this, instead of headers. Jethot coatings?

Bernhard

Has anyone tried to fit headers to a 65 starfire?
What are your fabrication skills like?

65Fire

has anyone come up with some headers for a 65 Starfire? I'm searching and not finding any good answers.

wr1970

You may need custom as i posted before in this thread.What engine are you using? Can you show good detailed pictures? If you do find someone to make custom headers they will not be cheap. You need to keep that in mind if it is worth it to you. My ARH headers for a 1970 442 were $1000. Now you can buy cheaper headers for my car. I was willing to pay that amount. Some guys will not.

jcdynamic88

seanmiller063 on here customized a set of headers from a 71 delta,finished product looked real nice.i'm sure it was a lot of work,a very ambitious young man.my hat is off to him,you should be able to find his thread.

joe_padavano

That's because they don't exist. The 1965-1970 Olds full size cars are not exactly popular as hot rods, so there is no market to justify offering this product. The rear steering and resulting steering box location make header fitment EXTREMELY difficult in these cars anyway.

therobski

I have no idea where they get this done, but the Buick GN guys have their stock manifolds ported for extra power gains for those Bad Boy V-6's. Once upon a time I had a real nice pair of W-Z's I was going to have done for the 64 F85 build but went with headers.

joe_padavano

I don't know how much that will help on the 65-70 exhaust manifolds. First, you MUST use the repro driver's side manifold for dual exhaust to clear the steering box and linkage. This and the stock passenger side manifold are both open log designs, so there really isn't any "porting" to be done. Your W/Z manifolds are individual runner designs that do benefit from porting.

lemoldsnut

I have a set of the original 425 Starfire factory dual exhaust manifolds if someone is looking for those.

Direct email lemoldsnut@aol.com

65Fire

thanks for the replies. it's a tight twisted route that the stock manifold is cast for. sounds like customs or stock iron. If I ever do the heads, I'll have to pay attention to the ports. It is almost time for a new exhaust system so probably just use the originals.

Charlie Jones

You might try this company.
https://www.castheads.com/manifolds-...ust-manifolds/
They make " cheater " exhaust manifolds for the stock car boys , that have class rules that specify stock manifolds . They might do Olds manifolds . IDK.
Come and join the " Darksiders " on this thread :
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html

Kennybill

There is a 1969 Delta that was at the Miller Oldsmobile meet that has custom made 4 tube headers. He had them wrapped with heat protection so I couldn't get a good picture. You have the S drivers side manifold. That's as good as it gets from the factory. My Turquoise 98 has Toronado manifolds. Drivers side is cut, rotated and ni-welded. A little grinding was needed to make it not hit the steering box. Jmo but I think it flows better than the S manifold. It's really a smooth transition on the inside. At the time the S manifold was hard to come bytoroexhaustandshifter003-1.jpg toroexhaustandshifter016.jpg

joe_padavano

Just an FYI that the factory driver's side manifold for the dual exhaust configuration is shaped not just to clear the steering box, but also to clear the clutch equalizer shaft for manual trans cars. I realize this is a rarity in the 65-70 full size cars, but it WAS a factory option.