Another 2455 "Header How-To"

[Deja-Bu]

Hey everyone, I've had these pics for awhile but havent gotten around to uploading or posting them. I figured I could shed some more light on how to make the 2455 headers fit. As far as my car, there were two different ways - denting or rerouting. They really didn't fit my car without any work. They interfere with the LCA mounts on both sides, as well as the frame in random spots.

For the first couple of years, we left them dented. This worked fine, but I believe they still interfered enough to keep the header flange from sealing. Here are a couple of pictures of how they were dented to fit:

This past summer I finally got around to rerouting them completely. Using this thread (

how to make Hooker 2455's fit

so while I was installing the T-56 in the Malibu I decided I was tired of the exhaust leaks, road clearance issues with the Hooker 2241's on my BBC. I bought a set of 2455's for the older BBC A-Bodys and made them fit. its a very straight forward deal. Besides a few hammer dimples you only need...

www.maliburacing.com

as guidance, I cut into the headers and welded in new sections on both sides. Here are a couple pics of exactly how I did them:

And then after ceramic coat:

They fit GREAT now, no rubbing whatsoever. I believe 2 "J" bends were all that I needed, and I even ended up having a bit extra.

 

[RatMalibu]

That's odd that you had interference on the drivers side....then again I had already trimmed the lower control arm mounts back a bit from an earlier header escapade

looks good though, I see you flattened tube 6 out a little to keep it from rubbing the frame.....mine just barely touches there too

 

[Deja-Bu]

Thanks! Yeah we flattened tube 6 a little at first, then I had to flatten it more when I rerouted the headers. (i guess because the lower tubes were the interference point back then, once they had clearance the flattened tube 6 interfered.)

And we did grind the drivers side LCA mount for room too but I still had some slight interference. I probably went a little overkill on it, but I wanted to be safe. I have a pic that shows at least a half inch of space between that tube and the frame.

 

[brunz21]

nice job man, looks great. i have the "octopus" ones on mine, but if i ever switch them ill know what to do!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I may be a complete jerk, but it seems to me just getting 2241s may be cheaper & involves a lot less work...

Tommy

 

[Deja-Bu]

Possibly true, I just like how these don't have slip joints and stay between the frame really. I think this was still cheaper actually, all things considered haha.

 

[RatMalibu]

Tommy I spent more hours trying to make slip tubes not leak and driving in a such a manner that I wouldn't drag those expensive swap headers that I did have on the car than the amount of time I spent modifying these

and I currently have less in my coated 2455's than I spent on the uncoated 2241's......I had a modified A-Body header on it before and then decided to "do it the right way" and bought the 2241's....shoulda saved my $$$$

 

[melloelky]

Chad,are you using someone local for coating or are you sending it elsewhere?

 

[Deja-Bu]

I take all of my stuff to Central Connecticut Coatings, they do great work and are pretty quick as well.

 

[melloelky]

thank you sir,i just noticed a place in concord opened up too.