Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

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simonb33
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Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 4:34 pm

Hi I wonder if anyone can tell me what headers I would need for my second gen its got a 455 engine in it im currently having the complete exhaust custom made in stainless but its easier to buy headers then get them to make the headers . does anyone know what ones will fit my engine and car ?

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 5:19 pm

there are many to fit your engine and car. All Pontiac engines share the same headers but some chassis require different bends. Hedman, Hooker etc but stick away from flowtech as they are cheap and nasty.

Usually its better to have the headers on the car and have the exhaust made to fit the car. I dont see how somebody could make an exhaust for a car without having it there unless they have patterns or an old system to copy.


if this is not an option, have the header back pipes made extra long so they can be cut down to fit once you get the system lined up under the car.
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by thirdgen » Thu Jul 17, 2014 5:38 pm

why not buy a system headers back thats built to fit the car

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:04 pm

the guy who makes the exhausts has the car he is making it on the car but said its easier to buy headers he will mate the exhaust up to the new headers when I find some thank you

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:05 pm

are the 400 6.6 headers the same and would any year second gen headers fit the Pontiac engine

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:17 pm

anyone know if these will fit my engine and car ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBX-Racing-Sp ... 233d540c2a

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:17 pm

No they won't . Why are you not looking for trans am headers they are abundant.
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:19 pm

All Pontiac firebird trans am headers are the same for all years
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:23 pm

I have edited my first post as I said all Pontiac engines share the same headers but I forgot to say that different models have different chassis designs and so you have to get specific ones for the model. All 2nd gens share the same is what I meant from 286- 455

If the engine was on a stand out the car then all headers do fit as the heads and flanges (apart from round port) share the same bolt pattern and flange
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:30 pm

ahh ok so I can get any second gen header for the big block Pontiac engine and they will fit ?

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:35 pm

Yes. There is no big block Pontiac all blocks are the same in physical size from the smallest V8 to the largest 455. Differences are internal capacity and slight internal casting differences.
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 6:54 pm

ok thank you sorry for keep asking questions I just don't know a lot about these engines and parts availability im trying to find some headers in the uk

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:04 pm

no problem!

Just a bit of info then which im sure others might expand on...

Almost all Pontiac V8s shared the same block size apart from the 301 engines which had a shorter deck height (from centre of the crankshaft to the top of the deck where the head bolts on) other than this those blocks where also the same size.

Therefore, the Pontiac engines never had a small block and big block like chevrolet and others. The 301s were known as short deck engines, but never small block.

even with this in mind, they all shared basic things which means headers would fit all blocks. the difficulties arise from the differences in engine bays and suspension arrangements from one model to another with mixing and matching headers. i do know of people who have fitted GTO headers into second gens but the tubes have had to be dented and modified to get them to fit in the "hole"

some headers made for the second gen still dont fit right and have to be dented etc such as the flowtechs. Id recommend Hedman simply because i fitted them on mine and they went in a dream fitment wise. No denting, no touching chassis/frame and went in very easily.
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:05 pm

im also moving this topic into exhaust where it will be better suited!
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:36 pm

ok thank you do you know any supplier for headman stainless headers in uk ?

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by NOODLES » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:47 pm

arnt there "D" port and "O" port fitting? check your outlet on the heads.
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:51 pm

ooh I will will have to check that lol

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by SUPERCHARGEDGTA » Thu Jul 17, 2014 8:50 pm

give Robin a call at autopontiac, he came up with a great price for headers for my car, davids and j's cars
and you know they will be right :thumb:

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:40 am

NOODLES wrote:arnt there "D" port and "O" port fitting? check your outlet on the heads.
Yes there are round port and D port heads

Round port is rare
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:14 pm

thanks guys I will try robin

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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by bhm1712 » Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:09 pm

Are you keeping the 2nd gen then? I see it's got bids on eBay ?
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Re: Headers Help for 455 engine in second gen

Post by simonb33 » Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:54 pm

hi sorry for the late reply mate I didn't see your reply yes I am keeping my second gen and still doing trigger I acquired a 77 second gen and I am going to sort mine out

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