I installed hedman 1 5/8 X 3.00 Elite headers on my truck. The engine is currwently a stock GM Target 350, topped with the 72 intake and Q-Jet. I like the build and quality of the Elite headers ingeneral (have them on the BB in the 65 Malibu), but I missed a foot note cautioning against clutch bar interference on some models; apparently my truck is one of them. The muffler shop was able to cut and reposition the offending pipe for me. I installed a Jegs universal 3.00" X pipe assembly($89, the 2.5" kit is $75), and had a local shop install 3.00 inch tail pipes and Magnaflow large case mufflers.

My truck had a hole in the driverside exhaust manifold, which prompted the swap to the headers. The truck is surprisingly quiet, especially considering the 3.00" pipes I used. The throttle response is definitely better, and the exhaust is barely audible at freeway speed. I'm very happy with the swap, and don't think the 3.00" pipes are hurting anything.

The header install on the 62 Vette was relatively painless. I installed a set of used, unknown brand 1 5/8 X 3.00" headers. The car is running a stock 82 305, with a Performer intake and Q-Jet and a TH350, until I finish the stroker I'm building out of the SJ 327.

After being quoted some insane prices ($650 - $1250+ in the L.A. Valley area) for a compression-bent aluminized exhaust, I contacted Bob's Muffler in Bakersfield. www.bobsmuffler.com They installed a 2 1/2" mandrel bent exhaust, with magnafolw mufflers. I couldn't fit an H or an X pipe on the car. The car is quieter than the old 2.00" compression-bent system. The idle is smoother and the car seems to pull harder on the freeway and at the higher RPM ranges. The 2.5" exhaust might be a bit much for the current 305, but should work nicely after the engine swap.

For the CA guys, I was very pleased with the guys at Bob's Muffler, and the prices for mandrel bent stainless steel were much lower than some of the local shops were quoting me for compression bent pipes. If you go to Bob's, you will need an appointment and plan on spending all day there. I think Bob's is a great choice for vehicles that don't have an out of the box mandrel-bent kit available. However, if your car has a mandrel-bent kit made for it, I would probably recommend going that route.

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After being quoted some insane prices ($650 - $1250+ in the L.A. Valley area) for a compression-bent aluminized exhaust,

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Yes a quote of $800 from Enochs mufflers in Burbank with magnaflows. I passed..But Bobs is too far...

Rich, I live 3-4 blocks from Enochs. I drove there with open headers on the 62 and was quoted $1000 for 2.5" compression bent pipes. An X or H would have been more. I asked about 3.00" pipes and they wanted $1500-2000 depending on how much hassle it was. I understand and X frame car is a little more difficult, but I couldn't believe the quotes I was getting.

You may want to consider a bolt-in kit from Jegs, Flowmaster or Pypes. I have a 3.00" X pipe kit from Pypes for the Malibu. I currently just have the mufflers slipped over the header collectors, but it looks like a nicely made bolt-in kit.

He did go down to $700, but just too much. I always had work done by them since the 80's. But too much now..just had header cones replaced and welded to pipes for the collector from them for $30 about 2 weeks ago..Not bad for little stuff. I also drove my Trans Am down there with open headers from Stadium Way and the 5 frwy. But that was long, long ago

Just as an FYI, I'm in the process of swapping a 350 into my 64 C10, which was formerly a 230 6-cylinder. I bought some Hookers because they were the only headers I could find that specifically stated they would work with a 3-speed manual column shift. The fit is PERFECT. No interference at all with shift linkage or clutch linkage. Very nice quality headers, cost from Summit was $169. They are a little on the small side, 1.5" primaries and 2.25" collector. I guess that's because they were originally designed for something like a 283, but I figure they are perfect for my 350 with stock cam.