How hard would it be to exchange stock exhaust manifolds with headers? I would like to make the engine look better, ive found it to be hard with all the smog equipment in my '80. Already stripped the A/C, dont miss it neither looks a lot better, just by removing A/C. Can feel the extra horsies too.

 

You would probably need to replace most of the exhaust system. The stock system is exhaust -> y-pipe -> single pipe -> 2 pipes.

You could rip out the entire exhaust system yourself, install headers and drive to the nearest exhaust shop to get the rest installed. Depending on which headers you get, you might find that one or both headers are easier to install from underneath the car.

I managed to install headers on mine in my garage with basic tools. I then drove to an exhaust shop to get everything from the headers back installed.

psst. try the classic tech section

 

Only problems I had removing the manifolds from my 81 Z28 were breaking loose the y-pipe to manifold bolts... Broke two off... I also broke an exhaust manifold bolt off in the head... Which didn't matter since I was rebuilding the engine anyways... But it's not difficult to do... If you don't have visual inspection for smog stuff in your state, you can ditch that... You'll probably get long tubes which I don't think too many come with smog provisions for 2nd gens anyways... Just remember to soak the manifold to y-pipe bolts with Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster overnight.

 

I bought the car 2 years ago, this will be the first time i've smogged it. Previous owner said it passed with flyin colors when he took it in. But me, living in california with all the emission laws and such, would ditching all of the smog equipment be smart? Because i would love to do it.

 

I cant see how headers would be able to fit between the fender wells and the engine, is there actually room on your 81 camaro?

 

I don't know much about California laws, but from what I hear they are pretty strict with emissions... I'm sure someone else can shed more light on that... So ditching the smog equiptment might not be a smart thing... Only benefit I saw in that is saving money on headers since smogged headers are probably more expensive... I doubt you'd gain much by removing the smog stuff anyways... The air pump doesn't put the same load on the engine as the A/C... I removed mine because it was easier with it out of the way and I knew someone that was lax with visual inspections here in Va.

Headers will fit... Like Erik said above, it's easier to install them from below... The only thing you really have to look out for is bottoming out on the headers underneath... With some long tubes, you can dent them up pretty good if you haul *** over speed bumps, dips, etc.

 

Is it possible to relocate the O2 manifold? May it be possible to port one large O2 Injection port somwhere further down the header instead of 4 ports on the top of each header?