Hey all new to the group. Just picked up a 86 SS with 90,000 miles. When I looked at it I knew it had an exhaust leak that turned out to be the y after the cat ....no big deal $110 at the local muffler shop and I was good to go....right....not so much.
After they got the y fixed another exhaust leak showed its ugly head, cracked manifold on the passenger side. This car is bone stock under the hood all of the emissions stuff is still there. My thoughts when buying this car was just a Cruiser keep it stock. Now the question What would you do?

Should I replace the cracked manifold ($120 plus labor) or is there a good direct fit header set out there that I could install? or pull all emissions BS and get a exhaust system with headers and have a bung installed for the O2 sensor.
Any thoughts or other suggestions would be great.
Chad

 

If you're wanting to keep it stock the $120 manifold replacement would probably be the best thing to do. If you go with the new headers you will have to do away with the EGR completely(I know from experience) and weld in a bung for the O2 sensor. Not to mention going with the manifold replacement would be the cheapest. The cheapest set of headers in Summit costs $130 then the car has to be modified slightly to get them to fit. Don't get me wrong, headers will make it run better, but in my opinion the stock replacement will be the least headache. Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

I do belive edelbrock makes emissions headers for 4th gens

 

Get a set of shorty headers that will bolt up to the Y-pipe that you have. Last I checked it might be around the $120.00 for the single manifold your going to get. The only emission you will loose should be the AIR injection if equiped.

 

I'd look around for a stock manifold. $120 is way too much to pay for one though. There's lots of listings on car-parts.com for right around $40. Even if you had to pay to have it shipped from another state you'd still be money ahead compared to that $120 quote. Another option would be to keep an eye on craigslist and ebay. I'm sure you could find a manifold either place for a reasonable price.

 

this right here. if youre going to spend money on a repair dont waste it on a stock manifold. take your manifolds off and put the edelbrock headers on it. keep your manifolds in a box if you decide to sell the car later. hopefully the car will pick up some hp from the swap.

 

EdelBrock use to make yes headers that where emissions legal for the montes but are now discontinued.
Your best bet is to get a set of shorty headers and get a o2 bung installed.and air pipes