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BBK 1 3/4 Long tube headers to 3 inch exhaust?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cathartic
  • Start date Start date Aug 20, 2004

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
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0
Ca
Aug 20, 2004
#1
  • Aug 20, 2004
  • #1
I have BBK 1 3/4 long tube headers and want to run 3 inch exhaust but im told the collector is 3 inch but reduces to 2 1/2 at flange, anyone running 3 inch exhaust?
 
9

9 Deuce GT

Member
Dec 10, 2003
550
1
16
Geneva, NY
Aug 20, 2004
#2
  • Aug 20, 2004
  • #2
I am looking into the same thing. I have read a lot of posts where guys have cut off the end of the collector, and welded on a true 3" collector.
 

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
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Aug 20, 2004
#3
  • Aug 20, 2004
  • #3
got a link? i tried searching
 

MadDAWG_zr2

New Member
Jan 6, 2004
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0
Aug 20, 2004
#4
  • Aug 20, 2004
  • #4
I saw a kit somewhere to do just that, but I don't remeber where. It was a pair of 3" ball and socket connectors that you would put on once you cut off the originals.
 

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
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Ca
Aug 21, 2004
#5
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #5
if you cut the originals then you just tack weld the new ball and sockets or what? Now they are only tack welded in 3 spots according to BBK. I was thinking of hacking of ball and socket and just welding flange in a full circle and using a good gasket and just bolt flange to flange with no ball and socket. Will that leak?
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 21, 2004
#6
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #6
What motor? What kind of power? For most 302's, 1 5/8ths are fine, as are 2.5" exhaust. The 3" systems, and larger primaries won't hurt peak power, but on most small block set ups, they'll hurt low end torque.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Aug 21, 2004
#7
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #7
A friend of mine just got done doing that with his 331 stoker. He has the same 1 3/4" BBK long tubes he replaced from his 1 5/8" FRPP shorties. He picked up "0" RWHP with the long tubes and he was not happy. Not one to rest he found the problem to be the ball joint collector. It was the same diameter as the shorties. So he bought race style collectors (Can't remember which ones but I can find out) and welded them on and picked up 15 RWHP and 13 ft. lbs. like he was expecting in the first place. He paid close to $500 for the headers with the shipping and another $200 on getting the collectors and welding them on. Now he wants to get the collectors recoated to match the headers.....Not to mention the time wasted doing all this. I told him he should have just bought some Kooks headers and been done with it. He agreed.
 

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
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Ca
Aug 21, 2004
#8
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #8
I have a 347 afr 205 AFM b-41 blower cam Vortech s trim/aftercooler 15psi and I "ONLY WANT 3 inch" exhaust. The ball does downsize but its 3 inch at flange I measured. All he had to do was cut flange and move it back if he wanted it like that. What a waste of money...
 

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
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Ca
Aug 21, 2004
#9
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #9
another option is to have the ball and socket stretched at exhaust shop although I have not heard of this bieng done BBK told me its one option.
 

hllon4whls

BANNED
Founding Member
Jan 17, 2002
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46
Covington
Aug 21, 2004
#10
  • Aug 21, 2004
  • #10
From 2.5 to 3 inches is a big stretch.
 

cathartic

Founding Member
Jan 27, 2002
220
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Ca
Aug 22, 2004
#11
  • Aug 22, 2004
  • #11
yes i agree, think im gonna hack off ball and socket and just go flange to flange and weld headers in full circle at flange. should be good to go
 
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