Exhaust Manifolds - SBC

I have a 283 in my 40 Stude Champion project. I need a little more clearance between the driver side exhaust manifold and the Heim joint supporting the steering rod to the MII front rack. Will small LS (4.8 to 5.7) rear dump exhaust manifolds work with small block center dump cast iron heads? Overall length, attachment dimensions, and pipe diameter look okay, but pictures of port sizes lead to this question.

Anybody else do this? Pros? Cons?

TIA

 

Say what!

 

First off, pictures of the problem would really help, my first choice would be trying to move the support for the steering shafts out of the way of the exhaust, if that won't work, you can try 265 exhaust manifolds or G-Body V-8 exhaust manifolds, perhaps a set of block-hugger headers. LS or later LT exhaust manifolds won't work. Best of luck with your project.

 

No, it cannot be done with an LS manifold, that’s a completely different family of engines.

 

I've used several pairs of the cast iron tuck tight manifolds from Roadster Supply on various applications. $199.

 

block hugger headers are your best bet. And never say LS again..... ever!

 

At the risk of going OT, I believe any SBC exhaust manifolds (includes the LT1 that preceded the LS engines) will bolt on.
I have a ‘97 LT1 and and L98, only difference to my eye is the LT1 exhaust manifolds do not have the tubes for AIR.
I can look at them tomorrow, as I don’t recall if either have rear dump.
I’m assuming your issue isn’t where they bolt to the head, but the portion where the exhaust pipe connects to.

 

I had milled material off a driver side ram horn, on an angle for some hot rodder at work 40 years ago.

He called the shots and I followed the recipe. It took 2 shots before he had what he wanted.

I forget if he had to do anything with the mounting holes. This was in a 1932-ish Ford with an after market chassis.

 

Possibly 69-70 Chevy Pickup? I have used them also in the past the left side tucks in and points back at a 45 degree angle and the right one just points back at a 45.

 

Any SBC manifold will fit your heads. No LS manifolds will fit your heads.

 

Some early Corvette manifolds might be the solution. They dump the driver's side exhaust toward the front end of the block. Downside, they were for a 265 SBC. 283 isn't much different volume wise and many run them without performance issues.

Here's a set on eBay right now:



I considered running a set but ended up fabricating a header to meet my needs.



Best of luck!

 

SBC - E I I E E I I E
Unmentionable - I E I E I E I E

 

The answer to your question really depends on what your local connections are and how much you can afford.
Big bucks + no local parts hoarder you can dig through = have custom headers made.
Less bucks or you have fab skills and like a challenge = Build you own.
Block hugger headers.
Some friends with a bunch of stock manifolds = dig through and check fit. They made so many different manifolds over the years, there is bound to be something that will be close or fit, but that's going to take actual fitting unless you can scan and 3d model.
Unless someone built the same car to exactly the same tolerances and clearances, other's experience is only going to be a rough guide.