My question is it possible to run rams horn manifolds on a head that has D ports. Is there enough meat to match ports? Deuce Roadster has a ZZ430 that I believe has D ports that he runs rams horn manifolds. I would like to hear more. BTW I have used the search feature but was unable to find any info regarding D ports. Gratefully thank you in advance. Ed
Mine's been using the combo for a couple of years now. (ZZ4 "L98" heads, also D port) I didn't "match" the manifolds but I'm tearing down to change cam and heads (TrickFlow) and I may do it this time. I don't know how much bigger a 'fast burn' (ZZ430) head port is. Also the fast burn head has 'raised' exhaust ports (.200) but I would think it will work. The rams horns I have are pretty thick around the ports.
i put them on a ZZ3 motor once , didn't even consider the ports because we were in a hurry. motor ran fine with not problems. matching the ports would be a great idea....without looking i would guess the ram horns should have enough metal to do it
I'm familiar with both, ZZ430 & ZZ430 w/fastburn heads, ramshorn'll work fine I wouldn't bother to port match for street since a little mimatch is a good thing for reversion. btw i happen to have the 2nd set of fast burn heads produced, they are documented and came on a ZZ430 as an upgrade if you are interested give me a shout.
I've done it a couple of times on a ZZZ and ZZ3, used the late 60s Pu manifolds that piont back at a 45 degree angle. Didn't seem to bother on the street.
Go here, about half way down: http://www.cis.udel.edu/~davis/z28/zz4/ Look for the porting he did to match the D port gasket to the standard cast iron exhaust manifold on a Z28. That's on a ZZ4 heads, the Fast Burn heads (on the ZZ430) have even larger d shape ports. I *think* there's about a 1/4 inch height difference between a standard chevy exhaust port and the Fast Burn exhaust ports. 1/4 inch is a lot to try to cut away to try to match a port. IMO I don't think there's enough meat to work with on a rams horn manifold. Why run rams horns on such a nice set of heads??
Deuce Roadster here ... I ported both sets of the Ram Horn manifolds ... I have two of the ZZ430 engines. # 430 is in the roadster and #216 is in the 3W. I also have another one ... in pieces for my next possible 32 Ford project. Yet to be announced I bought a set of Fel-Pro exhaust gaskets for the D port head and used them as a guide. I put blue machinest dye on the surface of the manifold ... then scribbed the lines ... it does get a little thin at the lowest part of the manifold but I have 40 plus thousand miles on the set that is on the roadster ... with no issues
I would like to extend a huge HAMB thank you! to all those who replied. The heads I'm using are the ZZ4 aluminum, L98 as mentioned above. The reason I wanted the rams horn manifolds is to try to achieve a more traditional look to an engine that's not. I met Deuce Roadster at 07 Good Guys Charlotte, he allowed me to look at his 3 window coupe. I needed to see how the windshield hinge set up is on an original. He is super nice to someone he didn't even know, and again now, Thank You. Does anyone have any comments on the Ram horn manifolds offered by Speedway, not the Tru Rams but the ones that look more original. thank you Ed
I used a Fel-Pro exhaust gasket #1406 ... Was out in the shop today and saw it hanging on the wall ... thought of this thread ... came inside and posted the Fel-Pro number.
On your zz430 motor in the roadster , do the stock manifolds you have clear the steering ? do you have a Vega box ? , I have a ZZ4 in a roadster and it has block hugger headers on it , but Im wanting to try togo with a more Stock or rams type manifold Thanks