Anyone running a center mount header?

[brsvo]

I would like to go to a header but I have concerns over how a center mount fits with everything else on a street car? I figure there is no hope for AC. What about hood clearance? I would have to replumb the intake and exhaust plus oil and water for the turbo. The Stinger unit has the waste gate facing forward, seams this would add plumbing problems? Bo's is really expensive is it that much better? Anyone with experiance?

[Patrick]

Meotchh posted a few pics over the weekend in another thread around here somewhere.

http://www.svocop.com/forum/showthread.php?904-Accidental-SVO&p=7826#post7826

[Meotchh]

Yes I did, & will be running A/C in that as well. Using the stock A/C mount & the stock A/C compressor. The belt & mounts are from an 87 or 88 TC.

http://www.svocop.com/forum/showthread.php?904-Accidental-SVO/page3

[Meotchh]

I will say I have seen Bo's header up close & it is a well built beast. If you are planning on running it on a street car it should hold up for quite some time. He used some seriously heavy gauge tubes for that thing. He has said you do not need to support it, but I would rather be safe than sorry & brace the turbo & or header some how.

[Raven855]

I have 2 of Bo's headers and 1 of Stingers. I will post pics later. The first one I got was actually made incorrectly for an aluminum head, seems that the exhaust ports are different on the aluminum head and it didn't match up well. We changed the runner configuration on it as well on the later unit. It was a learning process for us both, although I wish he had given me a better deal on it. He use to have pics of it posted on his site. I had him coat the header and it was impressive. As Mitch said it is an extremely well built header and I would have no problem putting a big turbo on it unsupported though. The difference between Stingers and Bo's is quite alot. The material thickness, quality of the welds, quality of the materials and the finish on Bo's is first rate. Having said all of that I will say that I have one of Stingers also, I don't think it will last as long as Bo's but you don't need deep pockets as well. It will do everything Stinger says it will do.

[MikeFleming]

NOT having a brace is not a good idea - ESPECIALLY with an aluminum head.

All that weight - a foot out from the head mounting surface being held on by only (8) 10mm bolts into the aluminum (and if it's an Essy casting add the word SOFT) and the thermal cycling will always result in leaks and a continuous need to re-tighten the attaching bolts. There's a lot of bending force supporting a large turbo.

A support brace to the lower block mount will help ALOT with the bolt loadings.

Note if you take those exhaust bolts to 50 Ft-Lbs in one of Essy's heads, you'll be re-welding and machining those holes forever.

[brsvo]

Well talk is cheep without pictures it didn't happen. And yes I'm talking about Bo's or Stingers center mount (witch are top mount) seeing as I can't buy a Kooks. I wouldn't want to cut up my fender reguardless. How high does a T3/T4 highbred sit on theirs? I've seen plenty of sales pictures but no installs.

[Meotchh]

Well Kook's does not offer that header any more. Maybe Tony would be nice enough to post the pics of Bo's header he bought?

[Stinger]

I figure there is no hope for AC. What about hood clearance?

Mine will actually clear the a/c compressor. No idea about Bo's. As for hood clearance, it's certainly not an issue. There is a ton of clearance between the turbo and hood (3+ inches). Here are a few pics showing hood clearance. The intercooler tubing going over the turbo is 3". Bo's is similar in height and location to mine so these pics should apply (approximately) for both.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/yellow_stinger/85%20SVO/P3202354.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/yellow_stinger/85%20SVO/P3202353.jpg

[Raven855]

Thanks for posting those pics! I will post some others later. Right now I'm getting ready to leave town and I'm also busy with office stuff. The office had a breakin late last night(4AM) and we are still figuring out what is missing along with having customers onsite today.

[brsvo]

Thanks for the pics. Looking at the headers by themselves they look a lot taller! So yours clears the stock AC too, sweet! This is getting very tempting!

[fess40]

Here's a shot of my '89. I'm running Stinger's center mount header and FMIC. I don't quite have it on the street yet, but my AC is hooked up.

[dew34]

As much as stainless expands would it be safe to install a brace on SS header? If the brace did not expand at the same rate as the ss would this make the header crack?
mike

[Meotchh]

You should always support a turbo manifold / header whether it is stainless, cast, or mild steel. You need to be concerned with limiting cracking of the header / manifold & limiting stress on the head.