[Headers / exhaust pipe size]

On my '70 I have Sanderson headers installed. They're the block hugger design and are ceramic coated. From what I've seen, Sanderson is about as good as it gets for headers...they have the thickest flanges I've ever seen on a header which goes a long way to keeping from warping or the bolts from backing out and creating leaks. In any case, most any brand block hugger design headers should work.

For the rest of the exhaust system I had a 2 1/2" pipe installed all the way back with Magnaflow mufflers. I'm not sure, but I think the speed shop that fabricated the system may have had to pinch the pipes slightly where they pass through the frame openings to keep them from rattling.

The only other issue I can think of was the shop had to fabricate a different backup light and neutral safety switch arrangement as the stock setup was too close to the exhaust pipe on that side, but this may have been more due to having a 700R4 installed and it's somewhat larger size compared to the original Borg Warner Power Shift than the larger exhaust pipes by themselves.

Any good custom shop or exhaust shop equipped with a pipe bender should be able to handle a new exhaust system for you.

MANY THANKS, Gunslinger ! I have all of the info on the Sanderson headers, just wanted to see if anything more efficient (tuned) would fit. I'll try 1-800-Avanti 1 for the pipes. Jegs or Summit has a length of flexible pipe that may be good for going through the frame.

FYI

Just finished a lot of research on shocks. (I have the time.... I'm a retired 70 yo, former Marine, Mfg. Engr., SCCA racer, sailboat racer (from 8' - 34'), and a quadraplegic for the last 9 years. My '82 Avanti and '04 Toyota Sienna have hand controls.

Talked to a very knowledgeable lady at Bilstein. Bottomline : the front shocks for an '80 Z28 have slightly more travel than the stock Avanti shocks, (part no. F4-B46-1104-HO), and '70 - '80 Camero rear shocks, (part no. F4-B46-0156-HO).

The best part is the price: $305.20 shipped, (for 4) from "Doc" at "The Tire Rack", (888-541-1777. I was going to get Konis', until I spoke to Ken Lelacher from Milford, Ct. ('63 coupe) who mentioned that Konis' had a habit of breaking mounts when set on "firm". Also, when he worked on maintenance of a fleet of trucks, they tested shocks. Bilstein were the only ones that lasted.

Oil

Two different tests that I've found, one by a knowledgeable

bike enthusiast, claimed that Shell Rotella (100 percent synthetic) was one of the beter oils to use.

Filters

Ferrari has used Baldwin filters for years. (that big round orange thing on their engines !)

Sway bars (or: Anti-sway bars)

"Just suspensions" (800-872-1548) claims they may be able to match Avanti bar specs to existing bars for $100 each,with bushings. I'll let you know how I make out.

MANY THANKS, Gunslinger ! I have all of the info on the Sanderson headers, just wanted to see if anything more efficient (tuned) would fit. I'll try 1-800-Avanti 1 for the pipes. Jegs or Summit has a length of flexible pipe that may be good for going through the frame.

FYI

Just finished a lot of research on shocks. (I have the time.... I'm a retired 70 yo, former Marine, Mfg. Engr., SCCA racer, sailboat racer (from 8' - 34'), and a quadraplegic for the last 9 years. My '82 Avanti and '04 Toyota Sienna have hand controls.

Talked to a very knowledgeable lady at Bilstein. Bottomline : the front shocks for an '80 Z28 have slightly more travel than the stock Avanti shocks, (part no. F4-B46-1104-HO), and '70 - '80 Camero rear shocks, (part no. F4-B46-0156-HO).

The best part is the price: $305.20 shipped, (for 4) from "Doc" at "The Tire Rack", (888-541-1777. I was going to get Konis', until I spoke to Ken Lelacher from Milford, Ct. ('63 coupe) who mentioned that Konis' had a habit of breaking mounts when set on "firm". Also, when he worked on maintenance of a fleet of trucks, they tested shocks. Bilstein were the only ones that lasted.

Oil

Two different tests that I've found, one by a knowledgeable

bike enthusiast, claimed that Shell Rotella (100 percent synthetic) was one of the beter oils to use.

Filters

Ferrari has used Baldwin filters for years. (that big round orange thing on their engines !)

Sway bars (or: Anti-sway bars)

"Just suspensions" (800-872-1548) claims they may be able to match Avanti bar specs to existing bars for $100 each,with bushings. I'll let you know how I make out.

PS

I have a 700R4, too, so I'll anticipate the same problems.

[Headers / exhaust pipe size]

Has anyone found an eficient Chevy header and a way to install a larger (than 2") exhaust system ?

Thanks

Irv83

'82 3492

[Lowering Springs?? Headliner Trouble]

Well, he DID say "MODERN up-to-date", which leaves out the early 70's tech

that Turner/Steeltech use for brakes . My setup is held up at the moment

because my CNC shop has suddenly gone silent.....

I have considered a few minor body changes, but yours sound much more

extreme than I was thinking. I plan on making LED front turn signals, and

updated headlights to fit the stock openings on my '63. I have the 17 inch

wheels, thought about racing stripes on the black paint, but I havent seen

an Avanti yet with stripes I like. I think the asymetrical hood bump messes

up the dual stripes. I have the modern seats, gauge upgrade will just be a

new set of SWs. I am looking into ways of improving on the Stude suspen.,

so I can cut costs, and I already have the world class four wheel discs. The

T56 6 speed install is eventually going to happen, quick steering arms, large

sway bar set, I kinda like those aluminum gas doors, etc. So far no bites to

get it into 'Popular Hot Rodding' or 'Car Craft'. Though I did get the 'Avanti

Magazine cover - its a start. Will be nice to get it back out of the garage, its

been laid up since last year from the power steering failure.

My next article in Avanti Magazine will be the Camaro seat install.

Tom

Hi Tom,

What's the back spacing on your wheels ? I want to install Roto RB (Panasport look-a-likes) 17 x 7 wheels with Avon Tech 500 225 x 55 x 17 tires on my '82 with a "built" 383 sbc and 700R4. What shocks would you recomend?

Thanks

irv83

'82 3492

The revs per mile are similar to 215 / 70 / 15s

[GT Mustang to 13" Cobra brake Avanti upgrade process]

I got a set of front brake hubs from a guy who had recently upgraded to

Turner disc brakes from his tired 4 wheel stock drums. I pressed the old

drums off the hubs, and then trial fitted the stock hub into the 13" Cobra

rotor, and it fit perfectly - that was a BIG relief! :

The next step was to press out the old studs :

Here is the studless hub :

Did you know that the factory studs have NO knurl?? No wonder they tend

to strip out so easy with an impact gun!

They looked SOOO ugly, I scraped them with a screw driver, and the took

them to work and used the wire wheel :

Thats all for now .. I had to order the new wheel bearings, seals, caps, and

also make a tool to pound out the old races. The caps I got from Pepboys

in the Help! section, but the part that slips into the hub was too long, so it

would not sit flush, hub against the crimped shoulder. I also bought the 10

Dodge wheel studs mentioned in my original article, and drilled the hub for

the interference fit for the knurl. I took two of the old bearing races, one

of the inners, & one of the outers, and had the machine shop at my work

cut a slot through one side with the chop saw. This will allow me to use as

an installer, so I dont risk damaging the new race with an out-of-control

chisel tip! I went to buy a bearing race installer kit from the local Harbor

Freight, but they were sold out! I will update this thread as I go.

Enjoy!

Tom

Hi Tom,

May I callyou re: the Cobra brakes ?

Irvsails@webtv.net

Irv Rich

Irv83