86 C10 2wd 6.0 6L90E (Long Tube Header Advise)

[kidd79]

Guys.
I need your expertise. I have an 86 C10 2wd Single Cab Short bed. I am in the process of installing a 6.0 and 6L90E, not an 80E... Everyone seems to think I make a mistake by saying 90E... But it's a 90. Anyways, my question is, does anyone know of any Long Tube Headers that I can purchase that will fit without me having to notch the frame on my truck, or heat and bend the headers. You know "Direct fit bolt in and go" long tube. I have searched high and low, read almost everything there is to read on this forum, and haven't been able to find the exact answer to my question/application. I keep seeing everyone has a 4L this or that trans and what they're using for headers, but not much on the 6L Trans. I have contacted several header manufacturers and they all say that they have only test fit their headers on swaps with the 4L series trans. Getting pretty frustrated at this point . Any and all help on this will be greatly appreciated. Also, I have a set of the dirty dingo slider mounts if that makes a difference or not in the combination of parts swapping for fitment of the headers. Part#'s and a website link to order from would be the bees knees.

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by kidd79

Guys.
I need your expertise. I have an 86 C10 2wd Single Cab Short bed. I am in the process of installing a 6.0 and 6L90E, not an 80E... Everyone seems to think I make a mistake by saying 90E... But it's a 90. Anyways, my question is, does anyone know of any Long Tube Headers that I can purchase that will fit without me having to notch the frame on my truck, or heat and bend the headers. You know "Direct fit bolt in and go" long tube. I have searched high and low, read almost everything there is to read on this forum, and haven't been able to find the exact answer to my question/application. I keep seeing everyone has a 4L this or that trans and what they're using for headers, but not much on the 6L Trans. I have contacted several header manufacturers and they all say that they have only test fit their headers on swaps with the 4L series trans. Getting pretty frustrated at this point . Any and all help on this will be greatly appreciated. Also, I have a set of the dirty dingo slider mounts if that makes a difference or not in the combination of parts swapping for fitment of the headers. Part#'s and a website link to order from would be the bees knees.

Any header that will install with a 4L80 will also clear a 6L80 or 6L90 transmission due to the pointed ears on the bellhousing of the 4L80 creating the worst-case scenario for header fitment in an LS swap.

The only variable you need to consider that will determine the ultimate fitment of the headers in your truck besides that is the inclination angle you install your engine/trans at.

For example, If the headers were designed to be installed with the engine inclination angle set to 4 degrees and you install your combination at a more severe angle to allow the taller case height of the 6L90 trans to clear your floor without cutting it, then the collectors will be angled more towards the ground then they were intended to be.

The Hooker 73-87 GM truck LS swap headers will fit your truck and transmission, but their bend geometry is only compatible with the matching Hooker engine mounting brackets.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by toddoky

Any header that will install with a 4L80 will also clear a 6L80 or 6L90 transmission due to the pointed ears on the bellhousing of the 4L80 creating the worst-case scenario for header fitment in an LS swap.

The only variable you need to consider that will determine the ultimate fitment of the headers in your truck besides that is the inclination angle you install your engine/trans at.

For example, If the headers were designed to be installed with the engine inclination angle set to 4 degrees and you install your combination at a more severe angle to allow the taller case height of the 6L90 trans to clear your floor without cutting it, then the collectors will be angled more towards the ground then they were intended to be.

The Hooker 73-87 GM truck LS swap headers will fit your truck and transmission, but their bend geometry is only compatible with the matching Hooker engine mounting brackets.

Thanks Todd. I bought you guys trans cross member and cantilever bracket all ready to mount the trans with. So your saying I need the motor mounts too, and a set of you guys Long tubes will fit in my truck with maybe having to knock off some ears on the side of my trans possibly? I got a grinder and know how to use it.. LOL. I ain't skeered of grinding off some ears if that's all the modifications I need to do to run long tubes.
I have This:
12646HKR
12645HKR
I need this?
12621HKR
2334-1HKR
70501414-RHKR

Thanks for all the help Todd!

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by kidd79

Thanks Todd. I bought you guys trans cross member and cantilever bracket all ready to mount the trans with. So your saying I need the motor mounts too, and a set of you guys Long tubes will fit in my truck with maybe having to knock off some ears on the side of my trans possibly? I got a grinder and know how to use it.. LOL. I ain't skeered of grinding off some ears if that's all the modifications I need to do to run long tubes.
I have This:
12646HKR
12645HKR
I need this?
12621HKR
2334-1HKR
70501414-RHKR

Thanks for all the help Todd!

Yes, you would have to use the Hooker 12621HKR engine brackets to use the Hooker headers. You won't have to do any grinding to your bellhousing as the headers are designed to clear the protruding ears on the 4L80 bellhousing, which is smaller than the 6L80/6L90 bellhousings.

[kidd79]

Originally Posted by toddoky

Yes, you would have to use the Hooker 12621HKR engine brackets to use the Hooker headers. You won't have to do any grinding to your bellhousing as the headers are designed to clear the protruding ears on the 4L80 bellhousing, which is smaller than the 6L80/6L90 bellhousings.

Awesome!! Thank you so much for the information. Hopefully this will help someone else in the future. And the 70501414-RHKR are designed to fit those headers along with 42107HKR adapter pipes?

[toddoky]

Originally Posted by kidd79

Awesome!! Thank you so much for the information. Hopefully this will help someone else in the future. And the 70501414-RHKR are designed to fit those headers along with 42107HKR adapter pipes?

Yes, you've got it straight. Keep in mind that the horizontal alignment of the headers to the exhaust system is dependent on the engine inclination angle provided by the Hooker transmission crossmember for any of the transmissions covered under the application. Since your 6L90 is a custom application, you may end up with an angular discrepancy at the header-to-exhaust system connection if your engine inclination angle is different than what was arrived at for the other transmissions.