Using the stock Vortec 5.7 exhaust manifolds in a narrow frame engine swap.
The stock Vortec exhaust manifold outlets are much wider than the engine and will not go between the frame rails on my 97 Blazer AWD (or 4x4) or any other narrow frame vehicle. I want this engine swap to look as much like a factory install so I did not want to use LT1 manifolds or tube headers which would have needed other modifications to make them work.
What I did was to angle mill the exhaust manifold where it mates to the head to bring the exhaust outlets in closer to the engine block which will allow it to go between the frame rails.
After the milling to the exhaust manifolds they are much closer to the rear of the engine block. A little more could be removed from the manifolds if needed but I think that this should be enough for my application. If I do need some more all I have to do is remove the manifold and cut a little more for extra clearance.
Now with a little bending in the right places of the stock 4.3 exhaust y-pipe it should work on the 5.7 Vortec exhaust outlets and allow the use of the stock Blazer exhaust system. My Blazer has a Gibson cat-back exhaust that I installed in 1996 with less the 500 miles on the Blazer and now I plan on a true duel exhaust system with Cherry Bomb mufflers after I get everything else done.
:tup:
The stock Vortec exhaust manifold outlets are much wider than the engine and will not go between the frame rails on my 97 Blazer AWD (or 4x4) or any other narrow frame vehicle. I want this engine swap to look as much like a factory install so I did not want to use LT1 manifolds or tube headers which would have needed other modifications to make them work.
What I did was to angle mill the exhaust manifold where it mates to the head to bring the exhaust outlets in closer to the engine block which will allow it to go between the frame rails.
After the milling to the exhaust manifolds they are much closer to the rear of the engine block. A little more could be removed from the manifolds if needed but I think that this should be enough for my application. If I do need some more all I have to do is remove the manifold and cut a little more for extra clearance.
Now with a little bending in the right places of the stock 4.3 exhaust y-pipe it should work on the 5.7 Vortec exhaust outlets and allow the use of the stock Blazer exhaust system. My Blazer has a Gibson cat-back exhaust that I installed in 1996 with less the 500 miles on the Blazer and now I plan on a true duel exhaust system with Cherry Bomb mufflers after I get everything else done.
:tup: