Kustom Headers for L88

[Everett Ogilvie]

What are the odds of finding a set of the old Kustom headers (and side pipes) that were offered for/with L88 cars? Lots of myths around these - were they part of the L88 package, and shipped inside the car, or were they simply an available part?

[Duke W.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

They were not shipped with the car. The early Chevrolet Power Manualsl list headers and side exhaust part numbers, and I believe these were manufactured for GM by Kustom, who also manufactured the production stainless steel header for the Cosworth Vega.

Duke

[John H.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

They were a separately-purchased over-the-counter package, and freed up a LOT of horsepower.

[Mark #28455]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

I've seen two sets for sale in the past few years - one on e-bay and the other at Crane's Corvettes. Needless to say, they were VERY expensive. Since they're not factory original (never installed on a car) I would just get a set from Hooker and save a few thousand dollars!

[Dick W.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

Everette, the headers that were available from Chevrolet are quite unique. They were manufactured by Kustom for GM. They had GM part numbers stamped on the mounting flange, not in a gang like a block, but one digit at a time and not very neatly done either. I have had three sets of my own and in the late'60's and early 70's helped install three sets, two on Vettes and one on a Camaro. The side pipes had very noticeable differences from Hooker which I also had a set of on a Vette. Lots of luck. I talked to some of the Kustom people several years ago about making a set or two. They talked about several thousand dollars then.

[Tom D.]

Just one example why I love this site! *NM*

[Michael H.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

Everett,

I think the "myth" about the Corvette L-88 headers being shipped in the car actually came from the 67-68 Camaro. The Camaro headers, if ordered, actually did come in the trunk but as others have stated, the Corvette headers were over the counter only. There were three unique part numbers, one for each year of the L-88 engine option. Not sure why the changes fron 67 68 69 but they were definitely shaped diferently. The most common today would be the last style that was designed for 69 as the 67 and 68 were discontinued soon after the end of each model year. The 69 number/style continued to be available for several years after 69.

Michael

[Dick W.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

I cannot speak for the changes between the 68 and 69 headers, but the ones that I have seen on '67's that were supposedly "original" were a definately different collector configeration, somewhat flattened as it came under the rocker area. The later style were 4 into 1 round collectors

[Mark Ring]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

In case you are looking for these, here are the P/N's:

3977971 - LH SB Header

3977972 - RH SB Header

3960709 - LH BB Header

3960710 - RH BB Header

3960713 - Side Tube

3977899 - Muffler assy

3960711 - Bolt, 16 req'd

3977970 - SB Header Gasket, 2 req'd

Who knows, maybe you will find a set.

-Mark.

[Dick W.]

Re: Kustom Headers for L88

Mark, I was at Carlisle several years ago and Doc McCagh came to me and said he had found a set of side tubes. I bought these in the Kustom box for the tremendous price of $100.00