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Old 07-02-2020, 11:59 AM
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mysticmissle mysticmissle is offline
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Default long branch availbaility

Does anyone know of a repro set avialable? I was just informed the old molds need to be redone.
if this is indeed true and i cant get a set anytime soon. can anyone confirm a header that works well with a 69 and clutch linkage?
i am only going to run 2.5'' exhaust with a cross over muffler for clearance purposes. no resonators
thank you

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Old 07-02-2020, 12:53 PM
JLMounce JLMounce is offline
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I don't have a manual in my bird, but the 3 tube headman headers have about the best fit of the header systems in these cars. They do not produce the power of a 4 tube design, but they do tend to fit better.

My car is VERY low 3.5" at the subframe and I do not have clearance issues with the heads on my bird.

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Old 07-02-2020, 01:42 PM
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If you are seeing round port long branches, RARE has been repairing the molds for like 8 years now. I wouldn't hold my breath. I thought D port manifolds were readily available unless that mold is broken now too.

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Old 07-02-2020, 02:19 PM
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Ok I need dport, maybe I need to call rare this was on Facebook so I will attempt
To verify

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Old 07-02-2020, 08:04 PM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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I need a set of round port long branch and have been waiting for a couple years as well. Even if they had to make new molds from scratch, this isn't rocket science. They are not as complicated as a head mold or a block. If RARE would get this done, they would instantly sell 150-200 sets. All the B body cars need them and I personally know of 10 people waiting for a set. Round port availability opens the market for Speedmaster heads, Edelbrock KRE, and Wenzler. IN both F body and B body cars. That's thousands of cars! Wish they would push the project.

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Old 07-02-2020, 08:24 PM
thews thews is offline
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Wow...had no idea the D-ports dried up? Wonder what happened? I have a set I bought new off eBay about 7 years ago for about $600. I plan on using them on my 69 350HO.

Here's an original set of round ports for $4500 on eBay. You'd think with today's 3D printing capabilities making a mold would be child's play.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/68-69-FIREB...IAAOSw~vxetBAc


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Old 07-02-2020, 09:06 PM
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Hmm, bought my set of d port long branches from RARE 3 years ago. I had no idea they are hard to get now.

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Old 07-02-2020, 10:07 PM
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I'm going to sell a set of original d-ports in the near future. Not perfect but at least they exist.

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Old 07-02-2020, 11:57 PM
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With today's 3d printing capabilities, you could just directly print a set from stainless via the DMLS process (rather than make tooling). All you need to do is reverse-engineer an original set to create a pair of .stl files. But seriously, even that is not that hard. Scan a set of originals and re-create the passageways by offsetting the OML inwards.

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Old 07-03-2020, 10:35 AM
wbnapier wbnapier is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hgerhardt View Post
With today's 3d printing capabilities, you could just directly print a set from stainless via the DMLS process (rather than make tooling). All you need to do is reverse-engineer an original set to create a pair of .stl files. But seriously, even that is not that hard. Scan a set of originals and re-create the passageways by offsetting the OML inwards.
I wish someone with big bucks would start a company to simply 3D scan and catalog old automotive parts, so we have the files in perpetuity. It would be a worthwhile historical endeavor.

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Old 07-03-2020, 05:25 PM
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Ram-Air Restorations.

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Old 07-05-2020, 10:19 AM
mgarblik mgarblik is offline
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I think Ram Air Restorations and Ames both have availability of the D-port manifolds. That would need to be verified. Trying to find out anything from Ram Air Restorations is much like playing with a Rubic's cube. You have to twist all the right blocks and make everything align to get the clear answer. Phone calls are very difficult to connect, they don't return them. E-mails are returned 1 out of 20. When you finally make a connection, it isn't clear what is in stock, what is coming in the real near future, and what may or may not be available in the next few months, years, or decades, or never. It is rather frustrating. There is a real bottle neck for round port long branch manifolds for B body cars, some for F body as well. Aftermarket aluminum heads are the primary driver for the shortage of round port as many more of these heads are out there. HEY. WAKE UP VENDORS!! How about providing parts that are actually in demand?

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Old 07-07-2020, 01:15 PM
1968firebird455 1968firebird455 is offline
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I bought D ports with 2.5" collectors from Ames last year. No issues.

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Old 07-07-2020, 01:59 PM
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I think Paul is out of one side of the D port long branch.Owes my friend one side.Tom

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Old 07-07-2020, 03:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom s View Post
I think Paul is out of one side of the D port long branch.
Friend of mine got hold of him the other week and he's had supplier issues with them missing deadlines and not delivering, I think he might be in the process of moving too. I'm waiting on a set of D-port long branches too.

That said, as simple as it is for us to say we can go print some parts and roll in the dough, if it was that easy and simple it would be getting done already.

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Old 07-07-2020, 04:22 PM
grandam1979 grandam1979 is offline
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If it was easy everyone would make them. D port set on eBay for $850 that are almost rusted in half. The last set I got new we sent them back had very bad core shift and I have not seen a set since that was over a year ago.

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Old 07-07-2020, 05:18 PM
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3D printing in metal is still very expensive!VERY.Tom

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Old 07-08-2020, 12:07 AM
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Doesn't seem like anyone is desperate for a functional set of D-ports long branch manifolds.

Shameless plug http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=842129

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Old 07-08-2020, 12:15 AM
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Yes 3D metal printed parts are very expensive.

I had five prototype parts that will fit in the palm of your hand printed in steel. They cost $3000 a piece and took 2 days to print all five in one run!!

3D printing a steel manifold the size of these would require a much larger printer, take significantly longer to print, and thus cost a whole lot more.

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Old 07-08-2020, 12:38 AM
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Wouldn't it make more sense to 3D print a pattern for a cast part? Single printed metal part sounds mismatched for something with a market for hundreds or more ???

I'm curious how these are cast. What process? Can't they be iron sand-castings?

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