Okay those who have patiently waited......the latest pre-production pictures of the soon to be released Tri-Y headers for 2nd generation firebirds.
These headers have been painstakenly formed to gain unobstructed access to the engine starter and oil filter. They also provide excellent ground clearance over anything short of an exhaust manifold. Those of you who own a firebird with lowered suspension will appreciate that!
These will be available in D-port and O-port configurations with primary tube size of 1.75" with 2.5" dia. and 3" dia. collectors! Also, features a 3/8" thick mounting flange which virtually eliminates any warpage.
Thanks to "TUNNELPORT" Ron for his time, hard work and persiverance to see this product through.

Okay those who have patiently waited......the latest pre-production pictures of the soon to be released Tri-Y headers for 2nd generation firebirds.
These headers have been painstakenly formed to gain unobstructed access to the engine starter and oil filter. They also provide excellent ground clearance over anything short of an exhaust manifold. Those of you who own a firebird with lowered suspension will appreciate that!
These will be available in D-port and O-port configurations with primary tube size of 1.75" with 2.5" dia. and 3" dia. collectors! Also, features a 3/8" thick mounting flange which virtually eliminates any warpage.
Thanks to "TUNNELPORT" Ron for his time, hard work and persiverance to see this product through.

Well said Larry. I'm signed up with Ron for a set. I'm pretty exited to get my mitts on a set when they are done. Looks like Ron is sweating the details. Nice job and thanks Ron!

Hi Larry,

These look great. When will they be available and what neighborhood do you think they price will be in?

How is the bolt accessability on these. I know with most headers on Ponchos, getting at some of the bolts is a major pain.

What are they made of (material and gauge)? They look really nice in the picture, almost like stainless.

It would be really cool to be able to change my oil without having to drop the headers.

Good work as always.

VERY nice, Larry!

Looks interesting enough that even I might try a set on my Formula.

As far as bolt access, from this one view it appears that the only PITA bolt will be the fourth one back on the passenger side.

Any idea for planned release date?

Whom would I contact for ordering info?

Any plans for dyno testing with comparisons to R.A.R.E. manifolds, other brands of headers, etc.?

PLEASE keep us informed!

I have a 69 428 in my 79 T/A. will these work with an older engine? Also interested in the price.

Hi guys,
From this angle it looks like a tight fit for the #6 bolt. I was told it's not as tight as it looks. I made sure that they were designed with these things in mind:
#1 The headers are made from 14 gauge steel rather than the thinner 16 gauge that the original H O's were. #2 They have 3/8 flanges for better gasket seal. #4 The starter & oil filter are easily accessible.#5 They install easily since not everyone has access to a hoist & must resort to jack stands. #6 Make #'s 5 & 6 header bolts easy to reach. #7 Clearance around A-arms & steering column to keep from having to put any major dents in tubes & not lock up steering like the 1st D-ports had done on 4-speed cars. #8 fit both auto & 4-speed cars. #9 Be offered in both the original 2 & 1/2"collector & a 3"collector, for those of you who think bigger is better & have expressed that in previous posts. #10 All while offering maximum ground clearance over any other header while providing outstanding performance.
Now I will have to say that I did fail in one spot & that's # 10. The 3" collector will be 3/4" below frame & the 2 & 1/2 collector will be around 1/4" to 1/2 below the frame. Sorry but with all the improvements listed that's the best outcome we could get. Witch is still a lot more clearance than any 4 tubed header clearance. Like I said before I only wanted to make available a well made, quality header that I would want to buy for my own car & this is it.
I'll try to get more pics soon to post. But now for the price, the original selling price was $389 a set, before the additional setup & redesigning cost & price of steel went up among other things. The selling price is as follows 2 & 1/2" collector = $425 set & $445 with 3" collector. For ether O or D-port. If you want them thermal coated its $185 extra.

Thanks Ron

I spoke to them to day & will be getting more pics on Mon. Also they said that they fit so nicely that you dont even have to lift the motor to get them in. Even though it would still be a good idea to lift it so not to scratch the headers.

Ron

Will be very interesting to see someone dyno these against ram air manifolds and 4 tube headers just to see where they fall in line. That 1 bolt still looks like the same ol PITA, but its hard to tell from that one picture and angle though.

Briann,
I have other 6-7 more pics from other angles. Even some with them installed from the bottom that shows clearance around A-arms & starter. But I dont know how to post them. Thats why Larry posted these ones for me.

Ron

76TA428,
Im 99% sure they would work with your setup. I beleave the only diff is the motor mounts on your setup.You could email me some pics of you motor mounts from the bottom view of your car & I'll see if theres any problem. Also if you bought them & they didnt fit because of the mounts being different then I'd gladly let you return them with a refund.

pic

pics

pics.

pics..

pics...

pics....

When you doing some for the Round Port 64 GTO
body style?

Tom V.

Good shots of the install. I have a Milodon oil pan that kicks out on both sides and im not sure if the starter is going to interfere with that side of pipes though. I have ram air manifolds now and the starter is 1/8" from the flange because i had to clock the mini starter that much to clear the pan kickout. I'll probably get a set of round ports just to check them out. Have a picture of a 4 speed install and z bar clearance?

Tom,
I have GTOs in mind also but I'll have to see if these sell or brake me first. I will also have a few R/A V's made because I'll need a set for my Formula455. So I'll make a real short run of those with 1 & 7/8"primaries to 2 & 1/2" to 3"collector.

Briann,
I'm told I'll have pics on Mon of the Z-bar installed.

hi, nice pics and sweet headers!
Just a newby question but is the tri y design suppose to be better than the four tube header design? Just wondering how these compare to the hooker super comps or dougs...500 sum thing are pretty expensive if u ask an 18 year old going to college and commuting on a 77 trans am with gas being $2.11.

P.S. Going to get a WFO asembly for my car..jst wondering what da shipping will be if shipped to Southern CAli..Thanks

They have a better scavenging effect at the collectors that makes more torque than 4-tubed headers. They will flow about the same as 4-tubed when new unless its a 1000hp or more motor. But they will out flow the 4-tubed haeder by a lot after a few speed bumps smash the 2 bottom tubes on the Hooker Comps. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...on_biggrin.gif

Ron

You could not be more correct on the smashed tubes!

The ground clearance issue is really a positive deal.
Example, with the current 2" Headman race headers installed on my car the bottom of the collectors are about 3-3/4" below the subframe. That approx 3" difference is a big deal and I'm using the car more often on the street with the current pump gas motor.
My current 2" headers are left over from the previous 700hp/7000+ rpm combination and I've been considering a change.... for ground clearance issues plus the computer program suggests a 1-7/8" size is the hot ticket.
So my interest in the 1-7/8" size.
I have read that the Tri-Y design lends itself to street applications because, by design, it pairs cylinders by fireing order for improved flow. This reportably is good for low and midrange. (not that everyone needs more low end grunt! You can only apply so much power on the street)
I look forward to seeing the dyno testing comparing the entire power band against a set of 4-tube headers.

Steve,
I also would like to see a test between the 4-tube & tri-y's. But due to lack of funding it cant be done until after a full order or two are sold. Im not a big name pontiac suplier or born into $. Im just like 99% of the other pontiac guys, I work & theres not much over the bills as it is. This project has pushed me to the limmit on funds & loss of family time. Right now you guys probly like me more than my wife on this issue http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...n_rolleyes.gif. So $500-$1000 for a Dyno test isnt going to happen at this time.
Needles to say if they dont sell, then only the guys who got the 1st & only batch would be able to (after anyone doing a Dyno test of some sort)say "Boy its a good thing I got a set".
Maybe theres someone that could step forward for the cause & take a risk to donate some Dyno time. With the understanding that, if it did turn out that many sets sold I'd be happy to pay for it then & If not they would get some good shop promo time with the pontiac guys.

Anyone? http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...icon_smile.gif

Ron

P.S I'm still playing to weekly lotto just in case, but youknow ho that goes. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...n_rolleyes.gif

Is any one going to do a Dyno on there motor in the next week or so? Maybe I could arange to help with the cost if you use the Tri-y & 4-tube. Perferably in Ca but I cant get that picky on were it is, just I would like to watch.

Thanks
Ron

Ground clearance with 3" collector

That is excellant!

Sweet Ron!!! The 2.5's should be perfect for my car.

Any 4 speed pics yet???

Formula8,
No pics yet, but they confirmed that they will fit 4-speed & there is enough room for Z-bar.

Ok guys They just finished the D-port patern & the setup is completed for both O & D-ports. I'll have to know how many O & D ports & 3" or 2 1/2 collectors in by next week for them to start bending & welding. AFTER THAT I CAN'T ADD TO THIS ORDER. Because they do each bend & weld for all them at the same time & adding in the middle of run is not as productive. After I place that order it would be 2-3 weeks to ship but IT COULD TAKE MONTHS TO WORK UP ANOTHER MIN ORDER OR THIS MAY BE THE ONLY ORDER due to lack of sales. So if anyone needs them then speak up now or you may not get another chance.

Thanks Ron

I am assuming the O ports and D ports will fit the 4 speed cars? i know there is one well know header manufacturer out there where the O ports will only fit the 4 speeds.

briann,
I'm like the Marines "I leave no man behind". http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...on_biggrin.gif Of corse, I made sure both D & O-ports are "4-speed friendly"

So how long would it take to get the headers to me if I was to place an order today?

Jonathan Holloway,

After order is placed they say it will take about 2 weeks to complete & ready to ship. Any sets that are thermal coated will take a week longer because it is sent out for coating.

Ron

Thanks Ron,

I'm already in for a set of O-ports with 2.5" collectors. If you can't get a pic with the Z-bar in place, you will have one within a day of receiving my headers. Drop me an email when you are ready to ship.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,
Great, but also I'd like to get a pic of each customer, car & motor. That way I can put a face & car with the screen name in the future.
Don't forget any coments on the install, how it sounds & perfomance diff.
Ron

I'm pretty far from being up and running again so I'll have to wait for the pleasure of hearing the sound again but everthing else should be no problem.

Steve

Ron,

I am new to the boards and would like to order a set if the 1st order is still open. I did send you email with my private email address.

Thanks,

Jim Staub

Hi Jim,
Let me be the 1st to say welcome to the board. Yes I can take the orders up to next Fri 7/23 as long as payment is in by then. I sent you an email.

Thanks Ron

Ron-
I was thinking of installing these on the 72 T/A I have all stock. I will bring this car to the strip with stock exhaust and see what it runs. I will then run the new tri-y to see if any difference. Will keep in touch and post the results.
Chris

I am in for a set of O ports with 2 1/2"!

Mark

Thanks soupman,
That will go good with the Dyno info that Byron (screen name bmpmdf) who is going to be in the Eng Masters contest & will have diff motor on the dyno in about a week or so. Its projected to have around 400-450Hp. So I'll test a 4-tube, a O-port Try-y & R/A manifold & post the results.

Heres a link to the pics & prices

http://www.bbgraphics1.com/tri-y/

OK Ron:

I've been watching this thread since it started, and I'm convinced!

I'll be sending you an e-mail. Please count me in for a set of thermal coated round ports with the 2.5" collector.

Thanks!

I am wondering if the 2.5" collector is the way to go since its a tri y design and having a 3" collector might not help out with flow all that much since its not a 4 tube design. Its only the 2 larger tubes entering into that area for the collector and not 4. One might be able to just run a 3" pipe off of the 2.5" collector to help with the ground clearance issuse only with the 3" collector.

Brian,
I confirmed with the header co that the 2 1/2" would more likely have more scavenging effect to it than the 3" would. Because its a smaller step up in size. So you may not have as much response at lower RPMs with the 3". I am going with the 2 1/2" myself not only for the added ground clearance but for the better response. & since I wont have both a 3" & 2 1/2" at the same time for the Dyno test, I wont be able to test that idea for a while.

Ron

I have 3" pipe on now in anticipation for the supercharger setup, but I know its hurting me low end right now before I get to that point in project. I think the 2.5" collector size will be just fine as long as everything behind it is free flowing.

Thanks

I run a set of the original round-port HO Tri-Y headers on a '64 GTO bracket car. The car has a full 3" exhaust hooked up to the 2-1/2" collector, makes for great mid-range and pretty decent top-end power.

The engine is a fairly mild 455 with 8.6:1 compression, the '71 HO heads have some bowl work and very minor port clean-up. Runs the HC-03 cam (244/252,.550/.554" w/1.65s) and a stock Torker II/650 DP Holley.

Best ET (3550# race weight):[email protected] http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...on_biggrin.gif

Even with the small carb and 2-1/2" collector it wants to rev to 6K, but I shift it at 5200. You can make very good power with Tri-Y headers.

These headers cost $350 OVER 10 YEARS AGO. http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...s/icon_eek.gif

The new version being offered by TUNNEL PORT is a must-have for 2nd-gen bird owners and they are priced right. Don't blow what very well might be your only chance to get your hands on a great set of headers. http://pysales.com/images/sweat.gif

Well my problem is I have ported D ports on now id like the tri-y's for, but will most likely be throwing the SD heads back on this winter so I have to decide on which version to buy as I cant quite afford D and O ports together unless he has a buy 1 get 1 free offer. LOL