383 Exhaust Manifold Swap to Get Rid of Heat Valve?

[riffraff]

Is it possible to swap an OEM driver's side exhaust manifold to the passenger's side to get rid of the manifold heat valve on a 383?

I have center dump on the driver's side, and rear dump with the heat valve on the passenger's side. Will a center dump driver's side fit on the passenger's side head ok? Not worried about re-configuring the tubing, and I have tons of room. Really want to get rid of the not-in-use heat valve, and seems a lot easier than fitting full headers, and near about the same as fitting shorty headers.

[dodgeboykim]

Just remove the heat stat choke thingy and put bolts into holes or drill and fit steel rod in tightly and peen/stake the ends.

[riffraff]

Just remove the heat stat choke thingy and put bolts into holes or drill and fit steel rod in tightly and peen/stake the ends.

Yeah, that's another option. I'd really like to do away with the whole thing, if I can.

[Txas2step]

A center dump should fit just fine.

[riffraff]

Pretty interesting article, from 2001, comparing Mopar iron manifolds, vs Hedman headers, short and full length. I wouldn't have thought the Mopar Magnum iron manifold would have scored so poorly; they certainly look cool. Can't imagine how badly the center dumps would compare...

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tech ... ewall.html

[712edf]

Pretty interesting article, from 2001, comparing Mopar iron manifolds, vs Hedman headers, short and full length. I wouldn't have thought the Mopar Magnum iron manifold would have scored so poorly; they certainly look cool. Can't imagine how badly the center dumps would compare...

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tech ... ewall.html

I wish they had shown the differences (if any), below 3000 rpm, which is where the engine operates a good portion of the time.

Bucky

[712edf]

[riffraff]

Pretty interesting article, from 2001, comparing Mopar iron manifolds, vs Hedman headers, short and full length. I wouldn't have thought the Mopar Magnum iron manifold would have scored so poorly; they certainly look cool. Can't imagine how badly the center dumps would compare...

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tech ... ewall.html

I wish they had shown the differences (if any), below 3000 rpm, which is where the engine operates a good portion of the time.

Bucky

Yeah, that would be useful for us. They show an odd HP drop from 3200 to 3000 that isn't reflected in the torque numbers. Also, have to wonder how much time they spent tuning A/F with each manifold.

[riffraff]

So, I just ordered a set of these. Hopefully, a relatively painless installation...

http://www.1aauto.com/exhaust-manifold/i/1aeem00081

[riffraff]

Well, I decided to stay OEM, and period correct. Found a set of manifolds that matched my driver's side, from a local drag racer, and had them ceramic coated. Turns out, the passenger's side was cracked, anyway. I have the tailpipe cobbled together, until the muffler shop can get to it: