Rage

I did not realize that the KE link did not work. Another try.
http://www.keitheickert.com/products/Exhaust/
All great comments/insight. Thanks.
For the record the KE cast aluminum manifold add says the exhaust runners are 32 " long. As far as why not in racing my guess would be the design inflexability of the KE unit which would not allow any tuning/design optimization that tube headers can more readily accomodate. Sounds like the tube ID polishing was an Extrude Hone type process. Expensive. Good question as to if this is still being done.

Rage

I called KE and asked. They do not Extrude Hone / polish the exhaust runner ID's. They are as cast.

There is only one BBC confirguration and it does not fit the 496.

James

We used these for years racing superboat class with KE 1100's 2 natioanl championships- Just got tired of repairing SS headers - Bolted the cast KE's on and never had an issue - they are not as sexy to look at as SS tube type but they have low initial cost and zero maintenance and do not have to be drained after every use -

speedygonzalez

that su**S because it sounds like it's a great product and I can't use it,it looks like CMI or has anyone heard or used the new lightning platinum fresh water jacketed headers for the 496 offered by CP performance? They seem to be @ half pri
ce of CMI, but how good are they?
I have called on them but they don't have any dyno test info.

bob

I'll bet if you knew what Merc was paying CMI for the pipes you would probably have a better understanding as to why they run them.

speedreeder

Is the only reason people say that most of the "manifold type" headers won't fit a 496 is because of the short riser or ?? I installed a 496 in a '96 Baja 240, closed cooled and put on regular EMI Thunder headers. It is on it's third year now with no problems!

baja27

I had the KE Headers on my old boat, and I did pick up 2mph on a stock 502mpi. The only problem I had with them was I sucked up mud and the header melted on the inside top portion of the runner! Back to stock it went.

cuda

I read that the only reason Merc changed exhaust is because the people who buy the Blue motors wanted the bling factor, not because they performed a whole lot better.

cuda

I disagree, I think they look cool as hell, but then again, I always like something that looks a little different than what every kid on the block has.

speedygonzalez

[QUOTE=speedreeder;2002561]Is the only reason people say that most of the "manifold type" headers won't fit a 496 is because of the short riser or ?? I installed a 496 in a '96 Baja 240, closed cooled and put on regular EMI Thunder headers. It is on it's third year now with no problems!
Now that you say that, the only thing that I remember is that the o2 sensor can not be installed without drilling and welding a nut for it but again I am not sure, I gues I have to do some more research.