What to do?

Hey guys,
I still have a few things to prepare for before I send the engine off to be machined. I am still undecided about either keeping the stock Exhaust Manifolds, or going to headers. What do you guys think?
http://www.castheads.com/exhaust_folder/1exhaust_set.html
or maybe some Hookers, or Hedmans?
Also I don't know if I should use a different coil and distributor (if so which one would you guys recommend?)
The fuel pump, should I keep it manual, or go electric? As for the suspension, I am replacing all the bushings, should I do the springs?

Thanks guys
-Louis

http://fattyslims.com/vette/pics/Restoration%20Part%202/compressed/000_0022.jpg

http://fattyslims.com/vette/pics/Restoration%20Part%202/compressed/000_0023.jpg

new77guy said: Hey guys, I still have a few things to prepare for before I send the engine off to be machined. I am still undecided about either keeping the stock Exhaust Manifolds, or going to headers. What do you guys think? http://www.castheads.com/exhaust_folder/1exhaust_set.html or maybe some Hookers, or Hedmans? Also I don't know if I should use a different coil and distributor (if so which one would you guys recommend?) The fuel pump, should I keep it manual, or go electric? As for the suspension, I am replacing all the bushings, should I do the springs?

1 headers
2 MSD Coil and Dist
3 Holley Blue electric fuel pump
4 new springs

Good recommendations. I agree.

How much of a boost in HP can you expect from headers? I considered headers but my engine man said bad choice "they leak" I didn't ask leak what though I guess I should have.

Have another friend who restored a 72 and he is taking his headers off....too loud he said. I have the original mainifold, 2 1/2" dual exhaust and perfromance high flow mufflers and it sounds pretty mean.

properly installed headers dont leak anymore than properly installed exhaust manifolds.

you must use locking bolts.. dont just put any old bolt in them.

And loud is determined by the mufflers and the rest of the exhaust system, not the headers.

Any feedback on the HP increase? I need a few more just for good measure.

The HP boost is not a consistant number or percentage. The exact same headers will respond differently based on your engine, intake, cam, carburation, ignition, and the rest of the exhaust system.

And which headers also make a difference. Small tube or large tube headers respond quite differently on different engines.

Generally with a wild guess, with a stock SB and all other things original style, I would take a random guess of 10 to 25 HP.

Of course if you change mufflers, pipe etc, you would get different results. If you also change the cam you can really get big differences. Depending on your choices for all of these, you could gain 50 or more.

I recommend calling Summit Racing or a header manufacture and talking to the tech line. Give them all the information on your car, including tire size and gear ratios. They will be able to give you a more accurate estimate.

Well, after readign this information. I decided to throw together a complete almost final setup. So far this is what I have based on your guys's suggestions, and my own research:

Carb:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/carb_square.html
Look for part Number: 600 cfm, square-flange, electric choke ....#1406*

Intake manifold:
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/man_sbchev.html
Look for part number: Performer EPS (non-EGR) .....#2701*

Air Cleaner:
Edelbrock Pro-Flo Series:
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=eproduct.asp&N=120+4294925239+4294924498+300795&x=16&y=10

Headers:
Hedman Hi-Tech Coated Headers:
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=1318&prmenbr=361
Part Number: 500-68136

Fuel Pump:
110 GPH "Blue"
Electric Fuel Pump:
http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/FMS/FMSFP/12-802-1.html

Ignition:
MSD 6A PN 6200:
http://www.msdignition.com/ignition_4.htm

Spark Plugs:
Bosch platinum 2:
http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/SparkPlugs/Platinum2/
(Got to give it to the Germans on this one ;) )

Tranny:
Original 3SPD turbo 350 hydraulic tranny rebuilt w/ stage one shift kit.

Muffler/Exhaust:
American thunder exhaust/delta 80 mufflers

Engine Rebuild Info:
http://www.nvtengines.com/ :

Resurfaced crank
New RV1 cam
New stage one pistons
Resurfaced heads
L48 engine block bored .30 over
10:1 Compression ratio
No emssion restrictions :) ;)
Gaskets from Mr. Gasket

I'm, not to sure how the holley fuel pump will react witht he edlebrock carb. I perfer edlebrock over holley though, however I must say that holley makes an aswsome fuel pump. Here is a link to the cars progress pics:
http://fattyslims.com/vette/pics/
When I took the block apart I found no gaskets on anything where they should be one except for the intake, there was one, and it was torn :(

-Louis