Picture an LS sitting between the fenders of an old Chevy pickup. The engine’s in, the radiator’s hung, and you finally get to pull the turbos out of their boxes and hold them up where you figured they’d go. One wants to live where the upper radiator hose goes. Move it a couple of inches and now the downpipe wants a word. Pretty soon, you’re leaning over the fender wondering how an engine bay that looked so big yesterday got so small.

That’s where the Chevy LS Straight-Exit Turbo Header from Stainless Headers Mfg. comes in. Its compact log manifolds bolt to LS1 and LS6 cylinder heads, with straight outlets aimed down and forward. If there’s room to work lower in the bay, that outlet position gives you a place to start laying out the hot side.

Bolt It Up and See Where Everything Lands

Stainless Headers builds these manifolds from heavy-wall, American-made stainless steel pipe to handle the heat and vibration of turbo duty. The modular pieces bolt together, so you can hang the manifolds and work out where the turbos will sit without firing up the TIG. That’s also why Stainless Headers recommends starting with the base manifolds and picking your turbo inlet elbows after you’ve settled on a mounting position. If the route you need takes an odd turn, the company can make custom elbows.

While you’re holding parts up to the engine, take a look at the heater-core outlets on the factory water pump. The down-and-forward layout needs clearance there. Stainless Headers lists a few ways to get it, including 90-degree fittings, a short bypass hose between the outlets, a truck-style water pump, or an aftermarket electric pump. Ceramic coating, exhaust gas temperature bungs, and wastegate provisions are also available when you configure the headers.