just took the exhaust manifolds off my 3800 96 camaro and there were three extra shim type manifold gaskets on each side in addition to the thicker gasket with the curved top. the head set just came with one thicker gasket. do i need to get replacement shims? i am original owner so these gaskets are factory

 

Not that I know of. All the writeups/questions I have seen make no mention of keeping them. Did you mean header set?

 

Might want to look into some headers instead, as long as they're off...

 

Get some new GM gaskets. They are 3 layer steel and will seal better than your paper gaskets. Also Fel-Pro single layers are better than your paper gaskets, but they will leak if they aren't placed just right.