C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

hugger or full headers ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 07:58 AM
  #1  
doug9208's Avatar
doug9208
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Default hugger or full headers ?

I have a '77, L-82 w/ TH 400. My 350 is rebuilt & ready to go back in. I have boxed the AIR system and EGR. Still using stock headed. I want to install ceramic headers but do not want clearance problems. So, block huggers or full length?

I also intend to use a 2.5" dual exhaust. I'm thinking a stock dual set up for a '74 should work. (?)

I'm sure several in the forum have done this so please provide wisdom learned form your experience. On the headers I would appreciate brand and part # if you can. Thanks.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 09:34 AM
  #2  
Roughrider's Avatar
Roughrider
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Default

Block huggers will give you clearance...full length headers will give you greater performance, but both give better performance than stock manifolds.

Block huggers will likely fit up to stock dual exhaust, full length will require custom mods to the exhaust.

It all depends on which you think is most important.

I don't have a part number but think Sanderson headers are the best. The quality is outstanding and they have the thickest flanges you'll see...no leaking and no bolts backing out. No headers last forever...buy top quality and you won't have to replace them nearly as often. I have Sanderson block huggers on a car and have had absolutely no problems with them.

Last edited by Roughrider; Jan 15, 2008 at 09:37 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 10:49 AM
  #3  
L82shark's Avatar
L82shark
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I went with full length Hedmans ceramic 3/8 flange, was worried about plug wires and access with the huggers.
Going into a Pypes racepro dual exhaust on my 78
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 11:10 AM
  #4  
brs6482's Avatar
brs6482
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Rockingham NC
Default Block headers

I went with block headers....got tired of dragging, and leaking. Here what mine look like.
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:24 PM
  #5  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

I did not know there were any small block headers with 1 7/8" in primary tubes out there until I went to the Sanderson site and looked at their block huggers.

For my 427ci small block I am considering these block huggers as the collector is 3 inch and would dump directly into my 3 in exhaust system. I have heard of performance difference between these and full length headers but I cannot see how you would loose anything in setup I have described above. I hope someone can shed some light on this.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:27 PM
  #6  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by brs6482
I went with block headers....got tired of dragging, and leaking. Here what mine look like.
Sweet headers where did you get them and if you don’t mind me asking how much? PM me if you like that looks like what I have been looking for
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
brs6482's Avatar
brs6482
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Rockingham NC
Default

They are Sanderson just like Mr. Motorhead was talking about. They are pretty pricey but well worth it. You cannot beat the quality!! Here is the link.

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/guide_mm_corvette.php
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:59 PM
  #8  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by brs6482
They are Sanderson just like Mr. Motorhead was talking about. They are pretty pricey but well worth it. You cannot beat the quality!! Here is the link.

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/guide_mm_corvette.php

I am glad I seen your post I was just about to go with hooker but was worried about dragging and had not seen a visually pleasing good alternative. Thanks for the info ...... now back to our regular scheduled program.

OP: sorry for the hijack
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 02:55 PM
  #9  
Scott Marzahl's Avatar
Scott Marzahl
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,339
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
Default

Hookers have some of the least amount of ground clearance. Check these Stan's headers out as well. Another top of the line header.

http://www.stans-headers.com/tri_y.htm
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 07:04 PM
  #10  
doug9208's Avatar
doug9208
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Default

I checked on the Sanderson headers. $385 for ceramic block hugger style for my application. 1.5" primary and 2.5" collectors. More than I wanted to pay but I DO NOT want to be changing these later.

Why do manufacturers say not to use ceramic headers when braking in a new engine ?

Last edited by doug9208; Jan 15, 2008 at 07:05 PM. Reason: typo
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 07:37 PM
  #11  
MN80Vette's Avatar
MN80Vette
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Default

I had block huggers on my GM 350 HO and got tired of burning up spark plug wires and melting poly motor mounts. I had to dimple the headers to get the spark plug wires on, and I had to remove the headers to change spark plugs.

I switched to full length Dynomax ceramic coated headers from Summit. They are swept back from center of the heads so they don't cook my spark plug wires, and I don't have to remove the headers to change plugs. I haven't had any problem with ground clearance either, and I adjusted my suspension to ride lower than normal.

I changed to true dual pipes when I switched to full length headers, so I can't say how much performance improvement I got from full length headers alone. The performance was obvious on my butt-o-meter.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 07:52 PM
  #12  
L82shark's Avatar
L82shark
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by doug9208
I checked on the Sanderson headers. $385 for ceramic block hugger style for my application. 1.5" primary and 2.5" collectors. More than I wanted to pay but I DO NOT want to be changing these later.

Why do manufacturers say not to use ceramic headers when braking in a new engine ?
never heard that, I broke my truck engine in a couple of years ago, no problems.......
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 08:45 PM
  #13  
Scott Marzahl's Avatar
Scott Marzahl
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,339
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
Default

That is their warranty disclaimer, you can ruin the ceramic coating and it will peel off if the engine is not set up correctly, too lean etc. I've seen Ceramic coated headers rust as well.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 08:50 PM
  #14  
L82shark's Avatar
L82shark
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Scott Marzahl
That is their warranty disclaimer, you can ruin the ceramic coating and it will peel off if the engine is not set up correctly, too lean etc. I've seen Ceramic coated headers rust as well.
they did turn brown a little..... but it hasnt gotten any worse since, thanks
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2008 | 08:57 PM
  #15  
Binnie77's Avatar
Binnie77
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Default

Patriots are 1 5/8" primary and 2 1/2" collector. These are the ones I am running on my ZZ4. $249 ceramic coated.

Reply
Old Jan 16, 2008 | 12:24 PM
  #16  
Casper's Avatar
Casper
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
Default

Ceramic coated full length headers are on my 454 but I had to dimple them a few places like around the steering box.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #17  
doug9208's Avatar
doug9208
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Default

this pic does not show wires on yet. anticipate any problems?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To hugger or full headers ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:54 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE