which header?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: fairfax va
which header?
i have an 1980 corvette with a 350, AFR heads. currently i have a set of cheap Flowtech headers. they are very tight on 2 of the plugs and i keep burnin up my wires. i would not mind spending some cash on a real nice set that is full length and set up to work well with what i have. any suggestions from u would be great. btw i want to keep full exhaust, no sidepipes. thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I have Hooker Super Comps on mine, no complaints at all. I have factory A/C and it's a 4 spd, and no fitment issues. I would recommend having them ceramic coated as I did, but not from the factory. Order htem plain, fit them up, then send them off to be coated, just in case there is a fitment issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 2
From: Scottdale Pa
I've got Dynomax ceramic coated headers with true dual Maggies. I did have a problem with heat melting a plug wire. I don't recall which plug, but I went with shorty plugs and that solved the heat/ melting problems. I think the Dynomax were about $310.00 from Summit two years ago and they fit great, no bending or denting to get them to fit and no leaks 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
I went with the Sanderson cast headers. I believe they have a lot of flow. qp1000 I think.[model number] The ports on them more than big enough for the AFR's. I was concerned that 1 and 5/8 headers would not work with the AFR's. Your paying for flow there and you don't want tubes smaller than the ports on the heads. I did this research by matching the felpro exhaust gasket AFR calls out for the head with the headers I had and decided to get the Sanderson's Also these cast Sanderson's are going to allow plenty of room for the jeep steering box as they really hug the cylinder head. So I won't be cooking the steering box. And they are ceramic coated. Seeing how you can't hardly wear them out look for a used set on ebay if you want them.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I have long tube ceramic coated Dynomax headers on my '80 and like them a lot. I switched from block huggers because I had major spark plug boot burn problems, no spark plug clearance on 2 cylinders, and they melted my motor mounts.
Note that if you choose full length headers, your left pipe will need a really sharp bend to route it to the right side like stock. Here's a picture showing the problem:
Instead, I recommend you route the left pipe near-straight back like this:
You will need to modify your cross member to get the same ground clearance under the left pipe as you have under the right. The modification is pretty simple to do with an air cutoff tool and a short piece of 4" exhaust pipe.
Note that if you choose full length headers, your left pipe will need a really sharp bend to route it to the right side like stock. Here's a picture showing the problem:
Instead, I recommend you route the left pipe near-straight back like this:
You will need to modify your cross member to get the same ground clearance under the left pipe as you have under the right. The modification is pretty simple to do with an air cutoff tool and a short piece of 4" exhaust pipe.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Lyons IL
Went with Hooker Long tube ceramic coated on my 71 with 2.5 " chamber exhaust no fit problem and so far no plug problem. I would say fit is tight but works. I installed them from bottom up so car needs to be raised. Sorry no installed pictures at this time.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Any body have clearance issue with the shift linkage on a TH-350. Mine is too close for my liking. i need to see if i can figure out what header they are? What header fits well with a 2-1/2 " pipe and a TH-350?