best coated headers for C3
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Fairmount IN
best coated headers for C3
I looked in the search and could not find what i had read a few months earlier....... I have a 76 SB w/ a 4 speed and looking for Ceramic Coated Headers and i thought that some guys were happy with Summiit Brand headers or maybe it was another brand that they bought out of Summit.
Any pics or part #'s would be great......OH and how hard were they to put on?
Thanks,
Sid
Any pics or part #'s would be great......OH and how hard were they to put on?
Thanks,
Sid
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
I bought Flowtech, silver ceramic coated. They rusted before a year was up, and I only ran the car for 5 minutes in that year. I am very unhappy with them, and now headers are back on my "to do " list.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Omaha Ne
I just bought a 76 L48 4-speed. Who makes the "best fitting" with ceramic coating? I don't want to get a coated header and then have to beat on a tube for it to fit. Then mess up the coating trying to get it to fit. Just thought I'd add that also.(fitting) Do Doug Thorley headers fitt nice? Without any mods.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Nanty Glo PA
I bought the Stan's Tri-Y's with the ceramic coating (2000deg.). Came with everything I needed to mount including graphite gaskets. They are pricey.... I paid $740 shipped to my door. I'm VERY happy with them!!
They are of very high quality and fit with no problems. My buddy bought a pair of Super comps for his 74 at the same time I bought these. No comparison. The Hookers aren't even in the same ball park. Just depends on what your budget is.
Here is the link:
http://www.stans-headers.com/gm_headers.htm
They are of very high quality and fit with no problems. My buddy bought a pair of Super comps for his 74 at the same time I bought these. No comparison. The Hookers aren't even in the same ball park. Just depends on what your budget is.
Here is the link:
http://www.stans-headers.com/gm_headers.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I just bought a 76 L48 4-speed. Who makes the "best fitting" with ceramic coating? I don't want to get a coated header and then have to beat on a tube for it to fit. Then mess up the coating trying to get it to fit. Just thought I'd add that also.(fitting) Do Doug Thorley headers fitt nice? Without any mods.
I have them on a '64 and they fit great. They required absolutely no dimpling anywhere and leave plenty of clearance for the starter and steering box.
The most "iffy" point is that the flange that meets the downpipe is very close to the firewall at the driver's floor board (plenty on passenger side). I just laid a piece of aluminum "foil" along that spot on the firewall.
I imagine that the fittling on a C3 around the floor area would vary from mine a bit.
Last edited by toddalin; May 16, 2010 at 08:13 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Shelby Twp. Michigan
I do ceramic coating on headers. I'll tell ya you should buy an uncoated set of headers, trial fit and run them before coating. If you need to dimple a tube for clearence, you don't want to beat up an expensive coating. Also it'll let ya tune the car. nine outta ten times people will put a header on an untuned car and dull the coating out in the first ten minutes. If it runs too fat, or too lean it'll dull out.
On another note, I just bought, coated and installed a set of Hooker competition headers on my wifes 77. I was amazed at how easy they went in! I cut a three inch section out of the header flange between the tubes to help prevent leaks. Plus I didn't have to remove the dip stick tube!
If you have any other questions about header coatings, feel free to ask.
On another note, I just bought, coated and installed a set of Hooker competition headers on my wifes 77. I was amazed at how easy they went in! I cut a three inch section out of the header flange between the tubes to help prevent leaks. Plus I didn't have to remove the dip stick tube!
If you have any other questions about header coatings, feel free to ask.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: Belair Md
headers
I will not recommend hookers ceramic coated.my eng was tuned ran in the headers were installed and the car sat in a dry body shop for a year every time I looked at the car I saw more rust contacted hooker they told me the car must have sat in the weather for a long time. BULLSHYT! I paid 650.00 for crap I never buy from company twice when when I get screwed. Go STAINLESS I would rather have a little blue than rust.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Arizona
I do ceramic coating on headers. I'll tell ya you should buy an uncoated set of headers, trial fit and run them before coating. If you need to dimple a tube for clearence, you don't want to beat up an expensive coating. Also it'll let ya tune the car. nine outta ten times people will put a header on an untuned car and dull the coating out in the first ten minutes. If it runs too fat, or too lean it'll dull out.
.
.
Rather play it safe. It might cost you a little more in doing it that way but well worth it. Although at the same token if using our coating putting clearance dents in the tubes would not be an issue as our coatings will take close to a 180° bend before you damage the coating itself.
Just personal opinion though I would rather test fit prior to coating.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Glen Carbon il
sanderson cast iron headers
I'm running Sanderson Cast Iron headers. Had to open them up to match up to the "D" port on the Fast Burn Heads.
I went with the Cast Iron because they are quiet and dont "ping" like tube headers and they seem to hold up well. been on the car since 2003.
coated with cast blast but now need another coat after 7 years.
I went with the Cast Iron because they are quiet and dont "ping" like tube headers and they seem to hold up well. been on the car since 2003.
coated with cast blast but now need another coat after 7 years.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: McLouth Kansas
I have Hooker ceramic coated headers and side pipes,,,,,the headers are doing fine after 3 years,,,my problem are the small rock chips that are on the pipes just behind the front tires,,,,in a couple more years I will need to get them redone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
The Flowtech ceramics from summit fit perfectly, no significant rust after about a year, but your experience may vary. I like them, they fit right out of the box with no dimpling on a manual, easy install from below. Can't go wrong for 265.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Already appears to have some rust along the flanges.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
