Which headers fit the best?
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,463
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
thanks for that. i was really considering ordering those headers because i'm tired of fighting with the block-huggers. if you go with the hookers, post which ones you get and how they fit. i'll either be doing that or the stan's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
For what it's worth, I would not bother with full length headers for the street. Shorty headers (not block huggers) fit perfectly, have no road clearance issues, and give much if not more of the benefit of full length headers on the street. I use McJack's shorty headers which are an exact copy dimensionally to the OEM exhaust manifolds in a shorty header form and hook right up to a stock exhaust system. Check out the link below about Sanderson headers for more info:
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/tech_get_technical.php
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/tech_get_technical.php
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
For what it's worth, I would not bother with full length headers for the street. Shorty headers (not block huggers) fit perfectly, have no road clearance issues, and give much if not more of the benefit of full length headers on the street. I use McJack's shorty headers which are an exact copy dimensionally to the OEM exhaust manifolds in a shorty header form and hook right up to a stock exhaust system. Check out the link below about Sanderson headers for more info:
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/tech_get_technical.php
http://www.sandersonheaders.com/tech_get_technical.php
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Traditional block huggers are dimensionally NOT the same as the stock exhaust manifolds. They require a front head pipe that will fit them. Another words you cannot use an OEM type exhaust pipe with them since the header collector is much lower down the side of the block on either side. I use McJack's and, I believe Sanderson's, will hook right up to an OEM exhaust head pipe. There are also clearance issues with traditional block huggers for access to the plugs, not with McJack's, again, they are hand built to mimic the dimensions of the stock exhaust Ram horn manifold but in a shorty header form. Hope that this helps. Google McJacks for a picture.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
i know its out of your price range but if you want the best set of headers for your vette then this is the place to go.
http://www.mcjackscorvettes.com/headerspage.htm
http://www.mcjackscorvettes.com/headerspage.htm
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 11
no need to spend hundreds - the summit and jegs store brand work just as good and fit great. i have used them several times on daily drivers over the last 15 years and the price is a bonus at under a hundred bucks!
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
I installed dynamax ceramic coated from summit on a 81 with auto. No problem with fit. Bought dual system from mid america and retro fit to headers. One trip to exhaust shop for custom bend. Total cost for all including hangers and clamps was about $800.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Were they a full length header? or a shorty. Part number would be handy.lolol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Guys, I agree that there are many many choices for headers and dual exhaust/mufflers. I used Mcjack's headers since I wanted a better exhaust manifold than the OEM Ramhorn, which is quite good on its own but not a header, and a shorty header that would fit easily in the engine compartment, clear all accessories easily, have easy access to plugs/no plug wire issues, would involve zero road clearance issues, AND hook directly to a stock type/OEM dual exhaust with no modifications. Can you mimic the setup for less? Absolutely but not meeting the above criteria. The McJacks headers cost $600, 2.5 in Stainless Steel True duals were $300 (Mid America-I would not recommend since they did not fit right and I had to cut to make them fit right, nothing to do with the headers. They were put on originally with the Ramhorn OEM Exhaust manifolds), and $100/set for the Monza Turbo Mufflers (20 years ago). My total cost: $1,000. Obviously that price would be more today depending on the mufflers, which are so much more expensive now. Just my 2 cents!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
I have the same headers on my car (except with air tubes) in the coated version and they fit fine, apart from the aforementioned idler arm tightness (even with new motor mounts)
Be interesting to see whats going on with your car that they are not fitting right.
Ground clearance is fine, never hit anything with the headers.
Be interesting to see whats going on with your car that they are not fitting right.
Ground clearance is fine, never hit anything with the headers.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
Grumpy, Just looked up old reciept from summit. 2/18/08 WKL-86008
Yes they are long tube 1 5/8 inch. The headers dont hange down so far so the collecters do not scrap the ground. Infact the lowest part is where the exhaust goes under the diff. I do have 2 spark plug boots that come real close to the tubes but no burnt boots after 4000 miles.
Yes they are long tube 1 5/8 inch. The headers dont hange down so far so the collecters do not scrap the ground. Infact the lowest part is where the exhaust goes under the diff. I do have 2 spark plug boots that come real close to the tubes but no burnt boots after 4000 miles.
