Advice on headers please.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, Arizona, USA
Advice on headers please.
I'm keeping the exhaust manifolds with the original LT-1 motor and would like get headers for the ZZ4 i'm installing. Any thoughts? I noticed the spark plugs on the ZZ4 are angled, could this be a problem with the header I get? Also, how do I swage the end of the pipe?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: chatham ont
Re: Advice on headers please. (OO72LT1)
my advice would be a set of full length HOOKER headers for your vette.they seem to fit the best in a vette and arent that expensive.you will need to repipe the exhaust to the mufflers.have the headers acid cleaned if you can when you get them and then paint them with a good header paint they will look good.they are cheaper priced headers availble for vette but i have found hooker fits the best 1 5/8 size good luck
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 239
Likes: 5
From: Rochester NY
Re: Advice on headers please. (OO72LT1)
OO72LT1,
I would recomend Hooker Super Compteition 1 3/4" headers with ceramic coating, that's what I'm using and they bolt right on without any problem, the only plug that is hard to get to is #8 plug plenty of clearence for the spark plug boot. The ZZ4 has larger exhaust ports than the stock cylinder heads have, that's where the 1 3/4" pipes helps out no restrictions...
Hooker headers come with a 3 bolt flange welded on all you need is a couple of reducers to match up to your pipes you are going to use.
I would recomend Hooker Super Compteition 1 3/4" headers with ceramic coating, that's what I'm using and they bolt right on without any problem, the only plug that is hard to get to is #8 plug plenty of clearence for the spark plug boot. The ZZ4 has larger exhaust ports than the stock cylinder heads have, that's where the 1 3/4" pipes helps out no restrictions...
Hooker headers come with a 3 bolt flange welded on all you need is a couple of reducers to match up to your pipes you are going to use.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
Re: Advice on headers please. (OO72LT1)
I also used the Hooker Super Compteition 1 3/4" on my ZZ4. They worked the best for my application. I have a manual trans and they worked without flaw. I did make the mistake and did not buy the ceramic coated, and later had Airborne Coatings do the ceramic/black coating. I would have been cheaper to buy it already coated. Ceramic cuts down on the heat inside the engine compartment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Re: Advice on headers please. (kgraumann)
I'm using the Hooker comp headers and they fit like a champ. I had mine cermaic coated locally. They look OK, but not as good as Jet Hot, but not as costly either. Make sure you get some type of coating inside and outside. I have no problems with the headers melting my plug wires.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
Re: Advice on headers please. (Ken74Conv)
I tried hedman headers, but would not work with the steering damper on my model. I was told by hedman tech support they don't support headers on corvettes that use steering dampers. So I sent them back and got my money back. But that has been a year back, so they might have changed these by now.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Advice on headers please. (OO72LT1)
I still undecided on the headers or the 2 1/2 '84 SS tube Corvette manifolds I have.
I called Summitt and they want $299.95 + $179 for ceramic coating for the SUPER COMP.
The Competion std. header with ceramic coating is $320.95 or $141.95 without.
Question? Is the upgrade to the SUPER COMP's worth it? ....................I just know you're gonna tell me yes, right? JIM
I called Summitt and they want $299.95 + $179 for ceramic coating for the SUPER COMP.
The Competion std. header with ceramic coating is $320.95 or $141.95 without.
Question? Is the upgrade to the SUPER COMP's worth it? ....................I just know you're gonna tell me yes, right? JIM
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
Re: Advice on headers please. (Ken74Conv)
This confused me also, as I always thought that 78-82 had the steering dampers. But Hedman told me they did not always come with steering dampers.
It looks like a sideways shock absorber on your steering linkage, it is sideways between your front tires.
It looks like a sideways shock absorber on your steering linkage, it is sideways between your front tires.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Averill Park N.Y.
Re: Advice on headers please. (kgraumann)
I didn't know that was a damper. I thought it was a hydraulic cylinder.
It has lines in the end of it. I am about to replace mine because it is leaking. You think thats the piece Hedman can not accommodate?
It has lines in the end of it. I am about to replace mine because it is leaking. You think thats the piece Hedman can not accommodate?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
Re: Advice on headers please. (Ken74Conv)
Yes, that is what I was told by Hedman. I argued for sometime with their tech support, as I thought all corvettes 78-82 had them.
So I just bought Hooker, I paid a lot more for them, but in the long run came out better. They bolted up effortless.
So I just bought Hooker, I paid a lot more for them, but in the long run came out better. They bolted up effortless.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
Re: Advice on headers please. (PROSOUTH)
Well if your choice is between Dynomax 1 5/8" Jet Hot coated headers for $219 and Hooker Super Ceramic Coated for $470, then it depends on your horsepower level and driving style. AFAIK it sounds like 425-450 hp is about the crossing point where the benefits of 1 3/4" begin outweight those of the 1 5/8". However it also depends on your driving style as well, if you have a drag oriented car you'd probably want the larger ones, if you have a torquey street car, you can weight the benefits of the 1 5/8". I'm not sure what, if any, the advantages of the 1 5/8" Hooker Comps are over the cheaper, coated 1 5/8" dynomax.
Rob
Rob