Are these cheap headers any good.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
Are these cheap headers any good.
O.K, i'm on a budget so looking at the low end of the market.
These seem like really good value.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2456HKR/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-11106FLT/
Has anyone had any experience with them and would they make a difference over the stock cast iron units.
L48 stock at present but will be changing cam and heads over time.
These seem like really good value.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2456HKR/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-11106FLT/
Has anyone had any experience with them and would they make a difference over the stock cast iron units.
L48 stock at present but will be changing cam and heads over time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 15
From: Valdosta Georgia
I've got the summit brand painted headers on my 82, they installed fine, no fitment issues and sealed up fine. You will want to strip them and high temp paint them before you install them, the paint on them is just for shipping, it will burn off when you run the engine, ask me how I know, lol
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
I have different cam installed in mine (not sure which one PO installed it), the cheap headers, no emission stuff, no cat, eldebrock 600 carb and it makes a big difference over stock. YOu will like it. Finding the right muffler so it is not too loud is hard but I went with 2 1/2 pipes back to a couple of dynomax mufflers. Love it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 27
From: Sonora CA
I purchased a set of long tube headers of e-bay for $120.00, 1-5/8" stainless steel. I actually did have them on the engine and they fit just fine, but the collectors were a bit low for my liking and because I do mostly, (if not all) street driving. I desided to replace them with a pair of McJack's.
Otherwise the long tube headers seemed to be of decent quality and they came with all the bolts, collector flange, gaskets etc. BTW......... they're for sale.
Otherwise the long tube headers seemed to be of decent quality and they came with all the bolts, collector flange, gaskets etc. BTW......... they're for sale.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I haven't used any of those headers, but from looking at the pictures, the summit house brand header looks identicle to the flowtech. They probably order them from Flowtech by the truckload, and sell 'em at a discount.
I asked here on the forum a few weeks ago what folks thought of the flowtechs, when I was considering buying a set, and several people said there were no fit issues, ground clearance was really good, no major problems getting at the spark plugs or header bolts. I have decided to wait until I can afford a set of Stan's tri-y headers, so I can't tell you what I think from experience, sorry.
Scott
I asked here on the forum a few weeks ago what folks thought of the flowtechs, when I was considering buying a set, and several people said there were no fit issues, ground clearance was really good, no major problems getting at the spark plugs or header bolts. I have decided to wait until I can afford a set of Stan's tri-y headers, so I can't tell you what I think from experience, sorry.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,354
Likes: 424
From: Seattle Area WA
I'm using a set of the Summit house brand headers, the fit is great and they work fine. Definately media blast and paint with VHT header paint. The Hedman's are nice but I've seen some fitment problems with them, had to dimple the passenger side for a guy to clear the idler arm. Heard that more than once. The Hookers tend to hang lower and limit your ground clearance, there are several pics in the forum if you search for them that show how much lower the Hookers hang.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Litchfield CT
Headers
O.K, i'm on a budget so looking at the low end of the market.
These seem like really good value.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2456HKR/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-11106FLT/
Has anyone had any experience with them and would they make a difference over the stock cast iron units.
L48 stock at present but will be changing cam and heads over time.
These seem like really good value.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-2456HKR/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BIG-11106FLT/
Has anyone had any experience with them and would they make a difference over the stock cast iron units.
L48 stock at present but will be changing cam and heads over time.
I have actually used them all. The Summit's are fine, as one person noted, private labeled from one manufacturer or another. Hookers are my personal choice, but they cost about $50 more, PLUS they don't come with the collectors.
The Hedmanns come with collectors, but those are the "ball and socket" type. As such, you don't need a flange gasket.
I just bought a pair of Hookers for my 68 from Summit 2 weeks ago because they have a Summit rebate on them. They all fit fine, and I have not noticed any one fitting higher or lower than the other.
You will notice quite a difference from the stock exhaust manifolds. If you are feeling adventurous, use a chambered exhaust instead of mufflers. I have used this on my last two smallblocks and one big block. Sounds like sidepipes, except the sound comes out the back instead of blasting your eardrums. REALLY nice.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Bielsko-Biala Poland
so I have a question, my vetta has some headers installed, the tubes it has are 1 5/8' and they are very rusty. so the question is are they stock or custom but just not painted and rusted? what are stock diameters?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Not sure what you mean by stock, as dont recall any Vette coming from the factory with long tubes. Most basic headers are painted, but as mentioned, really doesn't hold up. Myself and others here have tryed blasting and and various paint's, with not much luck. Finally just spent the bucks for Jet Hot coating several years back, and still look like the day I installed them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
I haven't used any of those headers, but from looking at the pictures, the summit house brand header looks identicle to the flowtech. They probably order them from Flowtech by the truckload, and sell 'em at a discount.
I asked here on the forum a few weeks ago what folks thought of the flowtechs, when I was considering buying a set, and several people said there were no fit issues, ground clearance was really good, no major problems getting at the spark plugs or header bolts. I have decided to wait until I can afford a set of Stan's tri-y headers, so I can't tell you what I think from experience, sorry.
Scott
I asked here on the forum a few weeks ago what folks thought of the flowtechs, when I was considering buying a set, and several people said there were no fit issues, ground clearance was really good, no major problems getting at the spark plugs or header bolts. I have decided to wait until I can afford a set of Stan's tri-y headers, so I can't tell you what I think from experience, sorry.
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
There are no stock headers. Stock, cars come with exhaust manifolds. They look like heavy block huggers. If you can see individual tubes, then they are headers, not manifolds. If you can't, then they are manifolds, and likely stock, or stock replacements.
As for the summit headers, I had them, installed them, liked them, then had to uninstall them because I lowered my car with a new suspension package, and the headers hang JUST lower than the oil pan, which I didn't like. I used Sanderson Shorty headers, instead.
If you still want the summit headers, I have mine for sale, for 50 bucks plus shipping. No dents, no rust, but they HAVE been used. They are for a 4 speed car, NOT manual. PM if you want some pics.
As for the summit headers, I had them, installed them, liked them, then had to uninstall them because I lowered my car with a new suspension package, and the headers hang JUST lower than the oil pan, which I didn't like. I used Sanderson Shorty headers, instead.
If you still want the summit headers, I have mine for sale, for 50 bucks plus shipping. No dents, no rust, but they HAVE been used. They are for a 4 speed car, NOT manual. PM if you want some pics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I just installed the Summit headers a few weeks ago. I stripped them and sprayed them with VHT and they look great still after about 1000 miles. they fit perfect with the only issue I have was the passenger side collector is at a slight downward angle. this made hooking the exhaust up to my current system a pain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i have factory installed headers as do all 82s.they are short tube.they look a lot like the mcjacks only they are smaller tubes .headers are on the car .they would be hard to see.if you have headers on your car they are after market .in 78 they came with cast iron.http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ader-pics.html
Last edited by terry82; Jun 27, 2011 at 02:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
Can someone tell me, once the original headers are removed, where does the original exhaust need to be cut and does a flange need to be welded in so that when the summit headers are installed they will bolt right up.
Or are the new headers installed with the original pipes pushed to the side and then driven to an exhaust shop with open pipes and welded in then. (assuming you dont have a welder at home)
Or are the new headers installed with the original pipes pushed to the side and then driven to an exhaust shop with open pipes and welded in then. (assuming you dont have a welder at home)
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
It's going to be different for every car. Basically, all I did was install the headers, then take measurements for where the pipes would then go through the crossmember, and where they would meet up with the headers. Most any exhaust kit will come with varying lengths of pipe.
What your question sounds like is you are planning to use the stock pipes, mated to the headers. This will yield you absolutely 0 hp gains. The exhaust acts as a complete unit, one change to one part will not change anything, unless everything else is changed to accomidate it. Your stock manifolds are no more restrictive to airflow than the stock Y pipe. Replace that Y pipe with true duals, 2 1/4, 2/12, whatever strikes your fancy, and THEN you will a difference in airflow.
In fact, if you only have money for one, KEEP the stock manifolds, and do the exhaust pipes, instead. THAT will yield you better gains.
What your question sounds like is you are planning to use the stock pipes, mated to the headers. This will yield you absolutely 0 hp gains. The exhaust acts as a complete unit, one change to one part will not change anything, unless everything else is changed to accomidate it. Your stock manifolds are no more restrictive to airflow than the stock Y pipe. Replace that Y pipe with true duals, 2 1/4, 2/12, whatever strikes your fancy, and THEN you will a difference in airflow.
In fact, if you only have money for one, KEEP the stock manifolds, and do the exhaust pipes, instead. THAT will yield you better gains.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
To the OP: I highly recommend coughing up the dough for some sort of ceramic coating, be it Jet Hot, or whoever. Although, if funds are a little short, you can run the headers, and take 'em off and have 'em coated over the winter while the car's in storage, or whenever you feel like it. The coatings available aren't just cosmetic, they really make a header last a lot longer.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
i have factory installed headers as do all 82s.they are short tube.they look a lot like the mcjacks only they are smaller tubes .headers are on the car .they would be hard to see.if you have headers on your car they are after market .in 78 they came with cast iron.http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ader-pics.html
