Best Headers?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Best Headers?
Ok who currently has the best headers. I am not into wasting money but I want a good quality end result. From the little research I have done I want coated not painted. These would be going on a '77 4 speed with true duals. How big a job is this relative to other cars, I've never done a Vette, only Mustangs and Malibu's. What can I expect for horsepower and sound increases with the already installed Flowmasters??? Thanks in advance. 
And what about ground clearance!!!
And what about ground clearance!!!
Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Jun 18, 2013 at 08:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
I'm really wanting a set of Stan's Tri-Y headers. Problem is, they won't fit angled plug heads so I'd have to swap heads to run them. Check them out and search the forum. Lotta good things said about them.
Here's a link: http://www.stans-headers.com/
DC
Here's a link: http://www.stans-headers.com/
DC
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 2
From: St. Catharines Ontario
I've got Hedman 68300 on my '78 4 spd. Have had them on for 15 years... Mine are just painted, not coated but I've had no rust issues in the 15 years, and a few months ago just replaced the header gaskets for the first time. Make sure you buy some quality gaskets.
Removal & Install was pretty easy.
Removal & Install was pretty easy.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Ok who currently has the best headers. I am not into wasting money but I want a good quality end result. From the little research I have done I want coated not painted. These would be going on a '77 4 speed with true duals. How big a job is this relative to other cars, I've never done a Vette, only Mustangs and Malibu's. What can I expect for horsepower and sound increases with the already installed Flowmasters??? Thanks in advance.
And what about ground clearance!!!
And what about ground clearance!!!
I have the Hedman 68300 headers on my 77. I purchased my headers used but they were never installed on any car. I took the headers to a local shop and had them blasted and then ceramic coated.
The headers fit with no problems, no denting of pipes etc. My car already had true duals from the previous owner so I had the exhaust shop connect my headers to the true dual system and all is well. As far as clearance the lowest point is at the collector and they are about even with the 4spd bell housing so I don't expect any problems there.
I can't comment on the Flowmasters as I don't have them. I believe the headers really help with added low end torque. As far as sound I don't really notice any difference compared to the stock exhaust manifolds that were on the car previously.
Hope this info. is helpful.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
I just had Hedman 68366 elite "shorty" with ceramic coating put on my '78. No interference problems at all. A good inch between the steering box and the tubes. Installation was easy. But I did have the entire exhaust back rebuilt so don't know if they would easily connect to the stock exhaust if that is what you have.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,357
Likes: 2,079
From: California
I think
Doug Thorley just repopped the C2/C3 units in the SBC 1-7/8 again if you have the engine needing that size. I think an ad was in one of the most recent Corvette mags.
First you would have to double check what I am saying. There have been a lot of posts on this topic.
The Stahl, I hear they are made to order. And then sometimes they don't hang exactly right, and they are more for Race car guys.
Hooker is still selling the bad ones in the Chrome and Stainless, but I think they are back to fitting on the plain painted ones, because they sold all of the bad painted ones in their side pipe line. The under the car ones seem to fit as per posts that I have read.
OBX everyone says they fit good. Just don't know what they are made with or how long these will last.
Hedman- cut their product line and now you can't get the bigger 65330's 1-7/8. But they have a decent 1-5/8 under the car, but also cut the side exhaust pipes from their line up, I think.
Summit are copies or clones of mostly Hedman and others I think and some fit and some need some help. Quality to price is fair. But they are 1-5/8 or I think they have one in the 1-3/4 size.
Etc.
First you would have to double check what I am saying. There have been a lot of posts on this topic.
The Stahl, I hear they are made to order. And then sometimes they don't hang exactly right, and they are more for Race car guys.
Hooker is still selling the bad ones in the Chrome and Stainless, but I think they are back to fitting on the plain painted ones, because they sold all of the bad painted ones in their side pipe line. The under the car ones seem to fit as per posts that I have read.
OBX everyone says they fit good. Just don't know what they are made with or how long these will last.
Hedman- cut their product line and now you can't get the bigger 65330's 1-7/8. But they have a decent 1-5/8 under the car, but also cut the side exhaust pipes from their line up, I think.
Summit are copies or clones of mostly Hedman and others I think and some fit and some need some help. Quality to price is fair. But they are 1-5/8 or I think they have one in the 1-3/4 size.
Etc.
Last edited by TCracingCA; Jun 24, 2013 at 09:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
I'm really wanting a set of Stan's Tri-Y headers. Problem is, they won't fit angled plug heads so I'd have to swap heads to run them. Check them out and search the forum. Lotta good things said about them.
Here's a link: http://www.stans-headers.com/
DC
Here's a link: http://www.stans-headers.com/
DC
The Best ? The research I've done, ? Stans Tri-Y. Bang for the buck? Find something cheap. I'm running Hedmann ceramic coated. Easy on/ easy off.
