I've been searching high and low for some headers for my LSx swap, and is proving to be a daunting task. There really isn't a lot of alternatives is this department, and the few I've found are cashing in on their monopoly in rather ludicrous ways. I cant see spending 12 bills on a header set. About half that is a fair and reasonable starting point. Don't misunderstand me, you've no idea how bad I'd like a set of these. Just not 1200 dollars bad. Mind you, it's been 25 years or so, but I used to make headers for smallblock Chevy. My buddies liked how tight they hugged the block, and I ended up making a jig for them and we created maybe a dozen or so pairs. If the Z06 manifolds I acquired for my C3 LSx swap aren't up to snuff, I'll create a set myself before popping 12 big ones for a header change. I don't have a stipend or a money tree to operate from. Most others don't either. Call me old fashioned or one of principal,but until someone shows me value (NOT MONOPOLY VALUE), I'm hard pressed to see the true value, or where it is located. It isn't in the material to construct them, I can assure you. I'm sure as soon as the competition catches up (and they will), you'll see prices drop faster than a blue light special at target. As it stands, they are being sold because there simply isn't many alternatives. As soon as there are a few.... Well, you know the rest.

My son and I have been dealing with similar issue involving a twin turbo setup on his TransAm. I needed a set of up and forward headers for the turbos. We wanted this build to look symmetric, and there won't be a header EVER created for this 1200 hp application....so...

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The headers had to be very tight and close to the valve covers to provide an aesthetically and symmetrically pleasing location to mount the two turbos. Yes. The headers must be removed to get the valve cover off.

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The only reason I'm bringing this up here, is there are a lot more talented people than me, and I'm sure when two or more talented folks get their heads together, viable solutions will arise. 1200 bucks for an LS header to fit a C3 is ridiculous. I can use 16 gauge 304 stainless and do it for less than that. Wouldn't be the first either. I am not wanting to go into the header business, I can assure you. But if the following was great enough, I might be persuaded to build a jig to spit these out. You can bet if prices don't get reasonable on headers, I'll at least build my own.

 

Build them and they will come.

There is not much of an option out there. It is the old supply and demand. Just be aware as the other thread has found out there are many different combos out there as far as motor mounts, motor placement and acc that are used with the LS swaps. I would love to have a set of custom pipes built by AR or anybody else but I'll bet to have a custom set would put me back more than 1200 or so. MAybe Im wrong also. Build em and lets have a look.

 

We are basing our ARHeaders on the Dirty Dingo "Sliders" along with a list of steering and transmission options that have worked so far.

We only use 304 Stainless Steel for the construction of our headers and have a 100% money back fitment policy.

Not to steer the thread into a tangent, but wanted to clear up some basic items.

Nice work on the top mounts!!

Steve

 

Patro , Nothing will fit Your Car like a custom built set of Hedders. I built a set for My Car 2 Years ago , they clear everything to do with MY Car and may or may not fit another . See Pics here : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ls1-c-3-a.html

Now $1200 for a set that will fit and are made out of 304 Stainless is a lot of Money ..... untill I built My own . Cost of Flanges , "U" bends , Collectors , Argon , and ect was over $800 + over a Week of My time now $1200 seems like a bargon , IF they fit right .

And YES I do miss the old days when a set of Kustom Hedders (remember them?) side pipe Hedders sold for $220.

 

Any flow tests out there on these new LS headers. Unless you want headers for looks the stock C5 manifolds flow and perform very well and can be had for couple hundred bucks.