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Old May 23, 2016 | 01:12 PM
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From: Flaxcombe Saskatchewan
Default Big Block Header Help!

I have a 71 454 and I am looking to buy a set of full length, non side pipe headers. My main concern is quality and fitment. I am currently comparing the hooker and hedmans on Summit, and the price difference for the ceramic coated leads me to believe that the Hookers may be better?

Thoughts? Advice? HELP!
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Old May 23, 2016 | 02:14 PM
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Hedmans here but I had mine coated locally because they do inside and outside.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 04:31 PM
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How well do your hedmans fit? I bought a brand new set but haven't put em on yet. The old ones I had were beat pretty bad but the previous owner had a half inch of exhaust gaskets stacked up on it.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 04:51 PM
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So do Hedmans bolt in usually without any need for modification? would hate to have to re-coat them after fitting them.

Last edited by Justa6; May 23, 2016 at 04:52 PM.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 05:12 PM
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Hey Mike, You on the LS1GTO forum as well?

As for fit they were really close to the passenger side frame rail. So we flattened that location for more room. Otherwise no issues.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 09:03 PM
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I wouldn't get them coated before I put them on if you werent going to buy the already coated versions.

Yep I used to be on there all the time. My name on there is nirvanamike06 i think. I had a 06 gto with aps twin turbos it was a real nice car but my garage caught on fire and the car was toast... literally....
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Old May 23, 2016 | 10:12 PM
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I've been running Hedmans for a number of years now. Had them coated locally after I fit them on the car. Had to adjust, flaten, one pipe slightly to clear my Borgeson steering, otherwise they fit great.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 10:17 PM
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With production heads, Hedmans will be a close fit on the passenger side. I have AFR heads with raised ports (which also moves them outboard) and had to flatten the #4 cylinder pipe about 1/4". Drivers side was no problem, even with a Borgeson steering box. Hedmans are not equal length, and as such, the collector ends up further forward than Hookers. This provides more room to connect to the rest of the system. Hedmans are 2" pipe, 3' collectors.
Hookers are equal length, 2 1/8" pipe, with 3 1/2" collectors. They will not fit an air-con car, as the #8 pipe invades the space occupied by the air con/heater core box. The collectors end up lower and further aft than Hedmans. Others on this site have complained about poor collector ground clearance with the Hookers. However, the Hooker equal length tubes, collector diameter and length, probably offer a performance advantage to an open exhaust application.
If you intend to race the car, the Hooker issues I've mentioned would not be a concern.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 10:21 PM
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I have Hedman headers on my 68 L36 Roadster. Installation was a breeze; just loaded them up from the bottom. Mine were purchased coated.
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