Stainless options for side mount headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Stainless options for side mount headers
I've currently got a set of old Hooker chrome side mounts on my 68 427. The side pipes are like new with home made spirals inside. The collectors have multiple holes/cracks and I'd like to buy just the headers. My first choice is SS but the only options Ive seen are XS brand. But I don't like the shape of the collector.
Has anyone found another option for SS. My other option is Dougs ceramic coated.
Thanks,
Jim
Has anyone found another option for SS. My other option is Dougs ceramic coated.
Thanks,
Jim
Last edited by Jims427400; May 30, 2017 at 09:53 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,321
Likes: 523
From: home
You may want to contact Kerry Hitt at Advanced Composites. He owns the tooling for Stahl side exit headers. The last time I talked to him, they were in the process of making Stahl headers in stainless, not sure if they are available yet. You should confirm with him if they fit a/c and power steering, if your car is so equipped. http://www.acproducts.us/ http://stahlheaders.com/Frame%20New%20RR.htm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
I've currently got a set of old Hooker chrome side mounts on my 68 427. The side pipes are like new with home made spirals inside. The collectors have multiple holes/cracks and I'd like to buy just the headers. My first choice is SS but the only options Ive seen are XS brand. But I don't like the shape of the collector.
Has anyone found another option for SS. My other option is Dougs ceramic coated.
Thanks,
Jim
Has anyone found another option for SS. My other option is Dougs ceramic coated.
Thanks,
Jim
I have the Doug's Ceramic coated and the fit, finish, and fitment have all been perfect. I know it isn't Stainless, but I can definitely recommend Doug's.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Thank you all,
I haven't found the Hookers in SS yet, I'll keep looking..
The Stahl headers appear to have the collector under the car, not sure I'm a fan of that look..
I've read good things about Dougs and was hoping their ceramic coating process was top notch and wouldn't chip off although I only drive the 68 500 miles a year on nice days..
mobird, how long have you had your Dougs headers and how many miles have you put on them?
Jim
I haven't found the Hookers in SS yet, I'll keep looking..
The Stahl headers appear to have the collector under the car, not sure I'm a fan of that look..
I've read good things about Dougs and was hoping their ceramic coating process was top notch and wouldn't chip off although I only drive the 68 500 miles a year on nice days..
mobird, how long have you had your Dougs headers and how many miles have you put on them?
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,230
Likes: 1,009
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
The Stahls are a much better design for making power as the primaries are a more optimal length and you don't have the sharp bend in the primaries like the Hookers and others. Stahls are also known to be much better built with less fitment issues than others.
Bill
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; May 31, 2017 at 10:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Hi Bill,
Do you have these mounted to your 69? If yes can you post a picture please? The other concern I had was ground clearance. Do the stalls hang down lower than the Hooker designs?
Jim
Do you have these mounted to your 69? If yes can you post a picture please? The other concern I had was ground clearance. Do the stalls hang down lower than the Hooker designs?
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
Thank you all,
I haven't found the Hookers in SS yet, I'll keep looking..
The Stahl headers appear to have the collector under the car, not sure I'm a fan of that look..
I've read good things about Dougs and was hoping their ceramic coating process was top notch and wouldn't chip off although I only drive the 68 500 miles a year on nice days..
mobird, how long have you had your Dougs headers and how many miles have you put on them?
Jim
I haven't found the Hookers in SS yet, I'll keep looking..
The Stahl headers appear to have the collector under the car, not sure I'm a fan of that look..
I've read good things about Dougs and was hoping their ceramic coating process was top notch and wouldn't chip off although I only drive the 68 500 miles a year on nice days..
mobird, how long have you had your Dougs headers and how many miles have you put on them?
Jim
I've had mine on for about a year now. Only a little over 1000 miles so far. The ceramic coating seems to hold up well to rock chips, but it scratches fairly easily (stupid me being clumsy with some tools). But I have read that the scratch marks can be polished out fairly easily. I haven't tried it myself because my car is a driver and has plenty of other things that look worse than some light scratching in the side pipes haha.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Haven't found Hooker SS but I did come across a Doug's Headers D381-SS..
It doesn't even show up on their website, although Summit,Jegs shows as they sell them. I'll call Summit to verify.
Does anyone have an 800# for Dougs headers?
It doesn't even show up on their website, although Summit,Jegs shows as they sell them. I'll call Summit to verify.
Does anyone have an 800# for Dougs headers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,230
Likes: 1,009
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I don't have Stahls on my car as I have gone back to undercar exhaust. I had Hookers and the needed a ton of work to fit although I do have heads with raised exhaust ports. That being said, if I ever went back to side exhaust, it would be Stahls, stainless or not. These are a couple pics of my favorite vintage race car. I like the look of these much better than Hooker type. Better look and better for power. Ground clearance should not be any different than Hookers.
Last edited by 69ttop502; May 31, 2017 at 12:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
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Last edited by Kubs; May 31, 2017 at 12:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Update:
Called Dougs/Pertronics today and they do stock polished 304 16 gage stainless steel big block side mount headers at just over $1100.
Now the decision is it worth $300 more over the ceramic coated..
Thoughts/comments??
Called Dougs/Pertronics today and they do stock polished 304 16 gage stainless steel big block side mount headers at just over $1100.
Now the decision is it worth $300 more over the ceramic coated..
Thoughts/comments??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Bill,
Thank you for the pics. I love the look of C3 competition cars and the Stahls look great as well.
Jim
Thank you for the pics. I love the look of C3 competition cars and the Stahls look great as well.
Jim
I don't have Stahls on my car as I have gone back to undercar exhaust. I had Hookers and the needed a ton of work to fit although I do have heads with raised exhaust ports. That being said, if I ever went back to side exhaust, it would be Stahls, stainless or not. These are a couple pics of my favorite vintage race car. I like the look of these much better than Hooker type. Better look and better for power. Ground clearance should not be any different than Hookers.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Maybe give Hooker a call and quote a set in stainless, if they'll make it for your 427.
Aberdeen Facility
704 Highway 25 South.
Aberdeen, MS 39730
662 369-6153 (Tel)
270 781-9741 (Tech Service)
Last edited by MIKE80; Jun 1, 2017 at 07:43 AM.
Le Mans Master
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From: melbourne florida
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I had Stahl side exhausts on my 68 that I bought from. Jeremy Stahl back in the 70's I couldn't recomended anything more from a performance standpoint. The hooked type units do have more visual detail and are preferences by many based on that.
I have OBX pipes and the quality is right there and look great. I will say the ceramic silver coated headders aren't even close to the chrome or polished side tubes in appearance, m suggestion in that case would to be have them coated too.
I have OBX pipes and the quality is right there and look great. I will say the ceramic silver coated headders aren't even close to the chrome or polished side tubes in appearance, m suggestion in that case would to be have them coated too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 35
From: Michigan
Thanks Mike,
Is that the contact info for Hooker that you posted below your comments?
Is that the contact info for Hooker that you posted below your comments?
I had ceramic coated and they still started to surface rust. I switched to stainless Hookers for my sbc.
Maybe give Hooker a call and quote a set in stainless, if they'll make it for your 427.
Aberdeen Facility
704 Highway 25 South.
Aberdeen, MS 39730
662 369-6153 (Tel)
270 781-9741 (Tech Service)
Maybe give Hooker a call and quote a set in stainless, if they'll make it for your 427.
Aberdeen Facility
704 Highway 25 South.
Aberdeen, MS 39730
662 369-6153 (Tel)
270 781-9741 (Tech Service)