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What are the lowest cost big block C3 headers on the market? I don't want side pipe headers, just the regular kind that point towards the back of the car. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
There's a couple of good deals in the C3 parts for sale section right now.
JIM
I appreciate the response but I'm looking for a new set, not used unless the used ones are like new (no rust, no dents, no scrapes or crushing on the bottom from speed bumps, etc).
Hedman headers are what you are after. Not much selection for the C3 in under car headers, but the Hedman headers fit the bill.
One of the main concerns is how well they will fit the BB engine. I have Hedman on the NOM 454 in my 68 convert and the PO had to dimple the exhaust runners on both sides to clear the mounting bolt for the idler arm on the passenger side and the steering box on the other side. Also, getting enough clearance to get a spark plug wrench on a couple of the cylinders is really tight. That's what happens when you stuff 10 lbs in a 5 lb sack.
I appreciate the response but I'm looking for a new set, not used unless the used ones are like new (no rust, no dents, no scrapes or crushing on the bottom from speed bumps, etc).
I would much rather have a used set of stainless or ceramic coated headers than a brand new cheap set of unpainted mild steel headers that will rust in a week.
I would much rather have a used set of stainless or ceramic coated headers than a brand new cheap set of unpainted mild steel headers that will rust in a week.
And where exactly did I say that I want a set of unpainted headers? Oh that's right, I didn't say that...
I said that I'd rather have new headers than dented up, scraped up, or crushed on the bottom from hitting speed bumps old headers....
I also said that I'd take used headers if they were like new with no damage....
And even if I did get a set of unpainted new headers (does anyone even sell unpainted headers?) I would paint them with some VHT paint before installing them...
What do you think you are going to get with the "lowest cost". Unpainted mild steel junk.
What does it matter to you what kind of headers I buy? As far as I can tell so far hedman headers are the lowest cost headers and I have yet to see a set that comes unpainted. And even if the paint on them is no good it's no problem to repaint them with good paint. I'm not made out of money, I can't afford a thousand dollar set of headers. Now if you have a nice set of big dollar headers that you'll sell to me for the price of a set of new hedmans I'd be interested, if not then please stop polluting my thread...
Not sure why all the attitude in this thread....or even if you bothered to look....but I'll go ahead and put these on here for you. New Hedman ceramic coated in the for sale section just like I said....
Sorry my friend, I didn't mean to offend you. YOU asked for advice on low cost headers. I gave you my advice. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Anybody with experience running Hedmanns like the ones Jim linked to? I'll need a set and that looks like a smokin' deal, I've had good success with Hedmann's ball-and-socket collector connector. I don't mind dimpling them if needed but I'm curious about ground clearance.
My hedman's fit very nice. Plugs all are easy to get to. Plenty of clearance to the steering box, they are a bit tight on the passenger side against the frame, but I am running solid mounts. Not sure what they are like with standard mounts. I purchased the standard hedman's uncoated, then made sure they fit the way I wanted then had them ceramic coated locally. The minor mods I did really were not necessary. I could have gone with the ceramic coated from Hedman.
Also, the standard Hedman headers are painted black, but the coating is just a shipping coat. They need to be coated either by your own paint or have them ceramic coated.
If you run them as they come, the coating they have just burns off in an hour or two of use and they are uncoated. Their instructions do tell you to get them coated...
Don't be a malaka! You go cheap you get what you pay for. It's simple. Go with what is the best fit, not what is the lowest price.
I read a thread on here yesterday from a guy that blew a grand on a set of hooker side pipe headers and they didn't fit at all, he listed all of the issues they had with fitment. I've read quite a few header threads on here yesyerday, it seems that not only hooker but hedman headers too have been having fitment issues and the reason seems to be that they both had moved their operations to Mexico and quality has suffered because of it. Bit then I've read posts from others that say they had no fitment issues with their hookers and hedmans. It seems to be a hit and miss prospect, you may or may not have issues regardless of what they cost. I don't want to blow a grand on a set of headers and then have to beat the hell out of them with a hammer to make them fit. Hell I wouldn't spend 50 bucks on a set of headers that need to be beaten with a hammer to make them fit, I want headers that will just drop in and fit good without needing to be "tweaked" with a hammer. Is that too much to ask?
Lemmons may be your only option for headers that don't need to be tweaked.
Hedmann headers fit my old truck without any tweaks, that's the only ones I've ever owned that did.
I read a thread on here yesterday from a guy that blew a grand on a set of hooker side pipe headers and they didn't fit at all, he listed all of the issues they had with fitment. I've read quite a few header threads on here yesyerday, it seems that not only hooker but hedman headers too have been having fitment issues and the reason seems to be that they both had moved their operations to Mexico and quality has suffered because of it. Bit then I've read posts from others that say they had no fitment issues with their hookers and hedmans. It seems to be a hit and miss prospect, you may or may not have issues regardless of what they cost. I don't want to blow a grand on a set of headers and then have to beat the hell out of them with a hammer to make them fit. Hell I wouldn't spend 50 bucks on a set of headers that need to be beaten with a hammer to make them fit, I want headers that will just drop in and fit good without needing to be "tweaked" with a hammer. Is that too much to ask?
Once again, my set of Hedman Headers fit without any tweaks in my '73 BBC. Not sure what is up with all the responses in this thread.