C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header selection

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
cabman72's Avatar
cabman72
Thread Starter
Pro
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 653
Likes: 51
From: Beaver County PA
Default Header selection

I'm looking to put headers on my '72 350 c.i. later this year and I was wondering what brand/style has a good fitment. Are long tubes easy to install and do they have ground clearance? What about shortys and oil filter clearance? I am not going to install side pipes. Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks, Mike.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 04:02 PM
  #2  
JoeMinnesota's Avatar
JoeMinnesota
Pro
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
Default

I installed Doug's D350 headers and absolutely love them. This is after I ordered (not the cheapest) pairs from Hooker and Hedman, only to return 2 sets when they showed up with rust between the primaries and in one case dings and scrapes under the ceramic coating. What a pain. I finally opened the wallet and bought a set of Doug's and they are excellent. Excellent fit, great plug boot and wire clearance, great clearance around my clutch linkages, and the collectors were tucked up pretty tight (aimed at the inside corners of the tunnel where firewall and floorpans meet). I put on temporary turn-downs to get it to a shop and they bent 2-1/2" all the way back. He fabricated 2 "s-pipes" from the collectors to main pipes. I had a 1-1/2" H-pipe installed behind the trans crossmember to kill some drone, as I am running louder Flowmaster 40's. The crossmember is an issue if you want to pull the driveshaft, but in my case I'm doing the back 1/2 right now and diff is out so I could drag it out the back.

No clearance issues, nothing low to the ground, no dragging flanges.




Last edited by JoeMinnesota; Jan 12, 2018 at 04:03 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 04:56 PM
  #3  
cabman72's Avatar
cabman72
Thread Starter
Pro
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 653
Likes: 51
From: Beaver County PA
Default

Looks great! I like the way they clear the starter and oil filter.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 05:43 PM
  #4  
Shovels and Vettes's Avatar
Shovels and Vettes
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

I have StainlessWork 1-5/8 inch headers into their 2-1/2 inch mandrel bent exhaust. Its all 304 Stainless. The clearance is awesome on everything up front. Really top quality stuff.....but pricey. Plus, made in USA.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 06:48 PM
  #5  
keithl1967's Avatar
keithl1967
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 421
Likes: 27
From: Harrisburg PA
Default

They seem to be bashed pretty universally on here (maybe I just got lucky), but I just [ut Hooker long tubes on my '77, and their 2.25 inch mandrel bent exhaust kit (kit, not including headers) was just under $200. I added a pair of Dynomax super turbos.

Sounds great, ground clearance is excellent, and the ceramic coating looks great...
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 07:22 PM
  #6  
cabman72's Avatar
cabman72
Thread Starter
Pro
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 653
Likes: 51
From: Beaver County PA
Default

Originally Posted by iwasmenowhesgone
I have StainlessWork 1-5/8 inch headers into their 2-1/2 inch mandrel bent exhaust. Its all 304 Stainless. The clearance is awesome on everything up front. Really top quality stuff.....but pricey. Plus, made in USA.
How does the stainless hold up over time? From what I've seen, they turn bluish after a while.
I like the look of ceramic coated as long as they're cured. I've seen them rust after one year when they weren't cured properly.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2018 | 09:12 PM
  #7  
Shovels and Vettes's Avatar
Shovels and Vettes
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default Bluish

Originally Posted by cabman72
How does the stainless hold up over time? From what I've seen, they turn bluish after a while.
I like the look of ceramic coated as long as they're cured. I've seen them rust after one year when they weren't cured properly.
Yes, the headers get a tint to them, but I find it looks good. Picture attached is after 6,000 miles.



Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Jan 12, 2018 at 09:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2018 | 03:02 AM
  #8  
terrys6t8roadster's Avatar
terrys6t8roadster
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by iwasmenowhesgone
yes, the headers get a tint to them, but i find it looks good. Picture attached is after 6,000 miles.


impressive. T
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 13, 2018 | 08:37 PM
  #9  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Originally Posted by iwasmenowhesgone
Yes, the headers get a tint to them, but I find it looks good. Picture attached is after 6,000 miles.
I love the stainless! That's just the perfect shade of blue.

I have Hooker Super Comps. Fit is perfect. I just reinstalled them this afternoon and they go in easy from below with the car about 18" in the air. I bought mine painted and had them coated after a few years of use. If I had it to do over, I would buy them ceramic coated from the factory. If they were available in stainless, that would be even better.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2018 | 09:02 PM
  #10  
Grumpy 427's Avatar
Grumpy 427
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Default

I have headman full length on mine. You have to tip the oil filter sideways to get it out. ground clearance is very decent.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2018 | 09:12 PM
  #11  
Street Rat's Avatar
Street Rat
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Default

Originally Posted by keithl1967
They seem to be bashed pretty universally on here (maybe I just got lucky), but I just [ut Hooker long tubes on my '77, and their 2.25 inch mandrel bent exhaust kit (kit, not including headers) was just under $200. I added a pair of Dynomax super turbos.

Sounds great, ground clearance is excellent, and the ceramic coating looks great...
I have the same headers and exhaust system. Going to the 2.5 Pypes system soon. The headers fit great but Hooker's ceramic coating SUCKS.

I've paid plenty of money to have this supposed great coating rust and peel off. Finally I sent my Hooker headers to JET HOT Coatings. I have yet to reinstall them. Let's hope the new coating is exceptional.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 04:50 PM
  #12  
Alwyn678's Avatar
Alwyn678
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by Grumpy 427
I have headman full length on mine. You have to tip the oil filter sideways to get it out. ground clearance is very decent.
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2018 | 06:56 PM
  #13  
jb78L-82's Avatar
jb78L-82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Default

I have these on my 78 L-82 355 with AFR heads and roller cam:

http://xs-power.com/chevrolet-headers-4.htm

They sit about 1 inch lower than the oil pan....had them ceramic coated locally and they look great after 1.5 years on the car. Have not scrapped them yet...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Header selection





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE