Best Headers for a 383
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Best Headers for a 383
I'm doing a resto-mod on my 1973. I purchased a 383/435 hp engine, and want to have the best exhaust for the money. Previous cars I've owned with headers were always a pain in the ***, pardon my language, & I am hoping there are better ones out there for performance that don't have all the problems I've noticed before.
My experience has been collectors always leaking at the collector. can't get to plugs easily, wires getting burned, & not looking good very long because of how hot they get.
I'm half tempted to just use the stock exhaust manifolds, because they are at least not going to leak, and cause other issues, but I'm concerned about it hindering performance.
Any insight will be appreciated.
My experience has been collectors always leaking at the collector. can't get to plugs easily, wires getting burned, & not looking good very long because of how hot they get.
I'm half tempted to just use the stock exhaust manifolds, because they are at least not going to leak, and cause other issues, but I'm concerned about it hindering performance.
Any insight will be appreciated.
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
I'm doing a resto-mod on my 1973. I purchased a 383/435 hp engine, and want to have the best exhaust for the money. Previous cars I've owned with headers were always a pain in the ***, pardon my language, & I am hoping there are better ones out there for performance that don't have all the problems I've noticed before.
My experience has been collectors always leaking at the collector. can't get to plugs easily, wires getting burned, & not looking good very long because of how hot they get.
I'm half tempted to just use the stock exhaust manifolds, because they are at least not going to leak, and cause other issues, but I'm concerned about it hindering performance.
Any insight will be appreciated.
My experience has been collectors always leaking at the collector. can't get to plugs easily, wires getting burned, & not looking good very long because of how hot they get.
I'm half tempted to just use the stock exhaust manifolds, because they are at least not going to leak, and cause other issues, but I'm concerned about it hindering performance.
Any insight will be appreciated.
Mine are 1-5/8 so you may want to research their p/n for 1-3/4 primaries on your 383. Mine are supporting 400hp just fine, but you might want that extra breathing.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; May 19, 2018 at 11:15 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Headers can be a life time purchase if they are ceramic coated or stainless
I have 1 3/4 hooker SC headers that might be 20+ years old
if you have aluminum heads us ARP head studs
I have 1 3/4 hooker SC headers that might be 20+ years old
if you have aluminum heads us ARP head studs
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
most headers today have nice thick flanges and dont leak.
A basic felpro header gasket lasts just fine
Putting stock manifolds on a healty motor is a waste. Air has to get in. and out.
1-5/8" can support plenty of power. Get what fits the car and your budget.
A basic felpro header gasket lasts just fine
Putting stock manifolds on a healty motor is a waste. Air has to get in. and out.
1-5/8" can support plenty of power. Get what fits the car and your budget.
Last edited by cv67; May 20, 2018 at 12:07 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Obviously, the folks with the Doug's Headers really like them.
Personally, I would use 1 3/4 inch headers at the very least for a 400+ Gross HP SBC regardless whether a 350, 355, or 383+.
I used these 1 7/8 inch LTH headers on my 425+ Gross HP 355 with AFR heads :
http://www.xs-power.com/chevrolet-headers-4.htm
and had them ceramic coated locally for heat rejection for $200. All in was $520 for me at the time for the pair AND they are stainless steel to boot.
I double up all my header gaskets (usually Felpro Blue's with red hi temp sealant between them) and NEVER have header gasket leaks anymore. I used this technique also on a severely warped shorty headers and they sealed perfectly when none of the fancy aluminum, copper, Percey's even touched sealing the leak.
Personally, I would use 1 3/4 inch headers at the very least for a 400+ Gross HP SBC regardless whether a 350, 355, or 383+.
I used these 1 7/8 inch LTH headers on my 425+ Gross HP 355 with AFR heads :
http://www.xs-power.com/chevrolet-headers-4.htm
and had them ceramic coated locally for heat rejection for $200. All in was $520 for me at the time for the pair AND they are stainless steel to boot.
I double up all my header gaskets (usually Felpro Blue's with red hi temp sealant between them) and NEVER have header gasket leaks anymore. I used this technique also on a severely warped shorty headers and they sealed perfectly when none of the fancy aluminum, copper, Percey's even touched sealing the leak.
Last edited by jb78L-82; May 20, 2018 at 09:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
These from blueprint engines:
Cylinder Heads
- BluePrint Performance aluminium
- Hardened retainers and springs
- 2.02 swirl polished intake valves
- 1.60 swirl polished exhaust valves
- BP Aluminum Head Part# H8002K
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
Obviously, the folks with the Doug's Headers really like them.
Personally, I would use 1 3/4 inch headers at the very least for a 400+ Gross HP SBC regardless whether a 350, 355, or 383+.
I used these 1 7/8 inch LTH headers on my 425+ Gross HP 355 with AFR heads :
http://www.xs-power.com/chevrolet-headers-4.htm
and had them ceramic coated locally for heat rejection for $200. All in was $520 for me at the time for the pair AND they are stainless steel to boot.
I double up all my header gaskets (usually Felpro Blue's with red hi temp sealant between them) and NEVER have header gasket leaks anymore. I used this technique also on a severely warped shorty headers and they sealed perfectly when none of the fancy aluminum, copper, Percey's even touched sealing the leak.
Personally, I would use 1 3/4 inch headers at the very least for a 400+ Gross HP SBC regardless whether a 350, 355, or 383+.
I used these 1 7/8 inch LTH headers on my 425+ Gross HP 355 with AFR heads :
http://www.xs-power.com/chevrolet-headers-4.htm
and had them ceramic coated locally for heat rejection for $200. All in was $520 for me at the time for the pair AND they are stainless steel to boot.
I double up all my header gaskets (usually Felpro Blue's with red hi temp sealant between them) and NEVER have header gasket leaks anymore. I used this technique also on a severely warped shorty headers and they sealed perfectly when none of the fancy aluminum, copper, Percey's even touched sealing the leak.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Karol on this forum also has these headers on his bone stock 78 L-82 with Stock 882 heads and he had zero clearance issues on his motor.
The AFR's caused some minor modifications for fitment. These XS Power headers are probably the best value deal out there AND the biggest primaries you can find for a SBC from just about any of the manufacturers.
Last edited by jb78L-82; May 20, 2018 at 12:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 523
From: home
If you want the best and want side exits, go with Stahl/ACP headers. Not exactly street friendly due to how low they are and may/may not fit a/c and power steering, but they are the best for power.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
From: Waldorf, Maryland
Headers for Blueprint H8002K Alum heads, 73 Restomod
mtloafer - what headers did you end up going with? I also have a 73 resto-mod that I'm currently working on and also using the Blueprint 383 stroker engine with the H8002K aluminum heads. What do you recommend?