I'm looking to get some headers for my gen 5 454 big block that will fit in my 79 c3 corvette. Anyone know what will fit? Ideally I could find a pair that will fit in my 1992 k2500 too because that's what the engine is in now. TIA

 

There wasn’t a big block option in 79.
The only two long tube header manufacturers for big blocks up to 74 are Hedman and Hooker and neither fit without modifications.
I bought three different sets of Hookers and each set fit differently.
I bought two sets of Hedmans and they also needed modifications.

Your best bet would be trial and error like I did.
Or, go to a set of Sanderson Short tube headers.
Or, have a set custom made but get ready for quotes of $3,000 to $4,000 to start.
If you have raised exhaust ports on aluminum heads get ready to take out a second mortgage on your home.

 

I am using a set of Hedman headers on my 1968 C3 that is equipped with a Mark IV, 427 and a four speed. The Hedman headers needed no modifications to slide right in and fit without an clearance issues. The 1979 does not have the room under the hood or around the engine that my 1968 C3 has available so that might be a major part of the problem. If the clearance is not enough then you have a fire potential so be sure to have the right amount of clearance.

Call Hedman and Hooker and tell them what you have, they might surprise you. Any non-stock engine might end up being a custom header application. In my opinion the shorty style headers are a waste of time and money as they do not perform anywhere as well as the long tube headers do. The original exhaust manifold that came on my 427 is more of a header than many of the shorty styles. If space is a problem then I would check out the factory exhaust manifolds.

The Hedman headers have a thick flange that connects to the cylinder head and I have NEVER had to re-torque the bolts nor had any leaks in 20+ years of use. I also suggest the soft aluminum header gaskets as they conform to the heads and headers a little better and help prevent/stop leaks.

 

I would not order a set of headers from anyone but the manufacturer and would talk with their customer service people before you buy.
I spent several hours on the phone with header manufacturers when I bought mine.
You’ll quickly find out that some headers won’t work with some aftermarket heads and that most headers are designed and manufactured to fit with an all stock engine with stock motor mounts in a particular frame and body with no modifications.

At one point I had three sets of Hookers in my garage and two sets of Hedmans and all the headers fit a little differently even though they were the same part number made off the same jig.
None of them fit.
Some required less modification than some others.
I had one Hedman that fit the passenger side with slight modifications needed and one that fit the drivers side that fit with slight modification, so I used one header from the two sets I had.
The Hookers all fit the drivers side without any modifications but they all hit the idler arm on the passenger side so bad that the one primary tube would need to be completely removed and replaced.

Pay particular attention to your ground clearance on any header.
The hookers dropped lower than the Hedmans by about an inch.

Purchase your headers painted over ceramic coated and save some money.
I purchased mine painted, made the modifications I needed then sent them out to be ceramic coated inside and outside.

Short tube headers get bad reviews by some people.
Many are made with 1 5/8” or 1 7/8” primary tubes and 2 1/2” collectors and are designed so the same set will fit whether they are going on a Corvette or a Model A roadster.
Sanderson makes their short tube headers engine and chassis specific, they use 2” primary tubes and are probably one of the best quality headers on the market today.
They will produce equal horsepower and torque up to 3500 to 4000 rpm as a long tube header.
There have been dyno tests to prove that point.
I bought a set of Sanderson’s for my 496 and still might install them and ditch the Hedman long tubes I installed because of how close the Hedmans are to the steering box.