what headers would you buy?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: east providence ri
what headers would you buy?
I know there are a million opinions on which headers are best and which ones work best blah blah blah...
My question is this:
Hedman Elite series - 14 Gauge tubing, 3/8 flange, ceramic coating, 3 in. collectors, $269.99
Dynomax Cerma-coated - 16 Gauge tubing, 3/8 flange, ceramic coating, 3 in. collectors, $239.99
I know Ganey likes the Dynomax and I have come to trust his advice after reading his exhaust post. But does the 14 gauge tubing make any difference to warrant the extra cost.
Again any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Chris
My question is this:
Hedman Elite series - 14 Gauge tubing, 3/8 flange, ceramic coating, 3 in. collectors, $269.99
Dynomax Cerma-coated - 16 Gauge tubing, 3/8 flange, ceramic coating, 3 in. collectors, $239.99
I know Ganey likes the Dynomax and I have come to trust his advice after reading his exhaust post. But does the 14 gauge tubing make any difference to warrant the extra cost.
Again any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm partial to Hooker Super comps. They are a lifetime investment. Mine are 12-14 year old and I just had them recoated when I had my motor out this spring.
I got the ones made for angle plug heads.
I got the ones made for angle plug heads.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 199
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From: Santa Monica CA
You forgot the most important issue: primary pipe diameter. That's way more important than brand. 
Small diameter pipes improve mass flow at lower flow rates (low RPM) but stifle them at higher flow rates. Larger pipes are the opposite.
1 5/8" pipes will probably enhance the power curve the most for the majority of Corvettes (okay, big generalization), but if you go below 250 HP or over about 425 HP, then get a different diameter.
Dave
Small diameter pipes improve mass flow at lower flow rates (low RPM) but stifle them at higher flow rates. Larger pipes are the opposite.1 5/8" pipes will probably enhance the power curve the most for the majority of Corvettes (okay, big generalization), but if you go below 250 HP or over about 425 HP, then get a different diameter.
Dave
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Stahls are the best, but for a street car I'm with Goerge: Hooker super comps. I've installed many sets and they fit and work as advertised. The only gripe I have is the poor paint quality on them.
Hans
Hans
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: spring city pa
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Stahl...$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Don't all stahls come w/ the offset 7 bolt pattern meaning you need a spacer/adapter to go w/ the regular 6 bolt setup whre all the botls are inline?
It all depends on what you order from stahl,,,,,,,, and of course primary tube size . Stahl is the only one I have seen that is offering a guarantee on the header performance . The reality is that the large majority of street driven cars donot benefit any great deal from a long tube setup . And pricey is not the word for stahls they are very costly . When you add in the leaks and lack of ground clearance , heat etc ,,,,,,, headers are a pia
geo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: east providence ri
Originally Posted by humiliategravity
You forgot the most important issue: primary pipe diameter. That's way more important than brand. Small diameter pipes improve mass flow at lower flow rates (low RPM) but stifle them at higher flow rates. Larger pipes are the opposite.
1 5/8" pipes will probably enhance the power curve the most for the majority of Corvettes (okay, big generalization), but if you go below 250 HP or over about 425 HP, then get a different diameter.
Dave
Small diameter pipes improve mass flow at lower flow rates (low RPM) but stifle them at higher flow rates. Larger pipes are the opposite.1 5/8" pipes will probably enhance the power curve the most for the majority of Corvettes (okay, big generalization), but if you go below 250 HP or over about 425 HP, then get a different diameter.
Dave
How is the ceramic coating on the hookers?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I had mine done locally. I was going to look on the web for Hooker headers and see what they say.
They are quality near equal length 1 3/4. Prior to these I had headman nice headers in 1 5/8th with the same true duals....... and it seemed to me that I didn't notice any gain or loss going bigger. But at the time I had a 7000 rpm 355 ci with better heads
They are quality near equal length 1 3/4. Prior to these I had headman nice headers in 1 5/8th with the same true duals....... and it seemed to me that I didn't notice any gain or loss going bigger. But at the time I had a 7000 rpm 355 ci with better heads
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Just a little spendy from this place. I was thinking more like $600
Maybe buy direct or call Summit Racing
http://www.buyperformance.com/main/new_mmy_results.jsp
Maybe buy direct or call Summit Racing
http://www.buyperformance.com/main/new_mmy_results.jsp
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Both size & shape matters. Bigger is not always better. Both the Hooker Super Comps & Dynomax Cerma SB Corvette are very good & have rec. both. Dynomax Cerma for Corvettes flow much better than is commonly known. Some others have found out. See Rich StingrayRacing sig. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?u=2202 The fastest time was w/ the Dynomax Cerma 1 5/8.
A new to the forum guy once mentioned something similiar.
A new to the forum guy once mentioned something similiar.
One gear at a time
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,207
Likes: 24
CI 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
I have Hedman Elite headers on my BB '65 Malibu. The fit is beautiful. The BB headers fit better than the old Hooker SB headers I used to run. The Elite headers have 3/8" thick flanges and heavier tubes. They're a nicely built set of headers for the price. Everything I've run from Hedman has always fit my cars nicely. A lot of guys at Team Chevelle swear by the coated Dynomax headers for their '68-72 BB cars. Due to the availability of a 1 3/4" primary tube, I will probably be running Hooker Super Comps on my '59. FWIW Wes
) The Comps (non-super) which I have are relatively cheap.