A few questions about headers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
A few questions about headers
First, hello all. Now to the questions,
Sorry if this has been asked a ton of times. The search feature doesn't seem to allow one to narrow things down to a more spec. search. Very general. I've not been on here in about 2-3 years. Lots of changes from the old days.
1st: Anyone have experience with these long tube headers being sold on Ebay for 84-91 corvettes, going for about $100? They appear to be very close to the headman headers made for the same years. The only thing I can see different is the pass. side pipe bending. This is based off pics. only though.
2nd: If you have purchased a pair, how did they fit? Any issues that should be noted? Is the flagged area on the collector any good? How were clearances with things like the starter, and brake lines?
Thanks
Sorry if this has been asked a ton of times. The search feature doesn't seem to allow one to narrow things down to a more spec. search. Very general. I've not been on here in about 2-3 years. Lots of changes from the old days.
1st: Anyone have experience with these long tube headers being sold on Ebay for 84-91 corvettes, going for about $100? They appear to be very close to the headman headers made for the same years. The only thing I can see different is the pass. side pipe bending. This is based off pics. only though.
2nd: If you have purchased a pair, how did they fit? Any issues that should be noted? Is the flagged area on the collector any good? How were clearances with things like the starter, and brake lines?
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: The land of 10,000 lakes ,Minnesota 89 coupe 6speed with 383 and 89 roadster 6speed bonestock with XXX low miles
Originally Posted by 88_vette
First, hello all. Now to the questions,
Sorry if this has been asked a ton of times. The search feature doesn't seem to allow one to narrow things down to a more spec. search. Very general. I've not been on here in about 2-3 years. Lots of changes from the old days.
1st: Anyone have experience with these long tube headers being sold on Ebay for 84-91 corvettes, going for about $100? They appear to be very close to the headman headers made for the same years. The only thing I can see different is the pass. side pipe bending. This is based off pics. only though.
2nd: If you have purchased a pair, how did they fit? Any issues that should be noted? Is the flagged area on the collector any good? How were clearances with things like the starter, and brake lines?
Thanks
Sorry if this has been asked a ton of times. The search feature doesn't seem to allow one to narrow things down to a more spec. search. Very general. I've not been on here in about 2-3 years. Lots of changes from the old days.
1st: Anyone have experience with these long tube headers being sold on Ebay for 84-91 corvettes, going for about $100? They appear to be very close to the headman headers made for the same years. The only thing I can see different is the pass. side pipe bending. This is based off pics. only though.
2nd: If you have purchased a pair, how did they fit? Any issues that should be noted? Is the flagged area on the collector any good? How were clearances with things like the starter, and brake lines?
Thanks
I have TPIS headers on my 89 coupe thet are about 3 years old still look like new and I am very happy with them
Mine cost around $750.00
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Those are the Hedmans #68440. No emissions, poor match to D port heads and plug access is not so good. General fit is okay. They have flimsy 1/4" flanges that bend or warp easily and can be a problem to seal. The only Hedmans worth owning IMO, would be those in their Elite series. They have thicker flanges, heavier gauge pipes and are coated. However their cheaper headers are available coated too so don't confuse the two. They have several part numbers for C4s and it can be rather confusing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
don't waste your money on cheap parts - or in this case headers. Especially headers. The headache and frustration you get from trying to make crappy parts "fit" will make you wish you payed more for better parts 110% of the time.
Save up for better headers, TPIS, Hooker and others are names that stick out. Coatings are a must.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Ramanstud
Save up for better headers, TPIS, Hooker and others are names that stick out. Coatings are a must.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
I agree. get only the good brands. Unfortunatiely they are also pricey. I just installed coated TPIS on my 1988. Fit was good, but still tight in places. It is just the nature of the beast. The engineering/fit of a quality brand is worth evey dime. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
The debate as to whether or not who has the best headers will go on forever. I have the Hedman HTC coated headers and have had them for 3 years and they still look like new. Got mine from Jeg's and the fit and finish is perfect and I didn't pay over $400 for them. If you get the right gaskets you shouldn't have to play with them forever either. I agree with the others on that the $100 headers might not be the way you want to go as they'll rust out rather quick not being coated and the flanges are not as thick.
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Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by mike43725
i just have one quetion... who the hell would pay $700.00 for headers? You can get your heads done for $100 more, if you pay $700 for metal pipes your crazy, heddman headers are just as good. 
Yeah, they're just as good.... 
I guess those of us are crazy then who don't want to put cheaply made junk (that will rust out in no time) on our cars. I plan on keeping my car as long as I'm walking this earth and I'd rather invest once in a well made product, of stainless steel in my case, and have no further hassles with them. It's a free country, if you want to put dime store headers on your car, go for it.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
From: zanesville ohio
heddman headers, that are cerramic coated are not poor quality headers, i agree that stainless steel headers are the best way to go if you have the money. im not comparing the headmans to the stainless, im comparing them to the tpis headers, and one again i will say this, and you can ask almost any engine builder which is the best bang for the buck $700 headers or having your heads done for around the same price, i think they would say get your heads done, then if you want get the headers. that is a no brainer,
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by mike43725
heddman headers, that are cerramic coated are not poor quality headers, i agree that stainless steel headers are the best way to go if you have the money. im not comparing the headmans to the stainless, im comparing them to the tpis headers, and one again i will say this, and you can ask almost any engine builder which is the best bang for the buck $700 headers or having your heads done for around the same price, i think they would say get your heads done, then if you want get the headers. that is a no brainer,
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
I've been doing a little research and I found something I think is interesting. The hedman headers based off the spec. provided by both Jegs, and Summit, have a thicker tube wall at 16 ga. The Hookers have a 18 ga. thickness. Now given what I know about elec. wire wouldn't the 16 ga. be thinker, and thus a little better given the idea a thinker flange is better? Wouldn't a thicker tube hold up to more heat, and last longer, especially is coated? Speaking of flange. The difference between the flange ( it was mentioned in a post further up) is 1/16. Is this really a hundred $$$ difference/ worth it????
What are ya'lls thoughts on this????
What are ya'lls thoughts on this????
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 20
From: Woodstock Georgia
I just bought a set of those coated Hedman's off of Ebay. Although, I have to have an O2 bung installed, the coating appears superb. The installation instruction do indicate that my AC brakcet may need to be modified slightly for installation, as well as the factory y-pipe as I at least want the appearance of having the cat on the car.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
I paid $700 for headers with Y pipe. My non stock plug angle was a real problem with stock shorties. NO problem now, no burnt plug wires. All stock supports for AC, alternator & smog fit. Thick flanges and stock bolts (had to grind on a couple bolt heads) keep gaskets sealed up. $700 well spent.
