Is There a Decent Budget Header?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Is There a Decent Budget Header?
I'm getting my new 383 into the Vette slowly but surely (thread here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1481035 ) and was wondering if there is any way to get a good header on the cheap? I really don't feel like dropping another $1000 just for exhaust. Any help would be great and "yes", I tried using the search button.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Tampa,FL
My OPINION and my EXPERIENCE.....I wanted a cheaper header as well when doing the FW install (dropped over $1500 on other mods at one time
) so I went with a set of hookers. BAD choice for me. 3 sets later, I finally got a set without warped flanges. Many people here use them w/ no problems but I guess I was the unlucky one. Whichever you use, MAKE sure you plain the flanges and make sure there is no more than a .200 difference. Good luck 
) so I went with a set of hookers. BAD choice for me. 3 sets later, I finally got a set without warped flanges. Many people here use them w/ no problems but I guess I was the unlucky one. Whichever you use, MAKE sure you plain the flanges and make sure there is no more than a .200 difference. Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Spend the money for a good fully coated set and you wont regret it later. I dont like Hedman quality, but the elites should be fine.
Otherwise get a set of TPiS
Otherwise get a set of TPiS
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Best one for the price appears to be the Hedman Elite. It's coated and not your typical cheapy hedman. Thicker tubes and flanges, and ball flanges on the collectors.
Don't know what year vette you have though...
Don't know what year vette you have though...
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City Mo
I was looking for headers too for my l98...I decided on headman elites after reading everything on the forum...You've got negative comments for every single vendor....But the Elites seemt to be well regarded, and the price is unbeatable.
Jegs or Summit both sell them. I've ordered a set but they are currently on backorder from both places.
Jegs or Summit both sell them. I've ordered a set but they are currently on backorder from both places.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Archaea
I was looking for headers too for my l98...I decided on headman elites after reading everything on the forum...You've got negative comments for every single vendor....But the Elites seemt to be well regarded, and the price is unbeatable.
Jegs or Summit both sell them. I've ordered a set but they are currently on backorder from both places.
Jegs or Summit both sell them. I've ordered a set but they are currently on backorder from both places.
Summit has a ship date of 9/12 for Elites and JEGS says they have one set ordered, but sold coming in on 9/30 and if you order today, you can expect them from JEGS sometime in October. I just ordered mine from Summit and I was told they are getting a shipment in on 9/10 and should ship the 12th as promised, but might ship on the 13th. I did a lot of research and I think Hedman's are close to being as good as EM's and the others that want an arm and a leg. And there are a lot of parts on a car where spending more is better, this is not one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
Headers arn't CHEAP!
After the lookin all over and what the threads I went with a set of MELROSE Headers (supporting Dealer
)for our 87-c4. You can get them any way you want coated/uncoated with AIR fittings/Without. And they support all years. The quality and welds look great and they were real helpfull on the phone
. We are not quite done with the engine change but hope to have them bolted up this weekend, so cant say the ease of install but we have everything out of the way and going with the smaller starter and as it stands now we don't see any surprises. We can try to post some pics if you like of the headers . WRO87
)for our 87-c4. You can get them any way you want coated/uncoated with AIR fittings/Without. And they support all years. The quality and welds look great and they were real helpfull on the phone . We are not quite done with the engine change but hope to have them bolted up this weekend, so cant say the ease of install but we have everything out of the way and going with the smaller starter and as it stands now we don't see any surprises. We can try to post some pics if you like of the headers . WRO87
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Originally Posted by ~db~
My OPINION and my EXPERIENCE.....I wanted a cheaper header as well when doing the FW install (dropped over $1500 on other mods at one time ) so I went with a set of hookers. BAD choice for me. 3 sets later, I finally got a set without warped flanges. Many people here use them w/ no problems but I guess I was the unlucky one. Whichever you use, MAKE sure you plain the flanges and make sure there is no more than a .200 difference. Good luck
) so I went with a set of hookers. BAD choice for me. 3 sets later, I finally got a set without warped flanges. Many people here use them w/ no problems but I guess I was the unlucky one. Whichever you use, MAKE sure you plain the flanges and make sure there is no more than a .200 difference. Good luck
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Originally Posted by Lichen
If you're spending all that money on a 383, spend the $1000 and get a decent set of coated headers. I like EM, but there are other good choices.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Originally Posted by vader86
Spend the money for a good fully coated set and you wont regret it later. I dont like Hedman quality, but the elites should be fine.
Otherwise get a set of TPiS
Otherwise get a set of TPiS
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Best one for the price appears to be the Hedman Elite. It's coated and not your typical cheapy hedman. Thicker tubes and flanges, and ball flanges on the collectors.
Don't know what year vette you have though...
Don't know what year vette you have though...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,124
Likes: 105
From: Pensacola FL
Originally Posted by wro87
After the lookin all over and what the threads I went with a set of MELROSE Headers (supporting Dealer )for our 87-c4. You can get them any way you want coated/uncoated with AIR fittings/Without. And they support all years. The quality and welds look great and they were real helpfull on the phone . We are not quite done with the engine change but hope to have them bolted up this weekend, so cant say the ease of install but we have everything out of the way and going with the smaller starter and as it stands now we don't see any surprises. We can try to post some pics if you like of the headers . WRO87
)for our 87-c4. You can get them any way you want coated/uncoated with AIR fittings/Without. And they support all years. The quality and welds look great and they were real helpfull on the phone . We are not quite done with the engine change but hope to have them bolted up this weekend, so cant say the ease of install but we have everything out of the way and going with the smaller starter and as it stands now we don't see any surprises. We can try to post some pics if you like of the headers . WRO87
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
Headers Part 2
Sorry to take so long to get back having problems login in. Well I went with the complete MELROSE SYSTEM for a 89' L98 that is going in a 87' roadster. It has the LONG Tube Headers with JET HOT COATING (this was about $250.oo Extra) YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET THE COATING IT IS EXTRA. Then from the 3" headers all the way to the back it is 3" stainless I have eliminated the AIR injection system, the Cats and the Resonator TRUE DUALS ALL the WAY. At the last pipe they reduce it down to 21/2" so you can fit mufflers it came with all STAINLESS STEEL WIDE Band clamps (only way to go). I talked to Chris at Melrose and he was alot of help and you can order just what you want. The Whole system was about $1300 delivered with the headers about 750 of that with the coating . The fit and finish is great and the bends in the pipes are fantastic . I know it sounds alot but order what you want. I will attempt to put the pics in but have trouble with the login in at home. You can view the pics that they have on the MELROSE WEB site. We are real close to getting them bolted up just got the engine in tonight. If you want to give a e-mail address I should be able to send the pics there. WRO87
. At the last pipe they reduce it down to 21/2" so you can fit mufflers it came with all STAINLESS STEEL WIDE Band clamps (only way to go). I talked to Chris at Melrose and he was alot of help and you can order just what you want. The Whole system was about $1300 delivered with the headers about 750 of that with the coating . The fit and finish is great and the bends in the pipes are fantastic . I know it sounds alot but order what you want. I will attempt to put the pics in but have trouble with the login in at home. You can view the pics that they have on the MELROSE WEB site. We are real close to getting them bolted up just got the engine in tonight. If you want to give a e-mail address I should be able to send the pics there. WRO87
