Header ground clearance
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Header ground clearance
I recently bought a set of headers to put on my soon to be rebuilt engine. I got a call from my mechanic today saying that the headers will not work because of the ground clearance. I didn't really believe him, so I went down to check. With the headers installed, there is only a 2 inch clearance between them and the ground. He recommends that I don't install them because I will be constantly scraping and bending them. My question to you guys is how far are your headers from the ground? Do they hang down lower the stock intake manifolds? The headers are Doug Thorleys. Thanks!
Last edited by jimmers; Apr 13, 2007 at 06:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
There's no way this is right. All of the headers I've had experience with for C4s have virtually as much clearance as the stock stuff. Check your PM box.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 32
From: The Top of Utah
You don't sound very positive. Did you buy them new? Did you see a listing for the part number you bought showing the C4 application? Are the headers stamped with the part number you are billed for? If they were used, then...
Doug Thorley is a better product than that. The headers should have decent ground clearance, if your frame and engine mounts aren't messed up.
RACE ON!!!
Doug Thorley is a better product than that. The headers should have decent ground clearance, if your frame and engine mounts aren't messed up.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
You don't sound very positive. Did you buy them new? Did you see a listing for the part number you bought showing the C4 application? Are the headers stamped with the part number you are billed for? If they were used, then...
Doug Thorley is a better product than that. The headers should have decent ground clearance, if your frame and engine mounts aren't messed up.
RACE ON!!!
Doug Thorley is a better product than that. The headers should have decent ground clearance, if your frame and engine mounts aren't messed up.
RACE ON!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Yeah, mine are pretty much even with the oil pan and floor boards as you can see. Before I installed them, I contacted just about every Corvette speacialty shop found in an issue of Corvette Trader. They all told me a bunch of horror stories about long tubes on these cars with installation and ground clearance. Every one of them recommened that I stay away from long tubes. It all turned out to be a bunch of BS, at least with the Hooker headers.
rel3rd, does that ball style header flange connection seal pretty good?
rel3rd, does that ball style header flange connection seal pretty good?
Last edited by 86PACER; Apr 14, 2007 at 01:37 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 28
From: Baltimore MD
I can't believe Hedman's are the only Corvette headers that have the ball & socket collectors. The 5.0 Mustangs have used these type header flanges for several years...even stock. That little option all but "sealed" the deal for me buying them. Although yours look to be nicely sealed, I cannot stand the 3 bolt flat flange that Hooker uses. And I wasn't too keen on a slip-joint like TPiS uses, so it all worked out in the end.
Last edited by rel3rd; Apr 13, 2007 at 08:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
My vette isnt lowered at all. Thanks for the pics guys. The headers I have are so close to touching the ground its not even funny. I'll have to invest in a new set now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 28
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
You're welcome. I'm heading to the UPS store now. I think you'll like them, I hope you will. If you don't I'll buy them back. I know they're just headers but I think they're about the coolest looking set I've ever seen for a C4. I like the way the pipes are routed.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
You're too late, I already have. They're on their way back here now. Obviously had I realized this problem, I wouldn't have sold them to him to begin with.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
rel3rd-- Are you running cats with the headers? If so where are they?
I want to get a set of Elites and your pic answered a question I had regarding how far back the collector was from the block/bellhousing flange. I want to run some cats with a true dual setup on mine.
Also, do you have an 02 sensor on the headers anywhere?
I want to get a set of Elites and your pic answered a question I had regarding how far back the collector was from the block/bellhousing flange. I want to run some cats with a true dual setup on mine.
Also, do you have an 02 sensor on the headers anywhere?
