Which headers really fit, CHIME IN!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Eden Utah
Which headers really fit, CHIME IN!!
I have spent several hours searching the forum and other places trying to find someone who has a set of 1 3/4 inch headers that really fit. I have a set of Headmans 1 5/8 on now on a set of 195 AFR's angle plugs on my 85. The fit is horrible and I have had to create my own tools to change plugs. I need to change headers to 1 3/4 and what I would like to know which headers really fit. I mean really fit. Below are comments off of another forum to give you an example..
"To my friend at Hedman Headers, 1986 C4. Header Jig they use for mass production.Do me a favor and Throw it away.I installed headers and few important tubes way off.
Now I removed header Cut out bad tube had bought new tube and gave to neighbor who is NAVY Instructor type welders. And WOW. Its so perfect now. Im gonna make a jigs and gift wrap it for HEDMAN. Dont know why they could not do this themselves.
P.S. Thanks for the Burnt rubber smell. NO ORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Actually feel like removing. And redoing others so spark plugs come out easy. Can easyily be adjusted. Cant figure out why????????
So please chime in if you have a set of headers that fit the criteria. Room to change plugs, and enough room around the plug boots.
"To my friend at Hedman Headers, 1986 C4. Header Jig they use for mass production.Do me a favor and Throw it away.I installed headers and few important tubes way off.
Now I removed header Cut out bad tube had bought new tube and gave to neighbor who is NAVY Instructor type welders. And WOW. Its so perfect now. Im gonna make a jigs and gift wrap it for HEDMAN. Dont know why they could not do this themselves.
P.S. Thanks for the Burnt rubber smell. NO ORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Actually feel like removing. And redoing others so spark plugs come out easy. Can easyily be adjusted. Cant figure out why????????
So please chime in if you have a set of headers that fit the criteria. Room to change plugs, and enough room around the plug boots.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
My 2151 Hookers do not with AFR's, I have them with my AFR 210's and I had to cut two tubes out on the pass side and add a length of longer header tube from Summit to clear my plugs, then I had them re-coated
only TPIS which i have seen in person and EM as far as I know
only TPIS which i have seen in person and EM as far as I know
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 2
From: High Ridge Missouri
This is an older thread of mine, but it shows multiple pics of the Hooker 2151s on the AFR 1040s on the engine stand during mock-up and some after the final installation in the car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...can-start.html
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
My Vette Tech Headers!
Oooops. $1 short and a day late.
Edit: If you don't get the joke, you didn't see the GIANT thread on these unique 4-2-1 headers (1-2yrs ago). Seriously, everyone complained of fit and sent there's back -- including me. To my surprise, after asking for the changes required to fix the two common problems, my replacement actually fit "right". (FYI: It took almost 1yr to get the set that was correct -- after I placed my original order! I waited another year for installation after deciding to build a 383. That's why I'm probably the last person to install theirs. It almost makes me want to email Brian and let him know he could have succeeded if he were a patient man! NOT!)
The most surprising thing is the plugs will actually be easier to change with these headers vs stock manifolds. Wow!
Brackets will need to be fabbed though.
Oooops. $1 short and a day late.
Edit: If you don't get the joke, you didn't see the GIANT thread on these unique 4-2-1 headers (1-2yrs ago). Seriously, everyone complained of fit and sent there's back -- including me. To my surprise, after asking for the changes required to fix the two common problems, my replacement actually fit "right". (FYI: It took almost 1yr to get the set that was correct -- after I placed my original order! I waited another year for installation after deciding to build a 383. That's why I'm probably the last person to install theirs. It almost makes me want to email Brian and let him know he could have succeeded if he were a patient man! NOT!)
The most surprising thing is the plugs will actually be easier to change with these headers vs stock manifolds. Wow!
Brackets will need to be fabbed though.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Jul 13, 2010 at 08:47 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
To the OP....Do you know there's supposed to be a big difference in quality between the "standard" line of Hedmans vs the Elite line? Though the later still isn't expensive, most people are satisfied with the initial fit.
Others may not consider changes from frame-to-frame and body-to-body that are SUPPOSED to be worse on C4s as compare to many other makes/models.
With the VT headers I received, there was some conjecture that issues with the #2 tube and right control arm might be related to sagging engine mounts. (That's just an example for illustration).
Others may not consider changes from frame-to-frame and body-to-body that are SUPPOSED to be worse on C4s as compare to many other makes/models.
With the VT headers I received, there was some conjecture that issues with the #2 tube and right control arm might be related to sagging engine mounts. (That's just an example for illustration).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Another vote for the Hookers here (2149s w/ emissions). I think it has a lot to do with the heads & plug angles, I have the older 195 AFRs w/ the L98 plug angle (not the regular angle plug they used to sell). I could be wrong, but I think everything is "L98" angle now as far as their SBC stuff is concerned.
#5 is kind of close, but everything else is wide open & easy.
#5 is kind of close, but everything else is wide open & easy.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Seems strange (by no means am I calling you a liar) I have Hooker 2151s and they fit my AFR 195s, angle plug 1040s just fine. Ports line up well, no sealing issues (I'm running Percy's square port aluminum header gaskets). The issues I had were the same that everyone has when installing the Hookers (no matter on to what head) you have to fab up your own accessory brackets and I had to make alot of the bolts. As far spark plugs go I know with the Hooker headers and everything I've removed from my engine I can change all eight in less than 15 minutes, if I ever get around to cutting down and modifying the evap core/HVAC case I'll knock that down to less than 10 minutes
This is an older thread of mine, but it shows multiple pics of the Hooker 2151s on the AFR 1040s on the engine stand during mock-up and some after the final installation in the car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...can-start.html
This is an older thread of mine, but it shows multiple pics of the Hooker 2151s on the AFR 1040s on the engine stand during mock-up and some after the final installation in the car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...can-start.html
,,,I had red plug boots that would turn white from the heat,,,, some might not be concerned,,, I talked to Tony @ AFR and he told me that only the Hedmann fit, and I talked to Hedmann and they said that their headers are no better than anyone else in terms of plug clearance.
I had no issues with the accessory brackets, and I too can change all of my plugs in 15-minutes with a hex socket and a box wrench, nor did I have any sealing issues
BTW, my buddy has TPIS and they clear perfectly,,
but I would not buy Hookers again if mine need replacing, I would buy TPIS or, I might buy a set of unncoated Hookers headers and cut the tubes for better clearance again, weld new tubes in and then have them coated.
Last edited by LD85; Jul 14, 2010 at 02:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Melrose builds headers for one car line...
Hooker has a good reputation. My Vette Tech needed a little pounding to fit.
Nothing is perfect and our cars are as variable in dimensions as the header Mfg.!!!
What fits one C4 might require a little banging to fit another?
TJM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
I was able to install my TPIS headers with the '91 on jack stands. They fit perfect (stock heads) and changing plugs is easy. The alt., A/C, and dipstick brackets bolt right up and the stock spark plug brackets work. The O2 sensor wiring worked fine.These are the non-smog headers.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I was able to install my TPIS headers with the '91 on jack stands. They fit perfect (stock heads) and changing plugs is easy. The alt., A/C, and dipstick brackets bolt right up and the stock spark plug brackets work. The O2 sensor wiring worked fine.These are the non-smog headers.
with a twist. I've had Stainless Works and TPIS now. Both are excellent headers and each one has it's own pluses and minues. Both fit really well but the guide pin holes had to be wobbled out some on the SW to get the bolts to line up. The TPIS are a little closer to the motor mounts than I'd like. Plugs on both have decent access. However #7 & 8 on the TPIS are harder to get to now. But #1 & #2 had to have a shorty socket to get the plugs out with on the SW. TPIS incorporates the use of the stock manifold bolts. That's a major plus to me! Nothing worse than messing with header nuts or bolts all the time. The 02 bungs were welded on the side of the collector on the TPIS. Don't know if this was on purpose or a assembly mistake. On the SW the primaries are welded on the head side of the flange. There was some roughness there that wasn't ground down. The TPIS are welded on the outside of the flange. Nice and smooth for the gasket to be able to seal good. Hope this helps a little.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
If anyone is interested, I will be selling my L98 Hooker Super Comp headers off my LT1 when going to ARH. All the modifications have been done to fit the LT1-- Air tubes removed, welding, and 02 sensors. Still in excellent condition.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga