What headers?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,465
Likes: 1,223
From: Fredonia WI
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I would go with Stainless Works.
There is|was a Chinese knockoff for SW, but ...
There is|was a Chinese knockoff for SW, but ...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 175
From: IN
Hello!
Please keep in mind that current iteration of the Stainless Works headers are a slightly different design than the originals I was involved in helping develop 20+ years ago (when Al Noe was still with the company). The primaries / collectors are shorter now, but I have no idea as to what power difference that may make (it's very possible Marc Haibeck has that information). I really don't know why they changed the design, possibly for making it easier to install cats. If you want the 'original design' long-tube SWs, Watson, Jeal, or Henderson (don't know that Corey is still making his), the only avenue is to find them used. The only 'new' options are the current SW's or the OBX (Chinese) copy.
Brian A.
84 Z51 coupe
90 ZR-1
12.09@118
01 Z06
not quite stock
64 Convertible
"Soon"
Please keep in mind that current iteration of the Stainless Works headers are a slightly different design than the originals I was involved in helping develop 20+ years ago (when Al Noe was still with the company). The primaries / collectors are shorter now, but I have no idea as to what power difference that may make (it's very possible Marc Haibeck has that information). I really don't know why they changed the design, possibly for making it easier to install cats. If you want the 'original design' long-tube SWs, Watson, Jeal, or Henderson (don't know that Corey is still making his), the only avenue is to find them used. The only 'new' options are the current SW's or the OBX (Chinese) copy.
Brian A.
84 Z51 coupe
90 ZR-1
12.09@118
01 Z06
not quite stock
64 Convertible
"Soon"
Last edited by ZR WON; Jul 30, 2025 at 11:42 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,465
Likes: 1,223
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 175
From: IN
Nice!
Do you know if they are 1-7/8 or 2" primaries? They are rare, but Watson did make 1-7/8, and they claimed on a stock car (no ported top end), they added midrange torque with no sacrifice in top end power. Given their rarity, I seriously doubt there are any verifiable dyno results to prove that statement. Also, you may have to 'dimple' the number one primary to clear the intermediate steering shaft.
Brian A.
Do you know if they are 1-7/8 or 2" primaries? They are rare, but Watson did make 1-7/8, and they claimed on a stock car (no ported top end), they added midrange torque with no sacrifice in top end power. Given their rarity, I seriously doubt there are any verifiable dyno results to prove that statement. Also, you may have to 'dimple' the number one primary to clear the intermediate steering shaft.
Brian A.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,465
Likes: 1,223
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 1,716
From: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 13
From: Grand Island NY
1-7/8 primaries. Thanks for the info
Nice!
Do you know if they are 1-7/8 or 2" primaries? They are rare, but Watson did make 1-7/8, and they claimed on a stock car (no ported top end), they added midrange torque with no sacrifice in top end power. Given their rarity, I seriously doubt there are any verifiable dyno results to prove that statement. Also, you may have to 'dimple' the number one primary to clear the intermediate steering shaft.
Brian A.
Do you know if they are 1-7/8 or 2" primaries? They are rare, but Watson did make 1-7/8, and they claimed on a stock car (no ported top end), they added midrange torque with no sacrifice in top end power. Given their rarity, I seriously doubt there are any verifiable dyno results to prove that statement. Also, you may have to 'dimple' the number one primary to clear the intermediate steering shaft.
Brian A.