1981 Side Pipes, Hooker or Doug's?
 

So I really love the looks of side pipes and my state lets me get away with that so which do you all recommend? I see so many people brag about Hooker Headers but the ones I found are 18 gauge while Doug's headers are a little cheaper and a thicker 16 gauge. I have not looked at other brands so feel free if you have suggestions. Thanks all as always.

Mike

Recommend stainless steel headers. Pick your brand.

Check into Billy Boat Ceramic headers/side pipes...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...25da212dfc.jpg

I have Doug's and they are very good. The only thing I sort of messed up on was I bought the black ones, which I love, but I assumed they were painted. I took the car out in the rain once and they got all pitted up. Apparently it's just a primer (called them and complained... yada yada) So I took them off and painted them nice with header paint and they are fine. As far as the fitment they were fine. I had to do some 'adjusting' on the holes in the frame but that is pretty normal and it's not difficult. I think Doug's is pretty good quality. :thumbs:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5bab526c50.jpg

I've had both and OBX. They all fit well and had no issues.with any of them.

I have OBX no fitment issues no complaints.

I don't have them installed yet but just received Doug's Headers ceramic coated headers/side pipes for my '79. It took 4 sets for me to get one that hadn't been damaged in shipping and Summit agreed to package them better on the last one, which worked - all 3 previous sets, the flange of one header had punched through the side of the box. I slightly prefer the look of the Hooker set, but the price difference was too great for me to be that worried about it. The Doug's set looks great.

I wanted the ceramic over stainless, personally, as I have concerns about temps both under-hood and the side pipes themselves, though I most likely will still get shields for them. I also live in a place where I don't really worry about rust, so that helps.

Also I didn't think about it at the time for some reason, but I had planned eventually to go to an EFI setup...so much for that, because I'm not getting my headers re-coated after drilling for an O2 sensor. Carb it is!