Stock or headers? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

74Pumpkin · 01-09-2004, 01:27 AM

What do you guys think. I have a set of cheap headers on the truck now. 2nd set in 5 years. I'm thinking of putting back on a set of stock exaust manifolds for durablity. As much as I'd love to have a power house for an engine, I don't, so performance is not key.
Should I get another set of headers?
Should I stop being cheap and get a good set?
Should I look for a used set of stock manifolds?

Any thoughts?

BADGMC · 01-09-2004, 01:51 AM

I would keep the headers just for the increase in gas milage. What kind of headers do you have? I've had my flowtech afterburners on for like 4 years now and they're still really solid. The really cheap ones use 18 gauge tubing which is junk. Get a middle priced set with 16 gauge tubes and you will be suprised how much longer they will last.

Prerunner1982 · 01-09-2004, 06:23 AM

or just get a good set and not worry about them.

74Pumpkin · 01-09-2004, 10:33 AM

I have a set of Heddman headers There not gone yet but on the way out.
I can't expect to much for $99 can I now.

TIMSPEED · 01-09-2004, 05:14 PM

Yeah, I have those $100 hedmann's too. Hopefully they'll last a while longer, until I save up enough to get coated shorties or coated super comp's...

76bonanza · 01-09-2004, 06:16 PM

Why do people use shorties? For clearence issues? Long tubes are much better from a performance side?

**swervin ervin** · 01-09-2004, 06:20 PM

When you drop a truck, and use long tube headers, you soon tire of the hitting everything you go over.

IMO, it's a big waste of money to put headers on anything and not have them ceramic coated.

74Pumpkin · 01-10-2004, 12:29 AM

What does a set of Ceramic go for? In a shorty?

**swervin ervin** · 01-10-2004, 12:43 AM

I'm not sure on regular shorties. I have Edelbrock TES headers that I sent to High Performance Coatings and had them coated.

From what I read, the coatings on already coated headers are not as good. Just from what I've seen others say about theirs starting to get surface rust on them. Of course this was the cheaper coated headers.

I recommend buying the headers you like and not some cheap crap. Then send them off and get them coated inside/out. Of course this ain't cheap, but it will last.

You get what you pay for. If your truck is something you are planning on keeping for a long time, spend the money now. You'll be glad you did down the road.

Mike

stepside454 · 01-10-2004, 12:58 AM

my lowered stepper had long tubes on it that were draggin on everything.
I didnt realize how hard it is to find shorty headers for 73-87 with a big block. Finally found a set from Sanderson & I love em. I dont notice any loss in power. They claim that shorty headers will lose some low end over long tubes...but give more top end.
In my case, I can sacrifice low end as itll smoke the tires through first & second gears

01-09-2004, 01:27 AM	#1
74Pumpkin Insert witty comment here Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lakeville Minnesota Posts: 388	Stock or headers? What do you guys think. I have a set of cheap headers on the truck now. 2nd set in 5 years. I'm thinking of putting back on a set of stock exaust manifolds for durablity. As much as I'd love to have a power house for an engine, I don't, so performance is not key. Should I get another set of headers? Should I stop being cheap and get a good set? Should I look for a used set of stock manifolds? Any thoughts? __________________ So many trucks, So little time!

01-09-2004, 01:51 AM	#2
BADGMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 162	I would keep the headers just for the increase in gas milage. What kind of headers do you have? I've had my flowtech afterburners on for like 4 years now and they're still really solid. The really cheap ones use 18 gauge tubing which is junk. Get a middle priced set with 16 gauge tubes and you will be suprised how much longer they will last. __________________ 85 GMC 1/2 ton LWB 4150lbs. 383 SBC with Twin MPT70 Turbos 850 CSU carb TH375 3.70 gears Ultimate 10" Converter 10.11@136.6 with 1.64 60ft. on 10.5-31-15W

01-09-2004, 06:23 AM	#3
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	or just get a good set and not worry about them. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

01-09-2004, 10:33 AM	#4
74Pumpkin Insert witty comment here Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lakeville Minnesota Posts: 388	I have a set of Heddman headers There not gone yet but on the way out. I can't expect to much for $99 can I now. __________________ So many trucks, So little time!

01-09-2004, 05:14 PM	#5
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Yeah, I have those $100 hedmann's too. Hopefully they'll last a while longer, until I save up enough to get coated shorties or coated super comp's... __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

01-09-2004, 06:16 PM	#6
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Why do people use shorties? For clearence issues? Long tubes are much better from a performance side? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

01-09-2004, 06:20 PM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	When you drop a truck, and use long tube headers, you soon tire of the hitting everything you go over. IMO, it's a big waste of money to put headers on anything and not have them ceramic coated. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

01-10-2004, 12:29 AM	#8
74Pumpkin Insert witty comment here Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lakeville Minnesota Posts: 388	What does a set of Ceramic go for? In a shorty? __________________ So many trucks, So little time!

01-10-2004, 12:43 AM	#9
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	I'm not sure on regular shorties. I have Edelbrock TES headers that I sent to High Performance Coatings and had them coated. From what I read, the coatings on already coated headers are not as good. Just from what I've seen others say about theirs starting to get surface rust on them. Of course this was the cheaper coated headers. I recommend buying the headers you like and not some cheap crap. Then send them off and get them coated inside/out. Of course this ain't cheap, but it will last. You get what you pay for. If your truck is something you are planning on keeping for a long time, spend the money now. You'll be glad you did down the road. Mike

01-10-2004, 12:58 AM	#10
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	my lowered stepper had long tubes on it that were draggin on everything. I didnt realize how hard it is to find shorty headers for 73-87 with a big block. Finally found a set from Sanderson & I love em. I dont notice any loss in power. They claim that shorty headers will lose some low end over long tubes...but give more top end. In my case, I can sacrifice low end as itll smoke the tires through first & second gears __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered



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