Header Question

[Chevyholic]

I know these header questions have been beat to death and I've read through quite a few threads, but still have some lingering questions. Thanks for any input you can provide.

Looking for new headers for my 350 bored .030 over. Looking for something ceramic coated, would love stainless steel, but trying to keep it under $400.00. Right now I'm looking at Hedman vs. Hooker. Here are the specs:

Hedman Street - 1 5/8" primary, 1/4" flange, ball and socket collector, 16 gauge steel.

Hooker Comps - 1 5/8" primary, 5/16" flange, 3 bolt flange, 16 gauge steel.

So, same primary and same gauge steel. Primary difference is flange thickness and collector type. I know Hookers have a great reputation, but the 3 bolt collector flange always makes me nervous. Is Hooker that much better otherwise, to make the difference. Is there another reputable manufacturer that provides a similar quality product in my price range?

Thanks again for any help!!

Cheers.

[bigjimzlll]

I have used the flowtech headers and found they fit good and the quality was fine. Especially for the price.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[Chevyholic]

Originally Posted by bigjimzlll

I have used the flowtech headers and found they fit good and the quality was fine. Especially for the price.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Thanks for the tip! You haven't had any problems with heat being that its only 18 gauge? I saw those, but was concerned about thickness. It appears you race, by your signature, which I love by the way, so you probably drive harder than I ever will.

Thanks again!
David

[bigjimzlll]

I live in a really dry area, and the headers I used were not coated. I used them for about 4 years, then gave them away to a board member, and I believe he is still using them.

The hooker comps are a good header for sure and so are the hedmans. I'm just not sure they are worth 200.00 more.

[Billla]

Originally Posted by bigjimzlll

I have used the flowtech headers and found they fit good and the quality was fine. Especially for the price.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Not to contradict Jim but sharing an alternate experience - the Flowtechs WOULD NOT FIT my '72. The Hooker's fit perfectly. I have a thread on this in the Reviews section.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226010

I posted a picture on the thread below that highlighted the problem - interference with the engine mount towers.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...13#post2017213

You can see on the thread that many folks have used these headers to good effect - and others haven't, but there haven't been ANY complaints on either the Hooker or Hedmann headers.

[Chevyholic]

Well, thanks again everyone for the input. I went ahead and got the Headman's. I didn't go with the ceramic coat and just went with painted. As with all old trucks, I'm already "in" to this thing more than I thought in the first month, so checked my "wants" at the door. I really only plan on using this on weekends and occasional evenings, so felt it hard to justify the extra $200.00.

What little experience I do have, I have with Headmen, so it wasn't as much of a reach. Less expensive than Hooker and wasn't as unknown as Flowtech, although I'm sure their fine based on Jim's recommendation.

Thanks again,
David

[BP68]

I started with some long tube headmans with the silver coating.

They coating discolored while the truck was sitting stored and they didn't
look good with all my shiny stuff on the motor, plus I was worried about clearance since I was going with a 4/6 drop.

I ended up with Sanderson mid length ceramic coated headders. I am still building the truck and haven't run them yet, but they looked and fit 100 times better than the old ones and seem to have a good reputation. Plus they fit your budget.

Check out my link for some pics.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=203063

Hope this helps

[underdog8704]

i have hedmans on my truck. im pretty unhappy with how the have turned out over the last 6 or 7 months. i went ahead and spent the extra money to get the ceramic coating, hoping to keep temps down and have a good looking header that would last awhile. they are now rusting alot down at the collector and have lost all their luster.