Best quality headers?
 

I'm putting a 1969 4 bolt main 383 010/020 block with AFR195 heads in my 1968 50th anniversary SWB.
Looking for input from others who's headers they have the best luck with quality and clearance. Bigger diameter tubes preferred for running up to 6500 rpm.
Post some pics please of your setup if you can.

Thanks in advance!
Chad

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Sanderson makes a quality product. Look into the model CC1 on their website. Multiple coatings/colors/diameters/etc. I have a crate 350 with iron heads. Nothing fancy. They fit and seal great. The coating looks awesome.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I'll have to agree on the Sanderson headers, although I have a big block vs small block I was very happy with the fit and quality.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Nice looking engine, I'm using the same timing cover and dampener, but on a BB. I'm running Hedman Elites, very nice quality - thick flanges, thick tubes and a nice ceramic coating. Very happy with them.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I've got them on my Ford, but my Sandersons are great.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Here's a pic of the Sanderson's on a BB

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I have bought MANY different headers over the years and some sucked and the rest were just OK.

I never was truly impressed with fit, finish and quality of any until I bought a set of JBAs for my 2004 GTO. They are now about 5 years old and still look brand new. Because of that I bought some for my C10. Not much to report on those ones, but here are a couple pics

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I have a set of hedman, no miles on them so I have no opinion yet.

An interesting video, mostly about power affects of dented headers but what I found amazing is the heat difference between coated and non coated headers. An incredible difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Dougs , also makes a quality product

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I have the stainless works headers and they are great. I haven't had to retighten them since the break in. I have kept a check on them and they haven't need any.:chevy:

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/...psb92c5131.jpg

http://stainlessworks.net/

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Thanks everybody for your input, appreciated!

Re: Best quality headers?
 

We have had great luck with the Hooker Super Comp headers on many different builds and engines. Not the cheapest...nor the most expensive, but a very good product IMO.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Really?

I never had much luck with perfect fitment and their coating didn't last more than 2 years on two different sets of their coated headers?

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I bought Tri Y when I had headers ...

Then I went back to factory dual exhaust - this clip is with factory exhaust with Spintech mufflers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1LXf66LGaY

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Are dougs headers

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I believe Doug's and JBA's are made by the same people. They just have different target buyers

Re: Best quality headers?
 

What I like about this site compared to a lots of the other cars site is how we conduct ourselves as adults on here. I've been in the car restoration business most of my life and by doing so I have offered my advice and/or opinion whichever way you want to look at it to others as I see it. On the other sites I finally just quit giving any as it wasn't worth the hassle. Here it's different and I intend to help keep it that way.

Back in the 70s and 80s you couldn't have got me to use Hooker headers, after trying a few sets of them. Rod Run is right the fitment and coating was terrible. Maybe the quality has improved since Holley acquired them. We had to use them again when the LS craze first started as that was sometimes the only chose available. At that point we were reintroduced to them and the quality had vastly improved. They have been used on supercharged, nitrous feed and endurance ran car where they have held up very well for the money. On my 69 Camaro that I'm building to run on the Silver State Classic, I'm probably going to use a set of stainless steel headers that are very expensive and I'll have to save up for. (That's part of the reason it's been a long term build and also due to the fact that the money I saved for it was dumped into the 72 K10 it will stay that way)

Remember my friends these are only my opinions and we all know what that's worth.

Re: Best quality headers?
 

I like the ceramic coated Hedman Elite 69088 for a tough good looking header. Ceramic Coated 14 gage long tubes with 3/8" flanges. I like the ball & socket collector connections as well! ;)

Re: Best quality headers?
 

This time around I put a set of Headman Stainless Steel Elites on my truck.
Now the truck isn't finished and hasn't been run yet, so I have no feedback other than installation & a couple of pics.

My set-up is; 383 1st gen vortec heads with a 700R4 trany. So my engine has been moved forward about 2 ins. I had some very slight header to frame clearance issues due to moving the engine forward. ( slight clearancing needed on the frame ) If your engine is in the stock location I believe this wouldn't be an issue.

I chose these because they are Stainless steel and Ball & Socket Collectors.
So no rusting and no collector gaskets.

Headman # 62230

Re: Best quality headers?
 

Dougs or headmans have usually worked out well for me , I have had some hookers [supercomps] that would not go in the vehicle no matter what , even with serious modification IE BFH . That was in a big block chevelle , a car that should be one of their top sellers , Chevrolet made millions of them , chevelles that is .

Re: Best quality headers?
 

That is a perfect statement. I think most of us on here feel that exact same way, everytime we give our opinion on something