Aftermarket Headers Vs. Stock Manifolds

[Space Monkey]

What do you guys think? When I bought my truck she had Hooker headers with a big nasty dent in the driver's side header. They seem to be more trouble than they're worth. They're hot and they're in the way of eveything.

Since I'm replacing them I'm wondering if I should get similar headers and wrap them, get shorter headers, or just go with the stock manifolds from a pick and pull.

Thoughts?

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by Space Monkey

What do you guys think? When I bought my truck she had Hooker headers with a big nasty dent in the driver's side header. They seem to be more trouble than they're worth. They're hot and they're in the way of eveything.

Since I'm replacing them I'm wondering if I should get similar headers and wrap them, get shorter headers, or just go with the stock manifolds from a pick and pull.

Thoughts?

I've got headman elite headers. From what I understand most people like them over some of the cheaper headers. They were still a pain to get to the spark plugs (harder than manifolds) and I had to change tranny crossmembers to get the exhaust to look decent without any bends. Oh, and its a PITA to get to the starter which will probably start to go out soon since it's a stock one and close to the header. They sounds really great though but my engine is a little above stock. I don't think they'd be worth it on a stock engine.

[Space Monkey]

My engine isn't stock either. Intake, carb, cam, headers, and starter are all aftermarket.

[fast75]

headers are good for performance not to mention the sound. they come with issues tho, blown header gaskets, header bolts coming loose. these issues are rare with stock manifolds. i'm still running hedman headers with 40 series flow masters. like everyone else running headers, i just deal with the issues.

[Blackpony]

Before I did an ls swap, I was running some cheapo flow tech headers. I rarely had a issue with them. Maybe once every couple years I would need new gaskets. But I never once had an issue with bolts coming loose. A tip for that is put a little copper silicon on the threads before installing the bolts. My starter was a piece of cake to remove as was oil filter. There were a couple plugs that posed a challenge to change.
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[motornut]

I clean out stock manifolds
dosn't make it any quieter lol
with flowmaster 40s, it sounds like more then stock 305-2B that it is

[silvereagle07]

You could always try the ram horn manifolds like the ones at speedway motors. They look good and have plenty of clearance for plugs.

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by silvereagle07

You could always try the ram horn manifolds like the ones at speedway motors. They look good and have plenty of clearance for plugs.

Not to mention they flow great as well.

[kwmech]

My current truck has headers on it (big block) they are a royal pain in the ...
It's just a stock truck with a big block, I'm changing it back to manifolds next week with a single 3'' pipe and a magnaflow muffler. More than enough for what I use the truck for.

[Anchorism]

Originally Posted by kwmech

My current truck has headers on it (big block) they are a royal pain in the ...
It's just a stock truck with a big block, I'm changing it back to manifolds next week with a single 3'' pipe and a magnaflow muffler. More than enough for what I use the truck for.

What makes it such a pain? Also what brand did you try?

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Anchorism

What makes it such a pain? Also what brand did you try?

The headers were on the truck when I bought it, so I have no idea what brand they are...........ah, the pain.....how about leaking gaskets at the head and the collector about once year it seems, spark lug access burned wires occasionally, because the shields got tossed when the headers were put on. MY OPINION on headers for a stock truck....not needed....other mods can be made without first tearing the whole exhaust apart front to back.

AND let's not forget the usual starter overheat, big block, summertime etc.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by kwmech

My current truck has headers on it (big block) they are a royal pain in the ...
It's just a stock truck with a big block, I'm changing it back to manifolds next week with a single 3'' pipe and a magnaflow muffler. More than enough for what I use the truck for.

It's very common to see stock big block trucks with headers. When worked hard, they often crack the manifolds and guys put headers on them to save money and hopefully improve fuel economy.

That said, I put a pair of new cast iron manifolds in my big block truck recently. Dorman brand. Good fitment and substantially beefed up in several areas compared to the original manifolds. Rockauto had the best bottom line price including delivery compared to everyone else.
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[hellbounder]

Headman makes a nice mid length header for these trucks. My old 79' I got rid of had a set of hookers on it . I think I replaced a header collector gasket once in I don't know how many years they were on that thing.
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[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

It's very common to see stock big block trucks with headers. When worked hard, they often crack the manifolds and guys put headers on them to save money and hopefully improve fuel economy.

That said, I put a pair of new cast iron manifolds in my big block truck recently. Dorman brand. Good fitment and substantially beefed up in several areas compared to the original manifolds. Rockauto had the best bottom line price including delivery compared to everyone else.
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I've got some brand new dormans sitting on my work bench, good to know they are beefed where needed

[hyatt]

just to answer in short form Headers Suck

[Anchorism]

Im a firm believer that if they are a quality header and installed right ie tightening every couple hundred miles for a couple thousand and proper heat shielding installed they should be fine. I was told to watch for a good thick mounting plate surface to prevent warping makes a world of difference with a bbc.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Using lock washers keeps the bolts from loosening.
Number 5 and 4 or 6? Cylinder plugs can be a little tricky.
A gasket company called REMFLEX makes great gaskets that will seal headers that are more warped than a politician.

A good header will increase torque over any manifold because they use a collector which scavenges the exhaust out of a cylinder basicly. Basic header works. A longer tube produces more low end and shorties produce top end but are good for clearances and other uses

Manifolds are sturdy and low maintenance but they can crack and they also don't flow to good. Exhaust routing is easy and they don't make it hard to get to plugs and such

I prefer headers but I use my truck differently than most
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[meatwagon83]

for me the benefits of headers far out weigh the cons of them!

[AntiGov]

my stock manifolds leak 454 , im afraid to tighten them up , something is goin to break ......Im thinking headers and new dual exhaust will be better

[77chevyinline6]

headers look better flow better sound better lighter weight, whats there not to like?

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by 77chevyinline6

headers look better flow better sound better lighter weight, whats there not to like?

Burned plug wires, spark plug access, and heat soaked starters.

There's plenty of opposing viewpoints on this subject
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[Rich84]

There's plenty of opposing viewpoints on this subject
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I'll say..Every thread about headers is the same..Drives me crazy. I read every one and keep changing my mind every time. It seems to be pretty much 50/50 for or against.

[Space Monkey]

Does seem pretty 50/50.
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[Tx Firefighter]

No one will ever dispute that headers add power and mileage. But they also bring their own negatives into play. There is often gasket issues and bolt issues. Plus they usually crowd one or more of the spark plugs and add the worry of burning the plug wires. Plus they're hell on starters with the heat they radiate.

You can address the gasket and bolt issues. And you can add a heat shield to the starter or get a mini starter.

Personally, I like bombproof stuff that doesn't cause me any added work. That's why I'm a manifold guy. I've had a lot of headers in the past, but have found their advantages don't outweigh their added difficulty.....for me.
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[GM-power]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

No one will ever dispute that headers add power and mileage. But they also bring their own negatives into play. There is often gasket issues and bolt issues. Plus they usually crowd one or more of the spark plugs and add the worry of burning the plug wires. Plus they're hell on starters with the heat they radiate.

You can address the gasket and bolt issues. And you can add a heat shield to the starter or get a mini starter.

Personally, I like bombproof stuff that doesn't cause me any added work. That's why I'm a manifold guy. I've had a lot of headers in the past, but have found their advantages don't outweigh their added difficulty.....for me.
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I agree! To much of a headache for small gains.
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