Thorley headers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nima · 12-07-2004, 01:31 AM

Hi everybody;
What is your experience/opinion about thorley headers? I even don't know how much they cost but I read something somewhere that they are very good headers. Do you prefer them to hookers? Based on what I read on different threads, looks like to me the hookers fit well in our trucks. The only concern I have with hooker headers is, I've been told that I can only use long tube hooker competion series (I have 70's 350 engine) and I don't like the fact long tube one hanging low under the truck. Also, Hookers competion series, at least on the picture, doesn't look as tough as some other headers. I know this is too subjective opinion though. Anyways, I'll appreciate your inputs. Thanks, Nima.
P.S. Is 14 gauge steel thicker than 16 and 16 thicker than 18 and etc, or vice versa (excuse my spelling if it is wrong!)

68LSS1 · 12-07-2004, 01:40 AM

Having never personally owned a set of Thorley headers I can't say but I've always heard good about them. If you can go with something other than Hookers I'd do it. Not to impressed with their quality these days. Had to weld up a friends less than year old LS1 LT's as they were cracking around the head flange and primary tubes. And yes, 14 is thicker than 16 and 16 thicker than 18, etc.

**StingRay** · 12-07-2004, 10:47 AM

I had a set if tri y's way back about 20 years ago and they were very well made. They were 14 ga and tough as nails. I whacked em on the pavement more than a few times and it hardly even scratched em.

junkyardjohn · 12-07-2004, 01:43 PM

I'VE USED DOUG THORLEY HEADERS & IMO THEY ARE GREAT HEADERS. ALL I EVER USE ARE DOUG THORLY OR HOOKER SUPER COMPETITION HEADERS. CHEAP HEADERS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY & A SURE SOURCE OF FUTURE AGGREVATION. EXHAUST SYSTEMS, BRAKES & ELECTRICAL GREMLINS ARE THE WORST TYPE OF PROBLEMS FOR ME , & IF ICAN SPEND A FEW EXTRA BUCKS TO DO AWAY WITH ONE OF THEM, I CONSIDER IT MONEY WELL SPENT.

JOHN

GMan69 · 12-07-2004, 05:19 PM

I chose Thorley tri-y's for my truck. Heavier guage tubes should outlast most other brands and thicker flanges won't warp. However, one tube on driver side is about 1/4" from the back edge of the lower A- arm where the grease fitting is. Also, kind of close to the starter on passenger side. I'll post pics when I can find them.

12-07-2004, 01:31 AM	#1
Nima Blue 67 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,179	Thorley headers Hi everybody; What is your experience/opinion about thorley headers? I even don't know how much they cost but I read something somewhere that they are very good headers. Do you prefer them to hookers? Based on what I read on different threads, looks like to me the hookers fit well in our trucks. The only concern I have with hooker headers is, I've been told that I can only use long tube hooker competion series (I have 70's 350 engine) and I don't like the fact long tube one hanging low under the truck. Also, Hookers competion series, at least on the picture, doesn't look as tough as some other headers. I know this is too subjective opinion though. Anyways, I'll appreciate your inputs. Thanks, Nima. P.S. Is 14 gauge steel thicker than 16 and 16 thicker than 18 and etc, or vice versa (excuse my spelling if it is wrong!)

12-07-2004, 01:40 AM	#2
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Having never personally owned a set of Thorley headers I can't say but I've always heard good about them. If you can go with something other than Hookers I'd do it. Not to impressed with their quality these days. Had to weld up a friends less than year old LS1 LT's as they were cracking around the head flange and primary tubes. And yes, 14 is thicker than 16 and 16 thicker than 18, etc. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

12-07-2004, 10:47 AM	#3
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	I had a set if tri y's way back about 20 years ago and they were very well made. They were 14 ga and tough as nails. I whacked em on the pavement more than a few times and it hardly even scratched em. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

12-07-2004, 01:43 PM	#4
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	I'VE USED DOUG THORLEY HEADERS & IMO THEY ARE GREAT HEADERS. ALL I EVER USE ARE DOUG THORLY OR HOOKER SUPER COMPETITION HEADERS. CHEAP HEADERS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY & A SURE SOURCE OF FUTURE AGGREVATION. EXHAUST SYSTEMS, BRAKES & ELECTRICAL GREMLINS ARE THE WORST TYPE OF PROBLEMS FOR ME , & IF ICAN SPEND A FEW EXTRA BUCKS TO DO AWAY WITH ONE OF THEM, I CONSIDER IT MONEY WELL SPENT. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

12-07-2004, 05:19 PM	#5
GMan69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hernando, MS USA Posts: 1,152	I chose Thorley tri-y's for my truck. Heavier guage tubes should outlast most other brands and thicker flanges won't warp. However, one tube on driver side is about 1/4" from the back edge of the lower A- arm where the grease fitting is. Also, kind of close to the starter on passenger side. I'll post pics when I can find them. __________________ George Morgan Hernando, MS '69 C-10 swb fleetside '72 GMC swb Stepside



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