Need Opinions: Which Headers?

[red71cheyenne]

Started putting on the stock mainifolds yesterday and they are warped beyond use. So, I need your opinion on which headers to use. Dynomax coated long tubes, or block huggers? The long tubes will require removing and reinstalling the clutch linkage, while the block huggers will slip right in. Any pics would be great too. Thanks, Jeff.

[LUV2XCLR8]

On the Blazer or your P/U ?

I'm assuming the Blazer, well you know what they say, everyone
has an opinion and they are entitled to it, I used a mid length on
"GQ" (And no they are not chevelle headers) lots of pic's in linky
within my sig, page 15 I think, I could not be happier with mine,
I wanted to be able to run my pipes over the transfer case area
without using extreme bends on my exhaust, with these headers
everything is tucked up in there, pages 16-18, You can get them
from JEGS or Summit, they are HEADMAN "ELITES", they do have
the ceramic coated finish, ball flanges (leak less) & much thicker
flanges on the head side also, I was very impressed with them

HEADMAN ELITE CERAMIC COATED HEADERS

SUMMIT - #HED-69830
JEG'S - #500-69830

$274.XX DELIVERED TO MY DOOR FROM JEG'S

THESE ARE FOR 4WD BLAZERS ONLY, WON'T FIT 2WD

[red71cheyenne]

Yep I meant the Blazer Luv. Those look nice. I think I would have to remove the clutch linkage to get them in and out too. Looks like the downtube for nuber 7 cylinder is in the same place as the long tubes. Thats why I was wondering about the block huggers. They'll clear the motor mounts and not interfere with the linkage if I run the connection to the collectors below it. Any other opinions out there?

[Mike C]

Heddmans. IME, they were the only ones who make a header that will work with the stock clutch linkage. "Some slight modification" to the linkage specified by the other headers I tried meant moving the fram bracket over 2" and shortening the rod.

I ditched my headers and 2 1/4" exhaust for factory 2 1/2" 'vette manifolds and 2 1/2" exhuast with Dynomax Hemi Turbo mufflers (20" case). This is one of best mods I have done to truck and would still recommend it even though manifolds are now $125 each.

[Jimmy72custom]

I went with the Hedman Headers when I switched over to the SM465, because it cleared the clutch linkage. But I did have to grind about 1/4 inch off the passenger side frame rail for comfortable clearance. I went with the bottom of the line, no coating, no chrome, I have been happy with them. I will try to get a pic up soon.

[71jimmy]

Good info guys, happen to have the hedman p/n? MikeC, what you did is what I'm thinking of doing, but didn't realize the manifolds were that expensive. Haven't really seriously looked into it since I'm not at that stage yet. I've read that the ram horn manifolds are just as good as going to headers for rigs that are more for torq than HP and top speed.

[jakeslim]

I'm running hedman's 69234 in both my 69 and 77 with no clutch linkage or frame problems. They are also C.A.R.B approved for use in California(needed for my 77 k5)

[Mike C]

I've had my Heddmans since 1990. they would still be fine with slip on collectors, but the flange has rusted where they won't seal with the 3 bolt gasket.

GM has discontinued the manifolds. They are still available, but price has gone from $75 each when I did mine in 2000 to $125 or so. I just bought a new fuel pickup for my Camaro. In my '03 catalog, the OER reproduction and the GM were both $59. Now the OER is $59 and the GM $159!

GM's pricing may make money, but they really need to think about customer retention as a positive for their business model...

[red71cheyenne]

Thanks for the input guys, sounds like the Headmans are the way to go. I like regular headers better than the block huggers anyway, just needed to make sure I cleared the clutch linkage. Jeff.