What type of headers are good for the street?

[76Blue_Beast]

Hello All,

New here and wanted to meet some people and maybe get some answers for my 76 long bed truck.

As I've stated already its a 76 not sure if it is a Chevy or GMC (Grill says one thing but the cad emblem says another). Im not sure what more it is but that it has a 350 / 350 turbo tranny, 3/4 ton running gear and is 2x4. The motor I was told was rebuilt a few years ago but no paperwork to go with it so not reall sure. My engine harnes had a short recently and nearly burnt down my apt complex lol while I was working but the fire department put it out and cut my battery cables. The harness is in the mail and on the way thanks to American Auto wire so once I get that done this week I will hopefull have it running. Next is a guy who is going to build the tranny up for me with a shift kit and some other goodies. After that I need to have the exaust done. I figured that I might as well replace the headers and then have someone do the exause work. My question is what brand of headers should I go with seeing how I have no idea what to do? Headman, Hooker or any others? Long , short ? Specs? These are all questions I'm asking myself. All oppinions welcome. I will post pics soon.

Thanks,

[INSIDIOUS '86]

welcome to the forum neighbor!

I have always had good luck with hedman longtubes on these trucks

[76Blue_Beast]

Can you give me a brief run down of the differences? It has 350/ 4brl holy carb too if that makes any difference lol

[INSIDIOUS '86]

big topic, I will let the experts from car craft try and explain it
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...t/viewall.html

[76Blue_Beast]

Ok sweet so it sounds like long tube is the way I want to go. is there anything I should stay clear of? Are they fairly easy to swap out?


Thanks for the site info! :-)

[INSIDIOUS '86]

stay away from flowtech afterburners really

[76Blue_Beast]

Ok will do. I think I can get a decent set of headman or hooker for 350$ or under? I don't think i should have to pay more. I have seen prices anywhere from 100- ish +! Wish I knew how to well and had a tube bender as i would try this all myself.

Any recomended sites for purchasing?


Thanks again. Everyone is friendly on here

[76Blue_Beast]

Does anyone have a set of headers they are looking to get rid of that are in great shape or are new?

[Cue-Ball]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

stay away from flowtech afterburners really

Any particular reason? In this header shootout the Flowtechs made more low end torque than all the others (yes, even longtubes). Not only that, but this is on a 400 hp 383. On a 305 or mild 350 the difference would be even more pronounced. I have a set of these exact Flowtechs for my Camaro. Haven't got to use them yet, but they seem very well made with decent size flanges and they were fairly inexpensive. If they'll fit, I plan on buying a second set for my truck.

[85silverbeast]

Will older headers fit vortec heads? sorry for the thread jack.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

ahh whats arizona doing in our NW thread?!! haha

last I heard it was very hit and miss with afterburners they did good on low but killed top end


also try looking on craigslist for headers I have seen them around the are for about 75-100 dollars

[terryj]

I run Headman's on my truck with 2 1/2" exhaust. One reason I like Headman is they have a ball flange on the collector which allows a tilt in any directon upto 20 degrees, that is if your using the matching exhaust to collector x-tension.

[Cue-Ball]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

ahh whats arizona doing in our NW thread?!! haha

Didn't even notice that until you pointed it out.

last I heard it was very hit and miss with afterburners they did good on low but killed top end

In general, smaller primaries are better on the low end and larger primaries are better on the top end. You sacrifice one to get the other. The Flowtechs (not all of them, but certain models) use 1.5" primaries. These lose top end (again, in general) but more than make up for it on the bottom end. I'd gladly sacrifice 10 horsepower at 5000 RPM for an additional 25 ft/lbs at 3000 RPM - especially in a 4500 lb truck that needs all the torque it can get.

[86dragracer]

I ran Flowtech alot 10 years ago on my 86 and couldnt keep the tubes from cracking at the collectors. Changed to hooker comp headers with 1 5/8 primaries and 3 1/2 in collectors and had no problems. I also gained .2 in the quarter running them on a mild 350 with vortec heads.