doug9208

I have a '77, L-82 w/ TH 400. My 350 is rebuilt & ready to go back in. I have boxed the AIR system and EGR. Still using stock headed. I want to install ceramic headers but do not want clearance problems. So, block huggers or full length?

I also intend to use a 2.5" dual exhaust. I'm thinking a stock dual set up for a '74 should work. (?)

I'm sure several in the forum have done this so please provide wisdom learned form your experience. On the headers I would appreciate brand and part # if you can. Thanks.

Roughrider

Block huggers will give you clearance...full length headers will give you greater performance, but both give better performance than stock manifolds.

Block huggers will likely fit up to stock dual exhaust, full length will require custom mods to the exhaust.

It all depends on which you think is most important.

I don't have a part number but think Sanderson headers are the best. The quality is outstanding and they have the thickest flanges you'll see...no leaking and no bolts backing out. No headers last forever...buy top quality and you won't have to replace them nearly as often. I have Sanderson block huggers on a car and have had absolutely no problems with them.

L82shark

I went with full length Hedmans ceramic 3/8 flange, was worried about plug wires and access with the huggers.
Going into a Pypes racepro dual exhaust on my 78

brs6482

I went with block headers....got tired of dragging, and leaking. Here what mine look like.

MotorHead

I did not know there were any small block headers with 1 7/8" in primary tubes out there until I went to the Sanderson site and looked at their block huggers.

For my 427ci small block I am considering these block huggers as the collector is 3 inch and would dump directly into my 3 in exhaust system. I have heard of performance difference between these and full length headers but I cannot see how you would loose anything in setup I have described above. I hope someone can shed some light on this.

Theiskell

Sweet headers where did you get them and if you don’t mind me asking how much? PM me if you like that looks like what I have been looking for

brs6482

They are Sanderson just like Mr. Motorhead was talking about. They are pretty pricey but well worth it. You cannot beat the quality!! Here is the link.

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/guide_mm_corvette.php

Theiskell

I am glad I seen your post I was just about to go with hooker but was worried about dragging and had not seen a visually pleasing good alternative. Thanks for the info ...... now back to our regular scheduled program.

OP: sorry for the hijack

Scott Marzahl

Hookers have some of the least amount of ground clearance. Check these Stan's headers out as well. Another top of the line header.

http://www.stans-headers.com/tri_y.htm

doug9208

I checked on the Sanderson headers. $385 for ceramic block hugger style for my application. 1.5" primary and 2.5" collectors. More than I wanted to pay but I DO NOT want to be changing these later.

Why do manufacturers say not to use ceramic headers when braking in a new engine ?

MN80Vette

I had block huggers on my GM 350 HO and got tired of burning up spark plug wires and melting poly motor mounts. I had to dimple the headers to get the spark plug wires on, and I had to remove the headers to change spark plugs.

I switched to full length Dynomax ceramic coated headers from Summit. They are swept back from center of the heads so they don't cook my spark plug wires, and I don't have to remove the headers to change plugs. I haven't had any problem with ground clearance either, and I adjusted my suspension to ride lower than normal.

I changed to true dual pipes when I switched to full length headers, so I can't say how much performance improvement I got from full length headers alone. The performance was obvious on my butt-o-meter.

L82shark

never heard that, I broke my truck engine in a couple of years ago, no problems.......

Scott Marzahl

That is their warranty disclaimer, you can ruin the ceramic coating and it will peel off if the engine is not set up correctly, too lean etc. I've seen Ceramic coated headers rust as well.

L82shark

they did turn brown a little..... but it hasnt gotten any worse since, thanks

Binnie77

Patriots are 1 5/8" primary and 2 1/2" collector. These are the ones I am running on my ZZ4. $249 ceramic coated.

Casper

Ceramic coated full length headers are on my 454 but I had to dimple them a few places like around the steering box.

doug9208

this pic does not show wires on yet. anticipate any problems?