page62

In order to service my tranny, I need some sort of flanges near the front so I can pull the exhaust pipes out of the way (see my sig). Then I realized that headers would serve the same purpose. Either way, I can get a local muffler shop to do the job cheap -- one of the advantages to living so close to the border.

So my question is: what are the advantages and disadvantages of headers? I've heard they can keep the cockpit cooler (yes!) but do they reduce low end torque -- something I need with an OD tranny.

And if I got a set, what would y'all recommend? And how much can I expect to spend?

dukvet76

I purchased the Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers from Jegs for $219 and think that they are great. My old Blackjack headers (which by the way are cast exactly like the Dynomax) were a pain to get out, but the Dynomax slipped right in. No mods to the headers or engine whatsoever. As far as heat ... more with the headers, not less. But, that's what the T-Tops were installed for! ;)

J75

If you stay with standard tube size headers,they will increase your low end torque.I have ceramic coated Hooker comps.The fit was perfect and easy.You will pay alot more for Hookers,around $375 but to me it is worth it.I`ve seen many like the Dynomax for a little more than half the price.I`ve never used them so I don`t know the quality.

Zane

I have the Dynomax Ceramic coated headers and I'm very happy with them. :D Just make sure you change out your motor mounts before you install them. I had to pull my passenger side one off to install my new poly mounts.

Schmucker

Just get the 1 5/8 primary tubes and the longest overall length possible. They come in 32 to 36 inches, so attempt to get a long tube header that is closer to 36 inches. You should be fine and make good torque.

Ganey

Get Dynomax Ceramic coated. Don't worry about the TQ, it will be fine.
+HP -heat
More HP makes more heat anyway.

:cool:

Sigforty

If money is a concern go with the Dynomac Jet-hot coated ones. They work great and I have not had any problems yet. They only cost about 215 dollars and are the best for the money. Now if you have extra cash I would go with a nice set of Hookers, but they run alot more then the Dynomax.

Mark B.

UKPaul

Hi Page,
As I'm soon fitting a 200-4r, I've been looking into fitting Headers "while I'm at it". After intensive & substantial research (reading forum archives as well as asking a bloke down the pub ;) ) I'm going to get the Dynomax ceramic coated ones. The ceramic coating apparently helps reduce engine bay temps by keeping the heat in the exhaust (which also helps power & may even keep my relocated O2 sensor at a high enough temp to work properly). Summit do them for about $230 & for those of us with O2 sensors Dynomax make collectors with provision for the O2 sensor, #88314 @ $31-95 a pair. The only thing that's stopped me from ordering the Headers is that I've just sent a load of my money to some guy in San Antonio :lol:
I haven't yet seen any bad press for the Dynomax Headers & the price is excellent compared to other coated Headers.
:cheers:

TedH

One thing I found with installation of the Jet-Hot coated Hedman headers on my 700R4-equipped C3 is that the headers are VERY close to the sides of the transmission. When it came time to fabricate the exhaust pipes that attach to the 3" collectors, I instructed the muffler shop to add a bend to the pipes so they bend AWAY from the trans about 2" (just enough to keep my shifter cable from being melted on driver's side and to keep the heat away from the TVS and cooling lines on the passenger side of the trans. Also, I found that installation of both headers is best done from under the car (to keep the Jet-Hot scratches to a minimum). I also had to remove the two bolts attaching my idler arm to the passenger side frame as they interfered with the installation. Be aware also that trans cooling lines may need an extra bend away from the passenger side header where they enter the transmission. If you find a need to replace the trans cooling lines, Ecklers sells a set for the 700R4 around $85 delivered.

page62

Paul, it sounds like the UK could use a Speed Shop! Have you ever considered a change of careers? Or do too many EU regulations deter you... :D

GR8T WYT

Check out http://www.sandersonheaders.com They make some of the best headers and shorty's. I have a set of their shorty headers, coated, and thet look and fit great. No tranny problems.


[Modified by GR8T WYT, 6:34 PM 1/9/2003]

gmcclurg

GR8T WYT, I have a 77 SB with auto trans with true duals going to stock manifold. What did you have to do to install the headers? Do you remember the model you used?
thanks

GR8T WYT

I'm using model CC1 ceramic coated. You'll have to have your muffler shop modify your head pipes. Usually means cutting off the stock donut connection.
The sanderson shorty headers come with an offset reducer that you weld to your head pipes, piece of cake for a shop to do. The CC1's are 1.5" so they help with torque. They lower under hood temps and cool down real fast. Plug routing and plug access is no problem. The look blows the ram horns away. Long tube headers can cause under car clearance problems. These shorties bolt right up, no fit or clearance problems. Try'em you'll like'em. :D

gmcclurg

GR8T WYT, thanks for the quick response. Sound like I will add it to my project list. What did yooudo with your SP Wires? Straigt boots or Angles? Wire Loom?
Thanks again

GR8T WYT

I removed all the factory wire covers and routed my wires thru long style looms that bolt to the valve cover bolts. I used Blue Max 8MM wires, straight plug boots. Makes for a real neat install.

gmcclurg

GR8T WYT,
Thanks for the info. It is always easier after someone else has done it and tells you what to do

dukvet76

Okay, so just to give you some bad news, I've just pulled my headers off when the engine was removed, and am not happy with how they look. It almost looks like they have rusted on the bottom (near the road). Actually it looks like some kind of overspray .. but from what? Leaking PS Valve, I dunno. I'll get some pics up tomorrow, but was wondering if anyone knew what to use to clean the headers?

UKPaul

Constantly :(
There's a Speed Shop about 10 miles from me but they don't do much Vette specific stuff. Plenty for Camaro, MOPAR, etc & loads of parts for something called a Mustang. It seems that they leave the Vette stuff to the Vette specialists..... who leave the go-faster goodies to the Speed Shops!
You wouldn't believe the amount of regulations being thought up by the EU. I just try to ignore them - I still work in feet, inches, pints, gallons, pints, yards, miles & pints (I like pints!). The Governments & Lawyers are trying to regulate our lives from the cradle to the grave, but it's for our own good :rolleyes:
I'll probably be emailing you a few questions when my tranny arrives! :thumbs:

page62

Ask away on the tranny. I made ALL the mistakes during installation! The worst of them was my choice of mechanics. They were so lazy I had to supervise and motivate them through the entire prodess! :smash:

What was the latest jaw-dropper to come out of the EU bureaucracy? Oh yeah, Feta cheese is now a "regional" cheese, meaning only the Greeks can use that name on their product -- I think it's the Danes who are outraged. Is life in Brussels really that boring that they have nothing better to do...?

All I can say is :flag

UKPaul

Those mechanics? What sort of money do they earn/hour & have you got tight immigration laws in Texas? :lol:
The Danes are lucky! It's now illegal to sell stuff under imperial measurements. I don't know the full story (as I try to ignore the EU on the grounds of it's better for my health that way!) but a Grocer was taken to court for selling potatoes (or something) in pounds & ounces, as has been done here since, er, a long time ago. It's crazy - what does it matter what unit of measurement is used? If an old lady wants to buy 2lbs of spuds off of a Grocer who is happy to sell 2lbs of spuds to her, why make him a criminal. The farcical thing is that it's illegal to drive a vehicle that has a speedometer calibrated in kmph & not mph! If I want to buy a 1/4" UNF bolt I've now got to ask for a 6.xxmm 28tpi bolt. It'd be funny if it wasn't for the fact that we're spending a fortune on having some army of grey suits, tucked away in some expensive building in Brussels, coming up with these intellectual ideas.
Our Govt. must be feeling left out of this insanity, so has come up with a few of their own ideas. The latest I've seen is that anybody playing a musical instrument in public must have a music licence for the venue (which costs £'s) to do so. This would mean that even Morris Dancers will be breaking the law, if they haven't gone through all the hassle & expense of getting a music licence, to dance on a Village green (before they get down to the real point of Morris Dancing ie vast quantities of beer!). If it becomes law then most live music will be killed off in pubs up & down the country. What is the point of it? Maybe the Government have looked at the sorry state of the current music industry & decided to kill it off before it gets really embarrassing :lol: It's reassuring to see that even with a war brewing, they've got time to come up with these ideas :rolleyes:

Back to Headers ;) Do you know what sort of work is involved in fitting, say, Dynomax Headers to a MAD dual exhaust? Obviously I need to weld the collectors onto the exhaust pipes, but is pipe bending required on the exhaust, or do Dynomax Headers tend to follow the route of the original pipes??
:cheers: