So after perusing numerous threads on here, I concluded that the Hedman headers below will fit my 77 f250 highboy, 400. These are the uncoated ones. The coated ones were like $500 and I don't have that kind of cash. I hear the black paint on these will burn off immediately and I'll be left with dull headers: http://www.jegs.com/i/Hedman/500/89360/10002/-1

The old set up on my truck had a set of glasspacks mounted directly to the headers. But both rusted out.

This install will be done with a buddy who has all the proper tools to do a nice install. A couple questions:

1. Are there any cheap, diy, or otherwise, options to coat headers? Or am I just gonna have to live with uncoated since I don't have the cash?

2. My headers have a 3 in. collector with a 3 hole mount. Are the glasspacks and turbo mufflers with the header mount the best way to go? Do these simply mount to the header with no modification or welding? Otherwise which size inlet diameter on a glasspack is the best size for my headers? My back pipes are 2 inches.

The flowtech purple hornies seem goofy, any opinions on them?: http://www.jegs.com/i/Flowtech/387/50230/10002/-1?CT=999

Thrush turbo muffler I'm also considering: http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog,9,partnum,17694,d,walker_17694.html

Thanks in advance!

 

Eastwood sells coating for manifolds and headers. One is aerosol see below:
Silver Hi-Temp Coating

This is what I'm trying on mine. Haven't fired the motor to cure the paint yet. But it looks awesome.
Linky:Silver High Temp Coating Kit

 

Let me know hot the silver stuff works. I'll look into that.

I also heard duplicilor has some engine coating that has mixed reviews: http://www.duplicolor.com/products/enginePaint/

Not sure if self coating is actually worth the time or if it might have any negative effects if not done properly or if the wrong product is used.

 

Summit recently came out with welded mufflers. They look like Flowmaster clones... $30 each.

In terms of sizing, I suggest at 2.25 or 2.5-inch mandrel bent tubing. Speedway Motors has an aluminized steel tubing kit for around $140 whereas Jegs' kit is $200 and up.

Oh, terminate the tips beyond the body line. Using turndowns or dead ends under the bed or cab will just reverberate the sound. Go for an authoritative sound quality - not a nuisance type of exhaust tone.