What is everyones opinion on headers? I have been met people who have sworn against them and then I have met quite a few who swear by them. What are the pros and cons to replacing the stock exhaust manifolds with headers. Also what brands do you guys suggest, Long Tube, Shorties, Tri-Y??

 

Headers are a great mod. People that swear against them most likely do because of a bad experience due to cheaper headers that either don't fit right, are cheap quality/design, or because of an installer error. The bassani equal-length shorty headers are very popular here. The Jba headers are supposedly good too and im sure other brands might be ok or you can "get them to work."

 

I bought a set of Mac's shorties . But i do recomend using coper header gaskets. saves time working on em' latter on .

Don

 

Bassani equal length are an awesome upgrade. I had them, Greystreak has them, as do MANY other users.

 

I would love too get a set of bassanis but man they cost some serious bucks.

 

They cost the money because they are "equal length", tuned to the engine they are designed for, have flanges that are thick enough to withstand the proper torque specs without warping, and they are a "direct replacement" for the OEM manifolds. You do NOT have to buy the rest of the Bassani exhaust if you don't want to. They are designed to be a direct swap item with no further mods to the exhaust required.

By being "equal length", the natural sequential release of the exhaust gasses from the heads keeps the gasses from each cylinder lined up one behind the other effectively causing the exhaust from the previous cylinder to be "pushed" by the exhaust from the next cylinder. This also allows for the natural harmonics (vibrations) generated by the exhaust to carry through the exhaust system all the way back to the muffler where they are "deadened". This harmonic movement helps the exhaust "ride the sound wave out". The best comparison would be a surfer being carried back into shore by the waves on the ocean. All of this helps with exhaust flow which is the second half of increasing/improving engine performance. Intake air flow being the first half.

I have heard far too many people complain about their header experience because they could not get them to fit, or seal properly. To this I say, you get what you pay for. Exhaust systems undergo DRASTIC temperature changes. Think about the average catalytic converter that functions properly at about 1200 degrees F and then shutting off the engine in subzero weather. Exhaust gas temps and pressures are tough on the OEM components much less the aftermarket items. A set of headers with little 1/4" or thinner flanges are bound to warp under the heat and pressure. The 3/8"flange on the Bassani's is stout enough to handle these temperature and pressure changes without risk of warping and eventually leaking. The SS comp. gaskets (provided with a set of headers) with the stainless frames and compressed graphite port seals have NEVER leaked on me and I have installed the SAME set of headers on THREE different 302's. Granted the port seals were replaced each time but they've NEVER leaked. One retorque after about 100 miles and nothing else to do.

The other cost-driving factor with the Bassani headers is the coating. You can forego the ceramic coating but its not advisible since this coating does so well to reduce engine bay temperatures. Considering the R & D that goes into a set of Bassani headers, the money is well worth it in my book.

(End of Bassani commercial... we now return to your regularly scheduled programming).

 

jba,gibson,edelbrock and of course bassini are the way to go. if you can ceramic coating is the only way to go. soak the stock manifold bolts a few days early, take your time and get some good gaskets. also 1" headers bolts will help keep things torqued down.

 

My pacesetters seem to be really good aswell. No leaking or anything and diffenite gain in HP/TQ

 

my hooker comp's are doin darn good to...ive got a buddy with some headman's and theyve heald up since he putem on a few years back

 

I got heddman's - they are doing good, go ahead and do yourself a favor and order some copper gaskets and throw away the ones that come with your headers.

 

I hear you all talking about equal length headers, but quite a few people tell me equal length headers are a waste of money and time. Why is this?


Secondly, if someone weren't as rich as others, and could not afford ceramic-coated headers, what would be an alternative? Say the headers were made from 16ga. steel, and came stock painted in black. I know the stock paint comes off in a matter of minutes but what would be a good replacement? (links if you could...it helps )

Sorry if I'm hi-jacking the thread, but I want to get some info and i'm sure it would help this fellow out as well.

 

Ziggy, read greystreaks post above regarding the use and advantage of equal length headers, they definitly are much better headers. You could always get stainless steel if you dident want ceramic coat. Thorley makes a nice set.

I've had the Bassani's on both my Bronco and now on my truck, hands down, they're a much better quality header than a Hedman or Hooker. The icing on the cake is the Bassani crossover used with the Bassani equal length ceramic coated, sweeettt......

 

I can't say enough about Bassani's headers, they may cost more than others but you'll quickly realize why when you step on the throttle. I love mine.


and don't forget about the Y pipe...

 

Do you need a y-pipe if you have true duals? If you do...why?

 

I don't have true duals, they just split from the y pipe out the left and right sides. You don't have to get the y pipe if you just want the headers but they complement each other nicely. Good luck.