Header Question
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 11
From: Yakima, WA
Header Question
Been on the fence for a while thinking about the Hooker Super Comps for my pickup. I still wonder about the fitment issues though, its a real pain in the @$$ to jack the motor up just to replace a starter every 2 months. The whole system is shot on the 68' so gonna go new but those ceramic coated headers look so damn pretty its hard not to plunk down the 700 bones and drool over them. I put headers on my old dodge with a 440 and it was a pain to change gaskets all the time so i am trying to decide if i should go performance or stick with the logs. Bending over the fenders all day long is not as much fun as it used to be but i still do it but pay for it for 2 days afterwards. Any advice to help me decide would be appreciated. Its a 390 with A/C and P/S. 
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Every header I have ever owned has been a pain in one way or the other. Any bone stock engine I've owned keeps stock manifolds. The small gains are not worth the hassle. But, just my opinion.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I have long tube headers on both my 74' and 04' trucks and have no issues. If your blowing gaskets all the time you have other issues that need addressed. The gains from a good set of headers can be rather large, especially on fuel injected vehicles with tuning. Another added benefit I've noticed on both trucks is they are less knock sensitive. I'm never going back to stock logs.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 7
If you run JBA headers, they are well made, and you shouldn't have any issues. If you use a header that uses those stupid 3 bolt flanges, then yes, you are asking for leaks. With headers, you get what you pay for. Ball flanges are the most reliable design. I am less than impressed with Hookers, Pacesetters, and most of the other me-too brands.
JBA is excellent. There are other good ones too.
The performance gains on their own are not much though, but headers are a good upgrade when you factor that they can combine well with other mods.
JBA is excellent. There are other good ones too.
The performance gains on their own are not much though, but headers are a good upgrade when you factor that they can combine well with other mods.
