what headers does everyone use?

I am curious what headers all you 3rd gen guys are using on your 350's, and 305s, please list your motor size and application also , ie mods :) Im looking to get headers but i dont know whats good or not, and i dont know if short or long tubes are better.. thanks guys!

i have Hedman on my car (shorty) 1 5/8" primary and 3" collectors. but they make a long tube version for 3rd gens now Hedman does,and i think Hooker does also. im not sure how well the long tubes fit,but my shorties fit EXCELLENT w/ no problems and are cheaper in price than alot of other headers.

long tubes are better for performance from what ive heard.

I have the Hooker 2055's for a 305. They're ok, they fit without any problems but the header bolt access and plug/wire access is horrid. My wires always seemed to find their way onto the primaries until I got wire looms; they're a must with any header.

350 Crate engine with TPI using SLP 1 3/4 with a SLP 3" Catback exhaust.

Long tube headers are the best as far as performance is conserned, but they can be a pain fitting ect.
I'm getting hooker super comp 2210 for my 88TA. i'm putting a 400 sm blk in it. exhaust will be fun to make though. if you are running a 305 use 1 1/2" primary tubes. 350-383 can use 1 5/8" 400 1 3/4" this is just a rough guide line but its safe.

Hedman 1 5/8" shorties on an early-model carbed 350 with no emissions, making 300-350hp and backed by a 6-speed. The headers went in VERY easily and have no clearance problems. Plug access is great (I can change all 8 plugs in under 45 min) and since they're coated I don't have to worry about the headers rusting through. They're well-made and not half as expensive as some others.

FYI the only reason I went with shorties is the 6-speed....longtubes won't clear the clutch hydraulics without some modification which leads to a loss of ground clearance.

wow, this is great help guys, well i have a 350 lt1, im gunna go with long tubes since i have an auto trans, and im thinking of a flowtech coated ones.. i think they are called afterburnes, ever hear of em? I seen them on jegs for the camaro :)

Originally posted by lt1g3n
wow, this is great help guys, well i have a 350 lt1, im gunna go with long tubes since i have an auto trans, and im thinking of a flowtech coated ones.. i think they are called afterburnes, ever hear of em? I seen them on jegs for the camaro :)

If you are REALLY set on longtube headers (and the shorties are WAY easier to get in--just so you know), then this link will be helpful to you. In fact, www.thirdgen.org is the best site on the web for everything 3rd gen related.

http://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=148210

PS The hp and torque difference between shorties and longtubes is not massive and I personally wouldn't go through all the hassle just to gain a few more hp. But if this is a track ONLY competition car, then you really do have to go longtube.

SLP 1 3/4

Originally posted by aklim
SLP 1 3/4

Same here minus AIR tubes. Recently milled flat after seeing how terrible the sealing surfaces were in relation to each other..grrr

well. no , its gunn be street/strip... but how much ofa hassle is it ? i dont want it to make me pull my hair out .. i just like the long tubes alot.. but ill go which ever way is better... i figured long tubes would let the lt1 breathe a bit more... or al ot more.. not sure..

by the looks of my engine compartment it doesnt look like im going to have any clearance problems... what would i have to change for long tubes, i really perfer long tubes .. i read that page, and he seemed to have to do alot.. but alot of others didnt have to do that much, or anything at all... i was lookin at hedman , and flowtech... and i think it was hooker..

From Summit

EDL-68721
Chevrolet/Pontiac: 1986-90 5.0L/5.7L TPI Camaro/Firebird, with 3 in. single slip-on catalytic converter, 16 gauge mild steel, Tubular Exhaust System $349.95

They are not on the car yet they will be by next month

Originally posted by AutoRoc
Same here minus AIR tubes. Recently milled flat after seeing how terrible the sealing surfaces were in relation to each other..grrr

I still have the AIR tubes but the have been capped off. I suppose that if I wanted to remove them it would be easy. My header flange was flat and with the gasket on it worked. Never saw any black surfaces except where my tires were sometimes.

350 Crate engine, TPI intake, melling torquer cam, 1.6 roller rockers:

Edelbrock short/medium headers.

They wouldn't have been my first choice of headers, but they came on the car when I got it, so I guess they are better than nothing. It's DANG hard to get to the spark plugs. Though, they can be done with out unbolting the headers... just gotta get at them from top and bottom with a "custom" socket and one of those bent wrenches :rolleyes:

Originally posted by lt1g3n
well. no , its gunn be street/strip... but how much ofa hassle is it ? i dont want it to make me pull my hair out .. i just like the long tubes alot.. but ill go which ever way is better... i figured long tubes would let the lt1 breathe a bit more... or al ot more.. not sure..

A lot of folks curse their longtubes because of ground clearance problems. Every rumble strip results in them bottoming out, and so forth. The y-pipe has also been a problem for some folks to fabricate, as it tends to need to be bent at 90* angles because the collectors are further back under the car than shorties would be.

Personally, I'd go for shorties but it's up to you.

if your cam has a wide lobe seperation angle and mild duration then shorties are teh way to go. long tubes work better when you start running tighter lobe speration to aid in scavanging. if your cam is in the ball park of 224* duration at .050" and the LSA is 110* then go with shorties and a good Y pipe with mandrel bent exhaust, it will save in head aches and $$$$$$.

I have the Edelbrocks. Plug access isn't the easiest but I'm not sure I'm ready to pony up the $$ for some coated hookers plus re-installing them all :D

i have the cheap @$$ flowtech shorties under a 100 new shipped to my door, they work good, changing plugs isnt to bad (no a.i.r $hit also) get the y pipe like another 100 and for under 200 your good to go

ok, well i looked at a few pics of long tubes, and they are so close to the floor, i know ill be bottoming out on the streets of chicago, so im going with shorties... now to decide which ones i want...

Now that im getting shorties, this means i can use the ones made for the motor/car of a 93-97 camaro lt1's right? Instead of getting the 82-92 ones, i can choose between both right?


id prefer to buy the ones for the 4th gen so that they have the D shaped ports.

thanks

actually, whatever is going to work and perform best, im definately going with shorties now, i dont want any headaches... but i cant decide which ones i want.. id really like coated ones..anyone have any recommendations ? -- the guy at summit said to get the ones specified for the years of the car rather than the 4th gen ones..

so ya, coated shorties, price range tops at $400.00

thanks for all the help :D

You'll need to get 3rd gen headers, because the 4th gen front subframe is shaped differently and 4th gen headers might not fit.

Definitely get them coated.

alright, i found my headers! thnx :D i went with in and out coated hooker shorties, thanks guys :D

I think the shorties will make you happy :cool: :cool: :cool:

They'll give you that throaty rumble but still not bang into everything on the street.

Make sure to get a 3" intermediate pipe. That should be sufficient for up 400 hp or so.

ah cool, yes i like hookers also! :think: