should i go 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 or 1 3/4 x 3 for my headers. i was thinking that since my engine is out i might as well get hooker LT's cuz they're a bitch to put them in if the engine is still in... i just dont know what size i would benifit from. later down the line, im getting AFR heads, MR, a nasty Cam, and im most likely putting in a 383 stroker. do you guys think i'd loose power going with 1 3/4 right now compaired to the 1 1/2? thanks for your help guys

EDIT: you think i should get the coated hedmans? what would be the main difference between the hedman 1 5/8's and the hooker super comp 1 3/4's, other than price?

 

i would go w/ the 1 3/4 x 3 headers. that will give u nice breathing space for the stroker ur wanting to put in down the road.

i dont really think u will loose power,if ur motor is a 305 u might loose like 1 or 2 lb/ft. of torque,but thats not even enough to feel.

if u have the money,i would get the coated headmans. im not sure if ur talkin about them,but headman now makes LT's for a third gen. w/ my experience w/ the headman shorties on my car now and the headman LT's i put on my dads SS Chevelle i would imagine that will fit excellent. i never had to touch either set w/ a hammer to get them to clear something.

 

im talking about the hedmans lt's... coated of course i was looking through old posts and started to read ppl saying that 1 3/4 was too big for a 350 unless i was pushing over 400 hp... so for the time being i guess i'll just go with the hedman 1 5/8 till i need the 1 3/4's after i do the cam, heads, miniram, and stroker. i want as much power as i can get and with 1 3/4 i think i'd be losing power since im only pushing probably 250 hp and 350 tq. the hedmans were cheap... cheap enough to replace them if i need to go bigger, ya know? hehe. how much power you think i'll get out of the hedmans with all the stuff i have listed above. my engine's getting rebuilt and my cr is going to be around 10:3:1 - 10:5:1... you think i could gain maybe 3 tenths with just the headers? thanks guys

 

headers free up close to 20 HP im sure over the factory manifolds and im sure ull get .2 maybe .3 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile ET.

 

1 5/8" headers are good up to around 400 hp. 1 3/4" are necessary after that.

If you are buying now and planning on a muscular 383 later on, then skip the 1 5/8 and just go straight to a set of 1 3/4 coated or stainless steel headers. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200 ...

It is not intelligent money management to not buy what you need right off the bat