neil350

People have made 700+RWHP on 1 3/4" LTs in T trim and D1 LT1 stroker cars. A very similar set up to what your wanting to do was LJ's YSi LT1, car trapped 148MPH with Hooker 1 3/4 LTs. A local car here years ago with a T trim-nitrous set up, MTI built 383 was cracking 900+rwhp with some FLP-Dynatechs through a Borla. On blower alone the car was making around 740rwhp. I have the Kooks stepped 1 3/4 to 1 7/8, I like them a lot and I plan to reuse them on my next build which will be a 398 on nitrous, which is why I bought them.
Not sure what all your header options are on the 1 7/8, believe it's a bit limited to custom or Hedmans if they still even make them? Ellis may be able to elaborate more, his are custom by him. If it's going to be a street car, a stepped set of Kooks maybe your best bet. Jeff Gilbert with a D1 on a 396" motor trapped 151MPH with a set of Kooks stepped headers. Though 1 7/8 may be ideal given the set up, options on whats out there and what your willing to do may very well dictate the choice. Best of luck.

Nostang 96z

The best thing about 1 7/8 headers is the stahl flange. Much easier to get to the bolts with a socket. I have 1 7/8 hedmans for my build as recommended by Lloyd E. due to my cam and head combo (solid roller 383 with nitrous).

dizwiz24

I agree! show-off.....

Highlander

Can people post pics of the headers they have? 1 7/8

the point of bigger headers is to get more power from what it is there already, doesn't mean they will "max out". but if going from a 1 3/4 to a 1 7/8 headers gives you 40rwhp, wouldn't it be worth it?

97WS6SCharged

Guess it depends on your budget. For Kooks you're talking about spending another $1k+ for the bigger headers and possibly another couple hundred for a bigger Y pipe to match if you get the bigger collectors. Most guys in the LTx game these days aren't going to spend that kind of cash. Also very few LTx cars will see anywhere close to a 40 rwhp gain from the slightly larger primary tubes. Possibly a high hp FI or nitrous car but your average street car wouldn't see much if any difference.

I'll try to snap a pic of my headers after work if I can remember when I get home.

Highlander

I haven't found any hedman headers... where can we get them?

I am really interested in a 1 7/8 setup for the near future.