Most of you guys may have read my recent thread on my new cam specs and head flow numbers. I currently have AS&M 1 3/4 inch mid-lenths. While they may have worked fine on my last 383, my new one most certainly would benefit from long tubes. In my research, I have found two headers that are worth looking at. Because my car is intented for street and strip, I have ruled out 1 7/8ths. You decide what is best.

1. "Pace Setter" or "Hooker" brand 1 3/4 inch long tubes?

OR

2. Dynatech brand "stepped" long tube headers? These headers have 1 3/4 inch primaries that "step up" in diameter to 1 7/8ths after approximately a third of the header length. Are these headers the best of both worlds by offering both low end torque AND mid to upper rpm power? Click this link to view the torque step headers. http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/in...OD&ProdID=1164

 

Id go with JetHots, and if you cant get those do hookers

 

All I know is that the two sets of Hooker LT's Ive installed had very poor quality. On mine you could actually see daylight between the flanges and the primaries. I had to weld them all up before installation.

 

I thought Hookers were the highest quality because of the price?...no pun intented.

 

Is it your opinion that Jet Hots are higher quality than Hookers or higher performace? I intended this question to address perfomance, but I also know quality is important to longevity. So let me re-phrase, if Jet Hot brand offered torque stepped long tubes would you go with those instead?

 

Kooks would be the best.

 

Do the kooks have a superior design?...in comparison to 1 and 3/4 long tubes?

 

They are stepped 1-3/4==1-7/8 are stainless and fit pretty good.
What more is there. Ya ain't going to gain a magical 25HP with any of the top brands. A cheepy vs a top brand maybe. Custom definately but bring your checkbook 'cause 2000 is not unreasonable.

 

I see. When you first mentioned Kooks I thought you meant 1 3/4; I didn't know that Kooks offers a stepped header like the Dynatech example I included, I thought Dynatech was the only one. So the "stepped" design is better than straight 1 3/4 for performance? If so, do you still get to retain low end power?

Is there any other company that makes stepped headers?

 

That depends on how it's built and what's inside your engine. Ther are several others that make them like Lemons and some more ya probably ain't heard of. They ain't real cheep either.

The differances you are talking about from a stepped 1-3/4 to a 1-7/8 to a streight won't help ya on the street at low RPM's. The difference isn't 25/50HP over the right size streight tube header,maybe 8/10 at the very outside and that is up between 4000-7000RPM's. Again this depends on the engine and it still won't help down low.

Whatever ya put on it,if ya swapped every set made for it won't be a great deal unless ya got some wierd set to start with. Like I said the top of the line headers won't beat a custom set and all the top of the line are about the same. A stepped header may give ya a broder TQ curve but again it depends on your engine. If ya only plan on turning 6000-6500 then get the best fit and looks 'cause HP wise they are about the same.

 

Kook's are the best IMO but pricey. As far as Jet hots and Hooker's, Jet Hot's are Hookers. Just coated and sold under the Jet Hot name. I've put two sets on friend's cars and I will never mess with then again. If you are looking for a great price and a great header, Pacesetter's are the way to go. For what you pay for Hookers you can get coated headers and a y-pipe from Pacesetter

 

The Pacesetters and Hookers provide nice gains for the street and come at an affordable cost. For those that have them, I'm sure some of us can agree that the quality is marginal. I have had my Pacesetters for a year now, I rarely drive the car and when I do, it never sees any rain or snow. However, the coating on the headers had already began rusting after only about 6 months. As for the Dynatechs, I haven't heard enough about them or had any first hand exposure to draw any conclusions.

 

I have the Kooks stepped and the matching Y pipe...Fit and finish is fantasic...Back to back 1/4 mile Mustang dyno runs revealed an 11.23 @118with LPE shorties and a 10.98 @120 with the Kooks...60's were identical...

--Alan

 

Off the board, I have talked to others. They agreed with what "1racerdude" said, Kooks brand stepped headers are the best quality. I don't know the price but the Dynatech is about $520. I also heard that the stepped headers would without a doubt increase power over a standard 1 3/4 inch long tube.

 

You're looking at around $1000-1100 for the stainless stepped headers and an off road Y-pipe...I have the emissions fittings on mine for the visual inspection here...I should've gotten the catted Y but it was wayyy more $$$ and I haven't had any issues with emissions yet...

They do fit nice and have great ground clearance for LTs...

--Alan