Headers

[MusclesWit350]

How hard is it to install headers on a 80 Vette? What are some steps to take? What should I look for when buying a set of headers? I would like to keep my stock exhaust, so do I have to take it somewhere to re-weld the flanges since the headers are alot longer then the stock man.?

Thanks in advance!
Kyle

 

[kiwi vet]

Why?

How hard is it to install headers on a 80 Vette? What are some steps to take? What should I look for when buying a set of headers? I would like to keep my stock exhaust, so do I have to take it somewhere to re-weld the flanges since the headers are alot longer then the stock man.?

Thanks in advance!
Kyle

Hey Kyle

If you get a reputable brand of header, the fitting issues should be less, but its still very tight under there. I have Headman Headers and the collectors are very close to the tranny, having said that, its a 700R, so i dont know if that makes it worse.
For durable headers either get HPC'd or some form of performance coated units, so you get the heat containment in the tube (good flow) and some rust resistance (better than painted) so they maintain their looks longer.

Question - why would you put headers on a stock exhaust?
Thats like putting a garden hose nozzle on a fire truck hose isnt it?
There will probably be some increase in power, but not the full potential.
Is it for compliance issues?

Anyway good luck with what ever you decide.

Grant

 

[MusclesWit350]

Hey Kyle

If you get a reputable brand of header, the fitting issues should be less, but its still very tight under there. I have Headman Headers and the collectors are very close to the tranny, having said that, its a 700R, so i dont know if that makes it worse.
For durable headers either get HPC'd or some form of performance coated units, so you get the heat containment in the tube (good flow) and some rust resistance (better than painted) so they maintain their looks longer.

Question - why would you put headers on a stock exhaust?
Thats like putting a garden hose nozzle on a fire truck hose isnt it?
There will probably be some increase in power, but not the full potential.
Is it for compliance issues?

Anyway good luck with what ever you decide.

Grant

It is for compliance issues which sucks but still I will try and do the best I can. Right now I am running straight pipe(no muffs or cat) Sounds great! When I took it to the shop to have them fab me up some test-pipe he was telling me that headers on a 80-82 vette with a 350 is a bad idea. He said that I will have a constint problems with heat, melting plug wires and frying the starter ect...then another problem he stated is that there is very little clearance for the headers to the ground. He showed me the vette in the air and pointed out that even with the stock exhaust the pipe has hit the ground a couple of times. Is this guy full of **** because I know lots of the vette owners on here run headers?

Thanks

 

[Lucy64]

I went with the Hooker Super Comp headers with the ceramic coating. I highly suggest that you go with the ceramic coating. I have had the Hookers on my 64 for about a year and a half and they still look great. It is worth the extra money for the ceramic coating.

 

[geekinavette]

Not only is the ceramic coating important....but make sure they're coated both INSIDE and outside! Hedman does NOT coat the inside of the headers...and their weld quality sucks.

Bill

 

[Scooter76]

I have dynomax coated headers on my 76, & I like them real well. The install was very easy & they clear everything just fine. Absloutely no ground clearance issues & my car has been lowered about 1" or so in the front. The collectors have never once scraped the ground. As long as you dont try any dukes of hazzard stuff clearance should be fine. No problems burning plug wires as long as they are carefully routed.

 

[C3 4ME]

Hooker Super Comps on my 79 with no ground clearance issues, no burnt plug wires and no starter problems, and mine are uncoated.