JimmyS5600 said:
posting the year of the car , its engine size, the heads it has, any and all info you can thing of,that might effect the headers fitting correctly, like the transmission type,if your willing to change or modify the cross member,posting the current exhaust system details, as to the pipe diam, etc, with CLEAR pictures taken with the car up on a decent lift, from multiple directions, and list of accessories would help, pictures would help, and having access ant the skill to use a good quality welder or a trusted and experienced exhaust specialist near you would be a big plus!
an experienced welder can do amazing things to get most headers to fit the application, if you swapped to aftermarket heads with different plug angles, or larger oil pan designs etc. will effect your choices and clearance options
I get similar questions all the time, and there ARE certain brands that do have a reputation for better fit and finish on headers,
but your results are totally dependent on you doing accurate ,prior research, your asking the correct questions,
knowing exactly what cylinder heads your using,and yes better quality tends to cost more than bargain basement prices!
knowing exactly what car it will be installed into and if your dealing with a better quality manufacturer helps.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/148-0404-best-headers-shootout/
http://www.lemonsheaders.com/
http://www.stahlheaders.com/
http://www.stainlessheaders.com/
http://stainlessworks.net/products/performance-systems/headers
http://www.burnsstainless.com/
https://www.carid.com/performance-headers.html
I always get a grin when this questions asked, simply because the answer depends a great deal on the engines displacement, compression, cam timing, the basic rpm range the engine will operate in,the drive train gear ratios, and several other factors that are often ignored, like what intake design, cylinder heads are used ,
because about 90% of the headers I see commercially offered are designed with easy installation, low production cost and ease of manufacture as the PRIMARY parameters in the design, your unlikely to find cheap headers that maximize your power.
theres a significant variation in spark plug location between cylinder head designs, theres both strait and angle plug heads and even the angle plug heads vary a good deal between designs, and many headers won,t work with a few cylinder heads in some applications so its almost mandatory that you call and talk too the tech support guys from both the cylinder head and headers manufacturers, to ask if any specific combo has a history of clearance issues BEFORE purchasing your headers or cylinder heads or both.
and yes there are REALLY POORLY THOUGHT THRU HEADER DESIGNS being sold, and some amazingly good ones so shop carefully and ask lots of detailed questions, if you can go to car shows and join a local corvette club and look over the headers installed on other cars to get a good idea how they fit or cause issues with burnt ignition wire etc. you tend to get better headers from the higher cost manufactures, and rather crappy stuff at bargain prices but shop carefully as there are bargains out there that don,t cost an arm & leg
http://www.melrosecorvette.com/1984-199 ... ic-option/
HEADER MANUFACTURERS & related info
http://www.kooksheaders.com/
http://www.lemonsheaders.com/
http://www.hedman.com/
https://www.holley.com/products/exhaust ... manifolds/
http://shop.dougsheaders.com/
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