Are headers worth it?

[Mattchu60]

I have a 1987 TBI 350 in my stock K10. I see I can buy headers fairly cheap - around $200-250. Is there any point to putting headers on a stock TBI motor? Anyone install these and feel a difference? Only thinking about it since I may end up installing dual exhaust soon, figure I may as well do it all.

 

[oneluckypops]

I have a 1987 TBI 350 in my stock K10. I see I can buy headers fairly cheap - around $200-250. Is there any point to putting headers on a stock TBI motor? Anyone install these and feel a difference? Only thinking about it since I may end up installing dual exhaust soon, figure I may as well do it all.

IMHO you couldnt pay me to run headers, I have had several different sets and NONE of them ever sealed.

 

[Swims350]

IMO yes run em on everything I can I just like them.

but for $200-250 that's alot.

ebay has some cheapies and so does jegs and summit.

I would definately do long tubes if you are going with duals, they are supposed to be better for low end torque anyways.

the black ones rust quick but they don't rust thru, not in say 5 years or so, at least I never had any that did. I've had them black ones for over 10 years and they rust but still work fine.

if you can or your wallet can afford it maybe get some ceramic coated, on find stainless.

I got ebay stainless shorties on my 88 tbi, only because I didn't want to do full exhaust, it was already setup for duals on the manifolds.

They used to have 73-87 long tubes in stainless on ebay for like $160 but I haven't seen them in awhile now.

Now if you do run em here's some tips and tricks...

use manifold gaskets, the alum type up top, and then down low if you don't get the ball style then buy the summit header buddies, lmc has some now too, they are ball end so they use NO gasket on bottom. No gasket means no leaks.

 

[Old77]

I have some on my '77 and love them. I don't remember what I paid but they are dynomax headers that I got from o'reilly auto parts. They are the black headers (where the paint burns off in about 30 seconds) so I'm pretty sure I got them pretty reasonably priced and unlike the luck OLP seems to have mine seem to be sealed perfect. If I was to do it again I would have paid more for stainless headers to have more shiney but I didn't.

 

[Stroked]

Do they make shorty headers that hook up to the factory exhaust on these trucks?

Reason being my Blazer has factory dual exhaust since it had a 6.2 diesel

 

[Swims350]

probably but I'm not sure.

 

[Stroked]

After looking at a set of stock manifolds again, I'm guessing probably not. Too short.

 

[bucket]

4 of my 5 have headers on them, and they do make a difference you can feel. I haven't had any trouble with getting them sealed.

 

[towman]

after seeing the pictures of your truck, now way would i put headers on it, to good looking to butcher it up

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd only put headers on something that requires them. I'm just as well without them as I am with them. To me, they say maintenance. When I've had headers in the past, seemed I was always replacing a gasket on one side or the other, and if it wasn't a header gasket, then it was a freakin collector gasket. Also need to be more critical of your plug wire routing. Even getting them close to the header can burn the cabon core of your plug wire and you'll be replacing plug wires all the time. Do they increase performance? Sure if you have the correct exhaust to go with them. I do have them on my K1500 since I bought it with the headers on it, and so far, I have to say they've not been much headache, but I don't drive it very often either, and it's just a farily stock crate motor. So, flip a coin or let your wallet decide.

 

[Old77]

after seeing the pictures of your truck, now way would i put headers on it, to good looking to butcher it up

this confuses me. How is putting headers on a something "butchering" it up? You don't have to cut nothing or hack anything to install headers the times I've done it.

 

[Swims350]

this confuses me. How is putting headers on a something "butchering" it up? You don't have to cut nothing or hack anything to install headers the times I've done it.

x2 the only thing maybe have to do is remove emisions crap and that's not butchering.

 

[bucket]

It's only butchering if you don't take the time to do a nice install. Otherwise, it's just a modification



And why is there always so much hate for headers? Has nobody ever had a cracked manifold, a blown doughnut gasket, or broken downpipe studs?

 

[crazy4offroad]

And why is there always so much hate for headers? Has nobody ever had a cracked manifold, a blown doughnut gasket, or broken downpipe studs?

^^^THiS!!!!^^^
I like my headers, obviously they aren't for everyone. Like grumpy old men, people with sleeping babies, or people with sensitive ears.

 

[HotRodPC]

I don't hate headers. I just warn that they come with their headaches. And I guess the biggest thing I see, is people putting headers on just for no big deal on a stock 305 and now think they're going to be ready for the races and ready to start setting cars out and giving them the move since their's is so fast now.
NO, I've never cracked an exhaust manifold, and never blew out an exhaust donut either. Only vehicles I've ever had headers, they were justified. Mild Cam, Tweeked and Tuned Carb, Recurved Dizzy, Posi rear end etc. I prefer stealth or actually opposite of. Seen but not heard.