Headers? worth the effort & cost?

[emoze]

i should rephrase this - ? is there really a performance gain for any set of headers on a basically stock BBC

question inspired by this thread
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/headers-question.31299/

? is there really a performance gain to justify $900 for a set of Hedman Elite on a basically stock BBC in my '84 C20? -

(stock oval port 8.5 CR with AIR & EGR, cast manifolds; except it has Elgin e-931-p, Edelbrock performer 2-0 #3761, dual Flowmasters & MSD6A ) (this is a heavy hauler, not a dragster)

TIA

 

[Catbox]

Surely you can find headers that do not cost near that much.
I have a big block in my truck and can find basic steel ones for $150 that will fit, just no coating.
There are stainless steel ones all over ebay that are around that price as well.
It would be much easier to buy and test one of these sets vs spending that fat *** of cash on a set.

Granted the Elites are a nice product with heavy gauge tubes and beefy 3/8" flanges.
But they may not fit the way you wish and then are stuck with them or try to sell them at a loss because they are now used.

BASIC STEEL WITH 5/16TH FLANGES:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9011

I am going to look for a set that have the thick flanges as that should be a part of any header you bolt to an engine. The set of cheapo SS headers I saw on a friends engine had 3/8" thick flanges and they looked decent enough.
When looking at the cheap ones you also have to pay attention as they come in all tubing different sizes and lengths.
EXAMPLE OF CHEAPO SS HEADERS:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-Chevy-...401880bc790e927c6532|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

 

[Frankenchevy]

question inspired by this thread
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/headers-question.31299/

? is there really a performance gain to justify $900 for a set of Hedman Elite on a basically stock BBC in my '84 C20? -

(stock oval port 8.5 CR with AIR & EGR, cast manifolds; except it has Elgin e-931-p, Edelbrock performer 2-0 #3761, dual Flowmasters & MSD6A ) (this is a heavy hauler, not a dragster)

TIA

The price on the hedman site is more than on summit. Check there too. My elites were over $200 more on the hedman website.

 

[emoze]

i should rephrase this - is there really a performance gain to be seen for any set of headers on a basically stock BBC?

 

[bucket]

i should rephrase this - is there really a performance gain to be seen for any set of headers on a basically stock BBC?

If you like more low and midrange power, yes there really is.

 

[Charlie]

If you like more low and midrange power, yes there really is.

Is this statement for any length headers? I am running stock exhaust manifolds and wondering.

 

[bucket]

Is this statement for any length headers? I am running stock exhaust manifolds and wondering.

Just your garden variety long tube headers. It's a common misconception that they only add power in the higher rpm ranges, but they actually help low and mid.

 

[Catbox]

If I were to tell you the difference would be similar to this:
"Tape your mouth shut and run up a hill - Vs - Running up a hill with your mouth open to breath"
That usually helps people visualize the idea of the difference.

It is a simple idea of being able to expel the exhaust gas in a more efficient way.
The stock manifolds do their job.
But their job is to be easy to mass produce, inexpensive as possible, and last for a long time.
Check, check, and check.
However if you look at the path that the gases have to travel, its not the easiest route to take.
Then if you do anything else to enhance the performance of the engine, they become a choke point.
Can't get the exhaust out fast enough.

Enter the header.
The route the gases now have to travel is usually a cleaner and more efficient path.
Now at all RPM's it is easier for the engine to breath and can then produce more energy for the same amount of fuel.

Usually when people switch to headers they also switch the rest of the exhaust up.
Now if you still have restrictive mufflers that is where the choke point ends up.
So good flowing mufflers and tailpipes are installed.

One of the first things I did to my VW Bug when I got it was to install a header.
It really woke the little 1600cc engine up with no other changes to the stock engine in the car.

 

[Curt]

Definitely on the right track.Headers are worth it,if you do quality.

used a set of cheap afterburner headers on first truck.It was a pain,constantly replacing the gaskets because of thin flanges.

Later in life and able to afford quality...hooker headers has been trouble free

 

[fast68chevy]

IMHO for a bone stock motor i wouldnt do it,, alot of money for really no seat of the pants powr gain and also possible chance of leaks issues etc.. not to mention all the troble headache of installing them.. and buying new pipes system and so on.... now if you took the heads off and ported polished and milled them down some for lil more compression and stronger springs and put in a RV camshaft and so on then yeah headers may be worth all the money and headache, just my opinion. on my 75 C20 which is a 350 motor and is bone stock and crappy rusted out leaking stock Y pipe i am gonna keep manifolds but im gonna port and polish work them after i find a set of stock 53 or 58 cc heads to work and mill and Z28 spring and larger valve install, or a pair of good used iron eagles, with an RV cam. will open up the inside diameter of the manifold outlet 1/8" more so that they are 2-1/4" and run 2-1/4" pipes system. either the original 70s below plugs style manifolds or a pair of 72-older ram horns.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Would OP maybe benefit from a good stock manifold, ported, and dual exhaust?
I hear ramhorns are good starts? Maybe certain shape manifolds vs others(dump back, mid, rise, low, wishbone, straight, size)

 

[Tmich396]

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You could also go this route.

 

[gotyourgoat]

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You could also go this route.

600 dollars? Does it come with a truck?

 

[ali_c20]

I used headers on my stock 350 crate and was never able to get them leak free, tried all the tricks cutting the connections, stack gaskets, etc. It was a set of long tube headers in the mid price range.
Dumped them and ported my manifolds. Performs way better than not ported and like the headers. If you go headers you should also work the intake side. You can move a lot of air out but not that much in, it's always the whole system. One part doesn't change much and sometimes even hurts performance like when you overcarb a motor.

 

[legopnuematic]

I have used the Mr. Gasket aluminum shim header gaskets on my 76 and have not had any problems with it since. This is with cheap old MR gasket headers (look to be the same as flo tec or summit brand headers).

Percy's also makes them and same basis.

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