headers?

[baddad457]

While the concept of the ball and socket collectors sounds nice, In thrirty years of running flat colletors and gaskets, I've never had one leak. If you've got a leak, the bolts aren't tight. I've even run em without gaskets and still not had a leak.

 

[Broncobowsher]

While the concept of the ball and socket collectors sounds nice, In thrirty years of running flat colletors and gaskets, I've never had one leak. If you've got a leak, the bolts aren't tight. I've even run em without gaskets and still not had a leak.

I found alignment to be a bigger issue. If the flanges are not truely parallel to each other the gasket will be over compressed on one side and under compressed on the other side. That will eat gaskets again and again. Cut the flange off the pipe and weld it on again square.

Even knowing what it takes to keep them sealed, The headers I have built I did with a ball socket. No gaskets to need replacing if you ever take it apart later.

I have also used big block chevy ARP header bolts predrilled for safety wire. Lot more labor to install, but they never rattle out.

 

[baddad457]

I found alignment to be a bigger issue. If the flanges are not truely parallel to each other.

Which is why I've never had one leak. When I run the exhaust, the reducers are bolted in place before the pipe is welded to them. No chance of a mis-alignment doing it this way. Only way it could afterwards is if the pipe gets hit and bent.

 

[VT_Don]

I'm reading a lot of hollow hype here. Does anyone have any hard data to back up their claims of "best?" From my research on shorty headers for F150 & Mustang modular motors, their was ZERO observed benefit on a chassis dyno.

In the world of "tuned" headers, there's a lot of science in primary size & length, as well as collector sizing. Just because it's a fabricated exhaust manifold doesn't mean jack squat.

 

[fetorino]

Wow that's a statement

OK I'm going to say those headers do look nice, and I would buy them if anyone but BC offered them.

I think Chuck has some great products. I am using these headers and they are constructed very well and fit awesome. They also sound great. I also run his coils and leafs and they are great.

That being said I would be lying if I said his shop is the easiest to deal with or most responsive or provides the quickest delivery. If I need something tomorrow because I didn't plan it out right and need the part now I'd buy from (and have) WH.

There are some parts that Chuck has such as his headers that are just the best out there. Don't deny yourself a great product due to other issues.

 

[Adarcy]

I think Chuck has some great products. I am using these headers and they are constructed very well and fit awesome. They also sound great. I also run his coils and leafs and they are great.

That being said I would be lying if I said his shop is the easiest to deal with or most responsive or provides the quickest delivery. If I need something tomorrow because I didn't plan it out right and need the part now I'd buy from (and have) WH.

There are some parts that Chuck has such as his headers that are just the best out there. Don't deny yourself a great product due to other issues.

Gasp, did you just say the headers sound great?

Just bustin your chops mister anti headers

 

[Broncobowsher]

Which is why I've never had one leak. When I run the exhaust, the reducers are bolted in place before the pipe is welded to them. No chance of a mis-alignment doing it this way. Only way it could afterwards is if the pipe gets hit and bent.

You must not wheel in the rocks in AZ. Your exhaust will hit rocks and bend or you are not wheeling in AZ.

 

[bax]

I Don't deny yourself a great product due to other issues.

You got to eat a lot of shit to get to the good part. Just not that interested in shit I guess. Enjoy.

 

[baddad457]

You must not wheel in the rocks in AZ. Your exhaust will hit rocks and bend or you are not wheeling in AZ.

I avoid the rocks, that's what a steering wheel is for. ;D

 

[baddad457]

I'm reading a lot of hollow hype here. Does anyone have any hard data to back up their claims of "best?" From my research on shorty headers for F150 & Mustang modular motors, their was ZERO observed benefit on a chassis dyno.

In the world of "tuned" headers, there's a lot of science in primary size & length, as well as collector sizing. Just because it's a fabricated exhaust manifold doesn't mean jack squat.

It does when you compare any set of headers to iron SBF manifolds. As for tuned headers, who has the time and money, plus access to a chassis dyno to build a set of "truly" tuned headers ? And when you're done, will you have a set that's tuned for the entire rpm range of the engine they're bolted to ?

 

[Broncobowsher]

It does when you compare any set of headers to iron SBF manifolds. As for tuned headers, who has the time and money, plus access to a chassis dyno to build a set of "truly" tuned headers ? And when you're done, will you have a set that's tuned for the entire rpm range of the engine they're bolted to ?

Which iron mainfolds? Those K-code hi-po 289 manifolds were easy to port match to the trick flow heads. Ever try to port match a set of headers? usually doesn't go over so well. Nothing wrong with a good set of iron manifolds, even on a performance engine. But there are different manifolds that do things differntly.

 

[DonaldDouchebag]

Just remember to put antizieze on your header bolts!!

If you do use the old flange style I recommend stainless bolts and brass nuts for the collectors.

 

[baddad457]

re: "who has the time and money, plus access to a chassis dyno to build a set of "truly" tuned headers "

There are chassis dynos in most every major city. They sure are telling of what works, and what doesn't. Also, for $200 you can get a G-Tech performance meter. It accurately displays horsepower, torque and any gain /loss from from part swaps. On other forums, there are reams of data on shorty header results. So, before anyone makes claims here, what's your evaluation criteria?

It will take you more than one trip to a chassis dyno to build and tune a custom set of headers, and that meter ? %) It's just a guesstimate, it's not going to show you how something works in the real world. Doing this isn't cheap, nor as easy as you're trying to make it out to be.

 

[baddad457]

Which iron mainfolds? Those K-code hi-po 289 manifolds were easy to port match to the trick flow heads. Ever try to port match a set of headers? usually doesn't go over so well. Nothing wrong with a good set of iron manifolds, even on a performance engine. But there are different manifolds that do things differntly.

Yea, well I knew I should have inserted "most" into that statement. Port matching headers isn't difficult. Been there-done that. Did a set of Shelby Tri-Y's to my Canfield heads for use in a V8 Ranger swap. I welded the tubes all around the outside of the flanges, then ported the insides to eliminate the sharp transistion into the ports. Now I have that same Canfield headed 331 in a 77 Comet with Hedman 4 into 1's. The powerband hasn't changed at all that my seat of the pants meter can tell. I had a 427 powered 67 Mustang back in the 80's. It started out as a GT390 car with the factory mainfolds, then built a mildly warmed 390 for it (cammed up slightly) but also added Hooker headers (street not the super comps) the performance difference was like night and day. Later built a stroked 427 for it, used the same Hookers. Had so many problems with leaks, speed bump damage and just the fact that it took 3-4 hours to bolt up the headers (not counting the time trying to get em in the car) that when I found a set of 428CJ manifolds, I litterally cut the hookers off and bolted the CJ's in. Again, there was a noticible change, but only in the topend.

 

[chuck]

When I designed my headers I was looking for them to fit the EBs without thought to power. I knew that people would say things like "but they will not make as much power" so I had them put on a dyno. I was not there. I know about dynos as I do about header building. To my surprise they gained 27 HP over the stock 351 manifolds. It is possible that if I tweaked them they could gain more but may not fit. All the tests were done on the same engine. The dyno sheets can be seen on my site.