What headers should I buy??

[Sc300insc]

I am doing a frame off restoration and it's time for an exhaust. Was wondering what you guys suggest for headers. I am running a stock 302 with c4 Trans. 2 1/2" suspension lift with 2" body lift. I have a fiberglass tub with everything fiberglass except the grille and tailgate. Looking for long lenght headers. But not sure if the ceramic coated makes a difference in the heat coming off of them. Can get some Scott drake coated headers for 1/2 the price of Herman headers. Are they worth the difference in price?? Thanks for any feedback in advance.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Coating makes a huge difference in under the hood temperatures.
I'm thinking of also having the exhaust that runs under the floor coated to reduce heat.

I would prefer a more well known for quality header manufacturer though.
Scott Drake products have a spotty reputation for quality here.

 

[tabyers]

I just put the Hedman Elites on a 302. I'm very happy with the fit. They installed very easily. I've only got a couple hundred miles on then so far but the coating hasn't discolored at all yet and the heat has seemed to come down after the first few warmups few warmups.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Hooker 6909.
They are available coated and not. Can't tell the difference myself.
They are 3/4 length, so lots more ground clearance.
Price is the best part.

 

[pcf_mark]

Whatever you choose get the ball and socket collectors. No blown gaskets.

I use Hedman coated they fit great, look great.

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

+1 for hedman elites. I had a set of Jet Hot coated elites and they were great.

 

[ryan97]

I just put the Hedman ceramics on my 73 along with the bolt on Hedman kit. Happy with them and easy to install however I did add Flowmaster 50s instead of the included glasspacks.

 

[jmangi62]

I've got Hedmans on my rig,full length,they fit great,a little tight with a NV3550 but overall I'm happy,they sound good too. ;D

 

[SteveL]

I like coated better but check what coating it is. Some of the "ceramic coated" start to peel quicker than painted ones rust. I prefer the jet hot coated. I think that's what the Hedman elites are or were.

 

[DirtDonk]

Even the lowest performing ceramic coatings (the silver aluminized ones) will lower heat transmission through the tubes by at least 15%. The darker black and titanium ones can be as much as a 25% to 35% thermal barrier.
So none of them is chicken fodder, even though the price ain't exactly chicken feed either!

I like longies too, and ours are fitted to Broncos pretty about as well as you can get too. So I'll at least throw those into the mix even though I'm a bit biased in that regard obviously.
But from what I've seen here on the forums, all the ones the guys have listed already have really good reputations for fit and finish as well. The only one I don't remember much actual user feedback for yet was the Scott Drake. The other ones are known to be top notch.

Paul

 

[sykanr0ng]

I like coated better but check what coating it is. Some of the "ceramic coated" start to peel quicker than painted ones rust. I prefer the jet hot coated. I think that's what the Hedman elites are or were.

Well, technically speaking, barbecue paint is a coating, as is any paint.

But it's sneaky underhanded marketing to call painted headers coated.

 

[Monster Mike]

Another one to throw into the bucket of ideas is Duffys Long tube headers. These come ceramic or black painted. One of the great benefits to these headers is they also fit up to the duffs exhaust kit. Everything is easy bolt on with the option to weld and can be done in your driveway with basic hand tools.

If you ever decide to buy the Duff tubular Long arms, The long tube headers are specifically designed to work around those arms. Another great benefit to buying your parts from a Bronco vendor. They're always looking ahead for you when you're ready to upgrade.

Link for Duff radius arms here:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=5350&x=0&y=0

There is optional upgrades for the Header hardware and gaskets as well. Like stainless steel stage 8 fasteners and premium header/collector gaskets.

The exhaust comes with 3 muffler selections. quiet, perfect and loud. It is best to talk to one of the techs or ask opinions here for which muffler fits you best.

Headers:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=headers&x=0&y=0

Exhaust:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=exhaust&x=16&y=15

 

[bronconut73]

Another one to throw into the bucket of ideas is Duffys Long tube headers. These come ceramic or black painted. One of the great benefits to these headers is they also fit up to the duffs exhaust kit. Everything is easy bolt on with the option to weld and can be done in your driveway with basic hand tools.

If you ever decide to buy the Duff tubular Long arms, The long tube headers are specifically designed to work around those arms. Another great benefit to buying your parts from a Bronco vendor. They're always looking ahead for you when you're ready to upgrade.

Link for Duff radius arms here:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=5350&x=0&y=0

There is optional upgrades for the Header hardware and gaskets as well. Like stainless steel stage 8 fasteners and premium header/collector gaskets.

The exhaust comes with 3 muffler selections. quiet, perfect and loud. It is best to talk to one of the techs or ask opinions here for which muffler fits you best.

Headers:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=headers&x=0&y=0

Exhaust:
http://www.dufftuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=exhaust&x=16&y=15

And by the way.....

If you have the full Duff exhaust (headers too) from the early 90's and then you get the Duff long arms; you will have to get the new (post 2001) Duff headers that are made to work with their long arms....but guess what?
Even though they move the collector to miss the long arms your 25 year old Duff exhaust will still bolt right up to the new headers....whew....

Life is good when you buy your parts from the oldest eb vendor.


Thanks Mike and Suzy!

 

[DaveLev]

+1 for the Duff headers. Although they aren't ceramic coated, the ones in my rig have been there for at least a decade and still look great.

http://www.dufftuff.com/Headers_289_302_351W_Painted_1966_77_Bronco_p/3100.htm

I can't say the same for most headers under $300. In my hot rod chevy they are rusting already after 18 months.

 

[ransil]

I like shorty headers, after wrestling my first set of long tube headers out of a Bronco that was enough for me.