Headers

[LuckyHenriksen]

I need some headers for my 68 C10 with a small block. I would like to go long tubes, with a 3 inch collector. What are some good choices? Pros/cons of shorty headers vs. long tubes? Can I use headers for different makes of cars, like Camaros? I want to get the most performance possible out of this engine. Any help/advice is appreciated.

[71Chevy4-speed]

Stay away from shorty's unless you have to pass emmisions. Long tubes are the only true header because the have a collector. Longer primary tubes work better on torque applications, something shorty's seem to lack, though they are better than most cast manifolds. Hooker is my prefered choice, heddman is great, flowtech for cheapy's that work well. There is enough truck applications out there you shouldn't have to much trouble finding one to work, though I do hear of guys using chevelle or other car headers on a big block swap into there truck I don't here to much on car applications for a small block, probably due to the fact that most of these trucks have small blocks and there are enough headers designed for these truck that don't have fitment issues.

[Pyrotechnic]

I just put some Hedman long tubes on my 77 and I like them so far. The design is great, and they fit the truck really well. The exit right inline with my factory double hump crossmember too. Hedman's seem to have the longest tubes.

My only complaint was that I had to file out the holes on the flanges to get all the bolts to start, which kind of bothered me, but they are MUCH better than the Dynomax long tubes I took off. I could go on and on about how the Dynomax are complete garbage.

[1966gmc]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

they are MUCH better than the Dynomax long tubes I took off. I could go on and on about how the Dynomax are complete garbage.

The set of Dynomax Long tubes I have are decent.I haven't had a problem yet with them.Now on the other hand,I put a set of Dynomax's on my old 85 Caballero and they had warped flanges.I guess it's hit or miss with them

[JayG]

From my experience and my truck's experience, long tube headers are the lowest point on the truck except for the lower A arms. If your truck is lowered more than a little, mines lowered quite alot, you'll have to pay atention to some of the "speed bumps" out there. I've full length Hookers and they're holding up pretty well between the miles and the occasional "aw shoot I should slowed down a little more"!

[BACKYARD88]

Gotta watch that second set of tracks don't ya Jay

[Pyrotechnic]

Originally Posted by 1966gmc

The set of Dynomax Long tubes I have are decent.I haven't had a problem yet with them.Now on the other hand,I put a set of Dynomax's on my old 85 Caballero and they had warped flanges.I guess it's hit or miss with them

Well here's my gripe list against them.

1. #3 spark plug wire ALWAYS burns up and is way to close to the plug, even with header plugs. Plug access for #3 is awful.

2. The collectors do not take the natural tilt of the engine into account and aim towards the ground. There is no reason for long tube headers to aim towards the ground

3. The drivers side does not line up with the hump in the factory double hump crossmember.

4. The primary tubes are not as long as other brands out there

Now with all that said, they are usable and they sound good, but there are headers for these trucks available without the headaches that these have. Flowtech seems to use the same design for their headers as well.

[JAKES 68GMC]

Flowtech/Dynomax are ok for the money, but i wish i spent more money for Hedman or Hooker headers.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Thanks Guys! So I have heard people complain about Hedman, saying that they don't hold up well. But you all seem to think they are good. I really like some hedmans I found, and their affordable. Any opinions?

[Pyrotechnic]

Like I said, I'm very happy with the Hedmans. The only issue I had was that there were small burrs and bumps in the flange bolt holes that I have to file out in order to get my bolts to thread in correctly. The fitment and design are awesome, they just could have cleaned up the holes a little more.

[JAKES 68GMC]

Go with the Hedmans. With my flowtechs/dynomax, ive got the worst, most awful looking, gumped up exhaust pipes coming off the collectors to clear the X-member. Go with Hedmans or Hookers for good quality and fitment. I wish I did looking back on it.

[redhead69]

I like my headmans, the ball/socket collector allows a little flexibility of how you run your pipes too

[LuckyHenriksen]

Thanks guys, I will go with the Hedmans. How bout the rest of the exhaust? I would like to fit 3 inch, but will that fit?

[redhead69]

What kind of HP you putting out? 3" is excessive unless your running over 400 hp. Looks cool though

[Pyrotechnic]

The Hedmans come with 2.5 inch reducers, and so does pretty much every other small block header out there. 2.5 inch pipe is a good size for small blocks. Also a lot cheaper than 3 inch.

[70GMCer]

Good luck on the #5 & #6 spark plug install with the Hedmans. Also pay attention to the lower control arm on the left side. The tube is in the way of the grease fitting for the bushings. Also the #2 tube that hits the frame on the right side and also is right next to the brake line.

They ONLY thing I like about the Hedman, is the ball flanges at the collectors. But you can buy them for other headers as well.

IMO, I will never used Hedmans again. I would go to the hardware store and get 1 1/2" black pipe and fittings and make my own before using Hedmans.

I hope you have better luck than me. I went to Hooker from advice from others near me and also from members on this board.

If you need pictures of the fit, I have them......

[redhead69]

yup..that is all true.

[Pyrotechnic]

Originally Posted by 70GMCer

Good luck on the #5 & #6 spark plug install with the Hedmans. Also pay attention to the lower control arm on the left side. The tube is in the way of the grease fitting for the bushings. Also the #2 tube that hits the frame on the right side and also is right next to the brake line.

They ONLY thing I like about the Hedman, is the ball flanges at the collectors. But you can buy them for other headers as well.

IMO, I will never used Hedmans again. I would go to the hardware store and get 1 1/2" black pipe and fittings and make my own before using Hedmans.

I hope you have better luck than me. I went to Hooker from advice from others near me and also from members on this board.

If you need pictures of the fit, I have them......

I did not have any issues with the tubes hitting the frame. This is on a 77. As far the fuel and brake lines, I used a large C clamp and piece of wood to gently bend the lines out of the way so they don't protrude from the frame any more.

The sparks plugs access for 5 and 6 is a little limited, but not bad. It's still much better than the nightmare on #3 that the Dynomax/Flowtech design has. The plug boot would be tight against the #1 tube if you didn't use a short header plug with the Dynomax/Flowtech design.

The Hedmans have their problems, but they are a big step up from the Dynomax/Flowtech headers I was using. Thats just my experience anyway.

[ibad57]

If you go headman check this out summit says these are perfic fit wrong! application 72 chevy C10 auto they only need frame trim on pass side see pic
they look sweet and bolt on easy after the trim prefered if you plan on lowering down the road and lifetime warantee

[JayG]

BACKYARD88 - that was mean! Actually, you are totally correct! I'm going to replace the lower a arms soon as I get back from Texascowboy593's gig at the Navasota Raceway 1-27. I've no clearance problems with my Hookers, but they pretty old (like the truck and it's owner).

[Longhorn Man]

i kow I had hookers on my old SWB and they fit great, thick metal, never hit the pavement unless I was being retarded (45 MPH over speed humps kind of retarded)

[SRH916]

has anyone bought a set of the headers from summit? do they perform for the money?

[Damien]

I put hookers on my K5 blazer. They fit very well. I had to bend the shift linkage just a hair coming off the collum. Other then that no problems except changing the starter. The front diff. is in the way. Just had to jack up the front of the truck and the starter fell out.

[LuckyHenriksen]

OK, so which type of Hookers are you using? any pics of them on the truck?

[Damien]

I don't remember the part number. They are coated competition headers for a 4x4 truck with a small block. Hooker makes 2wd truck headers too. Make sure you get the right ones. I'll try to get pics this weekend.