I need help chosing inexpensive headers

[sunk]

I just rebuilt my 89' 350 and 700r4 and I want to install headers that would fit to the stock Y pipe, but am trying to be cheap. I have tried some of the usual online parts dealers found parts that would work, but all items are generally over $400. Any suggestions?

 

[Blue85]

For less than $400, you can buy cheap full-length headers and have an exhaust shop tie them in. That kind of exhaust work shouldn't cost more than $50.

Summit sells shorty headers for reasonable prices. Don't any of those fit?

 

[Thunder]

I dont think anyone makes cheap shorty headers for 89 K5s. You are pretty much stuck paying around 400 for a set.

 

[GNERGY]

I just bought the regular coated headers that summit sells ( made by dynomax ) and they fit and look great. If you are looking for block hugger headers try the patriot tight truck headers. natural finish $147. ceranic coated $259. on page 69 of new summit catalog.
Tarey

 

[454k30]

I too have seen people make the general shorties work on later models. I dont know all the details because I don't have a small block but what they had looked like it worked. I would say try them out and then have a shop custom make the pipes. It doesnt cost that much more than those commercially available sets.

 

[73redblaze]

check summitracing.com.

 

[Moody]

What don't you try these......I have them on my 406 and easy to route to the factory Y-pipe. Reasonbly priced too!

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ExhaustManifolds/Chevrolet/Corvette/1AEEK00035/522774

 

[Slapperbar]

Late models are a rear dump dude.

 

[Moody]

They work great on my first gen...don't know why they wouldn't work on newer model unless something else was in the way

 

[Slapperbar]

I just rebuilt my 89' 350 and 700r4 and I want to install headers that would fit to the stock Y pipe...

Won't fit the stock pipe.

 

[mad_burban]

I've ran Hedmann headers on 4 of my chevys and i love em. Clearance wise it was somewhat tight but doable. I was running flowtech headers on my burban for awhile and at 99 bucks i think they did pretty good. Jegs and summit has good deals on headers and ive bought my flowtechs from jegs. Hope it helps.

 

[sunk]

I tried summits generic set of headers but the collector on both sides was located behind last exhaust port, good for passengers, but not for drivers, also o2 sensor dumped ot the side and not twards firewall. Summit also has a set of gibson that would bolt in but for $440 I bet I could go to a shop and get full lenght. Guess I might be a little cheap!

 

[Thunder]

The summit shorty headers are made for IFS trucks. As you found they dont fit our SFA Blazers and Subs.
That is the problem. Lots of makers make them to fit the IFS trucks but few make them to fit our SFA trucks. The ones that do fit and bolt to stock exhaust are expensive.
I have the Edelbrock TES system. It is prolly more than you want to pay but it is worth the money. The headers are stainless steel and last forever. I have had mine for almost 10 years with no gasket leaks or rust on the headers.

 

[lak2004]

They work great on my first gen...don't know why they wouldn't work on newer model unless something else was in the way

Thats the most beautiful firewall I have ever seen! Link to more pics please

With an 89 you will have to worry about emissions too. Most of the emissions places in CO dont do visual inspections though so as long as your engine is running clean you could get away with running A.I.R.less headers.

Also I have heard great things about Hedman headers. I think it is part number 69830 for the good ceramic coated ones and 69230 for the steel ones. Those two are supposed to fit great without hitting the shackle.

 

[sunk]

I dont have a smog pump so visuall inspections other than O2 sensor should not matter...? Hedmen from 4 wheel parts run $430, gibson from summit run $440, pricey but cool looking.

 

[lak2004]

dont go through 4wheel parts. use summit or jegs. and if you look at the part numbers i told you they are not that expensive. one is like $160 and the other is $280

 

[stunter2boy79]

check out jc whitney. i was looking threw there catalog and they have flowtechs pretty cheap. little more than 100 bucks. i might go with them depending on how they perfrom.
anyone know anything much about these? http://www.jcwhitney.com/FLOW-TECH-...6328_N_111+1980+200728441+600001747_10101.jcw
or http://www.jcwhitney.com/FLOW-TECH-...6344_N_111+1980+200728441+600001747_10101.jcw

 

[lak2004]

Ever heard the term "You get what you pay for." ? If you want them to last and not have leaks and other problems just spend the extra $100 to get a good set. Here is a side by side comparison of the Hedmans vs Flowtech. Just the ball and socket style collector is worth the extra money. Plus flange thickness and tube guage.

http://store.summitracing.com/compare.asp?Ntt=69230&N=700+115&Ntk=KeywordSearch

 

[Wasatch K5]

lak2004 is on the money.

Headers can be a PITA to install. Typically the better, and more expensive, ones fit better. But it's a whole lot more than that. The flanges that bolt to the cylinder heads are significantly thicker. The tubing is thicker, etc.

You really do get what you pay for. If you put in a really cheap set now, you'll be replacing them in the not to distant future, and be kicking yourself for not getting good ones the first time out.

The concept of headers is to reduce back pressure. Installing free flowing headers and connecting them to a restrictive single exhaust system defeats their purpose. If you install headers, you should also install a dual exhaust system.

 

[Slapperbar]

lak2004 is on the money.

The concept of headers is to reduce back pressure. Installing free flowing headers and connecting them to a restrictive single exhaust system defeats their purpose. ...

Unless you hook them to a good single 3" system like the Flowmaster American Thunder cat back with a good high flow cat to replace the factory pancake POS that's in there.