Are Flow Tech headers really that bad?

martyd

New Member

Nov 15, 2008

76

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TN

Nov 26, 2008

#1

• Nov 26, 2008

• #1

The only reason I ask is because they are priced very low compared to some of the larger brands. I can get a set of long tube Flow Techs for around $150 or so vs say BBK's or Hooker's for well over $500. I understand they may not flow as much as the bigger brands but will I be cutting myself short by getting them?

 

orangecapri

New Member

Dec 16, 2002

189

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Alden, KS

Nov 26, 2008

#2

• Nov 26, 2008

• #2

I have them on my car. They work good. I picked up 6 tenths at the track going to longtubes over my bbk shorties and h pipe. Just went to 3" xpipe and flowtech longtubes.

Mine are actually relabled summit brand and are under $100 if you buy them that way. Same headers just summit brand.

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

5,232

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gainesville

Nov 26, 2008

#3

• Nov 26, 2008

• #3

flowtech has ben branded with poor fit up issues and over all bad quality. they flow the same but you may need a BFH to get them installed correctly.
on the flip side I have heard nothing but good things about summit headers for 99 dollars. they come in shorty and full length flavors.

 

orangecapri

New Member

Dec 16, 2002

189

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Alden, KS

Nov 26, 2008

#4

• Nov 26, 2008

• #4

The summits are relabled flowtechs

 

satanas

Member

Dec 16, 2005

156

3

19

Arizona

Nov 26, 2008

#5

• Nov 26, 2008

• #5

Have them on my stang had them for about 3-5 years no problem,Got my monies worth.... I think there good, Had no fitment issues , My brother bought bbk He had fitment issues..

 

cenok is family

15 Year Member

Jun 25, 2003

1,409

69

79

Norman, Ok

Nov 26, 2008

#6

• Nov 26, 2008

• #6

I'm just not big on the 3 bolt flange they used on them

 

B

bentley429

Banned

Nov 25, 2004

528

3

0

Connecticut

Nov 26, 2008

#7

• Nov 26, 2008

• #7

Had a set on my old f150. Cracked in 5 or 6 different spots within 5,000 miles. Junk.

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

6,945

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Northern KY

Nov 26, 2008

#8

• Nov 26, 2008

• #8

Well, i think Mac are some of the crappiest headers out there, but i'd run them (and i do) over Flowtechs any day of the week. What's that tell ya?

 

D

dr59l

New Member

Nov 24, 2008

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Nov 26, 2008

#9

• Nov 26, 2008

• #9

i got em on my car bfh was needed to make them clear my battery stud on my starter. my car is a c4 but they also leak in the slip fits till they warm up. other than that i picked up 2/10s on the 1/8th over equal length shorties

 

Turkey Sammich

I can't fap normal. I cracked a rib, then my ankle

Jul 12, 2006

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59

154

Nov 26, 2008

#10

• Nov 26, 2008

• #10

I rather get the herpe

 

T

tiptop

New Member

Apr 6, 2008

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0

Nov 26, 2008

#11

• Nov 26, 2008

• #11

2 years no probs yet,

 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member

Jun 1, 2005

1,761

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69

indianapolis/ valdosta ga

Nov 26, 2008

#12

• Nov 26, 2008

• #12

orangecapri said:

The summits are relabled flowtechs

Click to expand...

wrong, Ive had both, both shorties the flowtechs you could drop a wrench on them and dent em all to hell.

the summit headers, Ive had for a little while now 5-6k miles and they still look new and are thick heavy pieces that last!! the flowtechs suck really bad, wouldnt take a set if they were given to me...

 

ShortThrow50

Member

Oct 22, 2006

923

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16

Pa

Nov 26, 2008

#13

• Nov 26, 2008

• #13

Dont knock summit shorty headers. They are perfect fitment and they are just as good as the leading brand.

 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member

Jun 1, 2005

1,761

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69

indianapolis/ valdosta ga

Nov 26, 2008

#14

• Nov 26, 2008

• #14

amen bretheren!!

 

dcurtis

10 Year Member

Jan 19, 2006

688

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39

Nov 26, 2008

#15

• Nov 26, 2008

• #15

I had a pair on my old truck and after the first drive the paint was flaking off, but other than that they were aok,

 

martyd

New Member

Nov 15, 2008

76

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0

TN

Nov 27, 2008

#16

• Nov 27, 2008

• #16

From what I have gathered from the mixed reviews is that they are hit and miss. I also see that the summit brand has a pretty got following on the quality per price front. I guess I'll go with them.

 

ryan218

In just 10 years, I'll be old enough to drive!!!!

Dec 28, 2005

0

1

38

columbus ohio

Nov 27, 2008

#17

• Nov 27, 2008

• #17

i got BBK. no fitment issues. i had MAC's on my last and it was not a flanged header. used. had to use a pry bar to get them to line up. we put summit brand headers on my buddies 95 GT, fit perfect.

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

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Northern KY

Nov 27, 2008

#18

• Nov 27, 2008

• #18

ryan218 said:

i got BBK. no fitment issues. i had MAC's on my last and it was not a flanged header. used. had to use a pry bar to get them to line up. we put summit brand headers on my buddies 95 GT, fit perfect.

Click to expand...

That to me is one of the most important aspects...whether it has a solid flange at the header or not. Also the cheaper headers have much thinner tubing so once rust sets in (and they're almost guaranteed to rust at some point) they'll rust through that much sooner. I've got Mac now, but when they come off i'm getting ceramic coated BBK's.

 

2

2KsilverGT

Founding Member

Apr 27, 2001

354

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0

Collinsville Va

Nov 27, 2008

#19

• Nov 27, 2008

• #19

Buy the summit's or flow techs. Weld the slip fitting and enjoy your headers. I have no issues with the flowtechs on my 331. They are not the best looking and yeah they rust just like every other header. But my car runs in the 6's in the 1/8 with no problems.

 

ryan218

In just 10 years, I'll be old enough to drive!!!!

Dec 28, 2005

0

1

38

columbus ohio

Nov 27, 2008

#20

• Nov 27, 2008

• #20

i love my BBK shorties. paid 50 bucks for em.