What header to use in the $150 range

[cas69aus19]

i need to know. PAW has the hooker comp for 158.98. is there any preference in that price range.

 

[iskwezm]

i use the generic Shelby try-y,the hooker comps hang too low and get banged up real fast

 

[65ShelbyClone]

You have lots of options in that price range. Hedman, Flowtech, Hooker, and Summit all have headers around $150 or less. I personally have Hooker Comps, but they dont fit with power steering(unless you have a bracket, but I chose a manual conversion instead). Most other headers are the same way unless they specifically say they work with P/S. Also, Tri-Ys mostly have 2.5" collectors while 4 into 1s generally have 3".

PAW is a decent place, but dont buy any of their "house brand" stuff. I broke one of their brand new head bolts before getting to 65lb-ft and stretched two others. The bolt heads were marked as grade 8 as well. I got some ARPs and there is no comparison(smooth threads and truly grade 9 or better).

 

[302 coupe]

I ran some tri-y's for a while, they were ok and ground clearnace was good. I switched to hooker comps and gained some noticeable horsepower, and ground clearance is still ok, they probably hang 3/4"-1" lower than the tri-y's. It was worth it to me though.

 

[1Bad67]

My vote goes to a good set of tri-y headers. After bashing the tubes in on several sets of long tube over the years due to ground clearance problems on my lowered '67, I had no problems with the tri-y. And you'll probably have a little more bottom end torque with the Tri-Y. I recently spent the big bucks on a set of JBA coated headers when I put in the new motor.

 

[67efivert]

i had some no name long tubes at first hung way too low for me switched to headman shortys and for the mild motor i got couldnt tell hardly any differnce

 

[10secgoal]

Dunno if they fit power steering or not. I had a set of heddman 1 5/8's. They were about 160 i think, and the ground clearance was pretty damn good.

 

[frost0100]

I was looking at the summit headers I think they are like $90. My only concern is if they are going to fit with my 68 stang 351W (Auto, powersteering) I guess I'll just have to buy them and Hope for the best...

 

[bnickel]

i have the hedman shorties on my car, and i love them. i had the rest of the exhaust fabbed up at a local muffler shop in 2-1/2" aluminized. none of my exhaust hangs any lower than the subfame rails. they also left me plenty of room for my aod to go in as well. they ran all the pipe down the trans tunnel just like a factory style system would, the would have never been able to that with long tubes

 

[Clark]

Bnickel, It almost sounded like you were describing my car, the only difference is I had my Hedmans Jet Hot coated and I like the fit on mine as well. Already had to pull my AOD for a seal leaking and did not have to remove the exhaust

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I was looking at the summit headers I think they are like $90. My only concern is if they are going to fit with my 68 stang 351W (Auto, powersteering) I guess I'll just have to buy them and Hope for the best...

If they are a 4 into 1 351W swap-specific header, then its highly unlikely they will be plug-and-play.

 

[frost0100]

Here is a pic of them below.. What kind do you think would work for me?

I just got a new 4 barrel intake and carb set to go in, and wanted to get the most of them, so figured headers would be the next best step for me. I was told to stay away from shorties as I would recieve no gains. I have stock manifolds on there now. Would really prefer to go with long tubes, but if shorties are the better route, please advise.

 

[Clark]

Frost,

I know that the long tubes are the best way to go and you will see the most gain but whoever told you that you will see no gain from shorty's over stock needs to put there crack pipe down. Just from the standpoint of looking at the design where you see the 4 exhaust ports going into 1 log should stand out as being a little restrictive. The stock 351W exhaust manifolds are better than other one's but to say no gain is not right.

The biggest issue I see with Long tubes are clearance one's if you plan on keeping a stock ride height than you will probably have minimal problems but if you plan on lowering the car than you might reconsider. Another thing about these headers you are looking at is they are probably a 5 to 7 year header than the rust will get them, coated are expensive but they will pay for themselves in how long they last.