block hugger headers

Hello everyone,

Hi Mike, Did you have any particular brand in mind? A lot of the C3 people seem to favor Sanderson headers. The type you choice is ok as long as they are "block hugger". Because they are closer to the engine, they take out issues with steering box etc. One thing you should consider is ceramic coated headers to dissipate some of the heat. I have Hooker stainless steel side mounted headers.  I'm sure some other members will jump in with pics and more details for you.

Thanks for the advise corvette440hp, I am looking at ceramic coated over chrome. how does the stainless do with the heat, they look great.

[QUOTE=michael.pratt39]Thanks for the advise corvette440hp, I am looking at ceramic coated over chrome. how does the stainless do with the heat, they look great.[/QUOTE] Stainless steel do get quite hot. You can wrap them under hood, but there are pros and cons to doing this. Chrome headers turn colors (which can be cleaned), but can get rusty. Ceramic coated headers are great with heat issues. Ceramic coated are over mild steel, which can dent, and rust if the coating is chipped off. I'm not trying to confuse you, but fueling you with many choices. Here is a link to Jet Hot: http://www.jet-hot.com/Pages/coatings.html You can talk to many different gearheads, and each will have a different opinion. Good luck on your research........I also would like to see others with their experiences. By the way many of the guys are at Carlisle this weekend........so hang it there, more responses will generate after today.

I have Sanderson block hugger headers and have three words to say about them...excellent, excellent, excellent!  You won't beat the quality.  Mine are also ceramic coated.

The advantage to block hugger headers is they'll fit right up to a stock type exhaust system and leave clearance for steering, etc., under the hood.  What they won't do is be the power builder that full length tuned headers are.  They're a nice compromise between stock cast iron exhaust manifolds and full length headers that require a custom exhaust system made up.

It all depends on what you're looking for out of the car.

Thanks guys, I'm pretty much sold on the ceramic ones. Sounds like you just need to be a little careful during install.

I have Flow Tech Ceramic Coated Headers (AutoZone part # 31106FLT ) They fit perfectly with no bolt on issues. I did cut my exhaust tubes loose though and have the collectors welded on to the end of them so that I could bolt and unbolt the headers if need to be easily.

I did this mostly because I have found that the collector gaskets need replaced after a few years and this made it easy to work with. I also like to have less junk (brackets and clamps) in the system for a cleaner look.

Summitt Racing carries this line of headers as well. My out the door cost for them was $325.99 in case you were wondering.

At the time for the money these were the best value I found of the headers that I researched. Those headers were, Hooker, Sanderson, and Blackjack.Tuxblacray2008-08-24 14:58:49

Thanks guys, i have a summit racing catalog in hand......