Difference in different LT headers?

[Lyle Longboat]

Hello guys/gals,
I read and hear a lot of different individuals running different long tube header brands and saying that anything else they are not running is basically “garbage” or “a waste of money”, not on this forum yet though.
My question is does this depend of use, preference, cost, or availability?

I understand that some install long tubes as their bolts are broken and need to change them, so they just throw on some long tubes because it’s a pain to do and decide to do it once and be done.

Again, some are for straight performance out running the track and trying to get their best time, others are just daily drivers that want long tubes and all Sorts in between.

So as my question was, is there really a difference in long tube brands?

Thanks.

 

[Pull Ya]

Yes I believe there is a difference--fit is a big part and quality of workmanship is a big part. Also the material used in making the headers. I think if you do any research you'll find that most people agree that the ARH are the "best" long tubes because of the above reasons. They are also the most expensive. Some people do not want to invest that kind of money and they buy other brands. I don't have any experience with any other type of long tube headers so I can't speak about the difference in performance, if there is one. Matt at Moe's Performance sells many different brands and has experience with the different brands both personally and through customer feedback so I think he might be someone to talk to before you invest in any purchase.
Jay

 

[Fast69Mopar]

There is definitely a difference between brands to me. Its all in the build quality. There are so many different long tubes on the market and the craftsmanship between them is visible to me. Some only use 1/4" thick flanges that were stamped. Others use 3/8" thick laser cut flanges. Some of the long tubes I have seen look like they were welded by Jimmy and his Harbor Freight MIG and others you can tell were welded by a TIG and a robot. Ive had good luck with some cheap headers over the years but I am super picky when it comes to buying a set of headers.

 

[Tim Garceau]

F*ckin’ Jimmy in his HF MIG SMDH @ his quality score.

All kidding aside, other than eBay China copy headers any known brand of long tubes will last you a long time.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

F*ckin’ Jimmy in his HF MIG SMDH @ his quality score.

All kidding aside, other than eBay China copy headers any known brand of long tubes will last you a long time.

Yeah, I have seen too many Jimmy welds. You cant go wrong in the quality department with many of the known header manufacturers. I acutally do own a Chinese copycat set of Stainless LT's that were on a 5.7 in a truck I bought back in 2006. They are still on the truck today but I have repaired them 3-4 times for cracked flanges.

 

[JHayez1911]

I’m hoping my JBA last. I didn’t know about the ARH at the time. I may have opted for them. But so far the JBA Longtubes and Y-Pipe’s treating me rather nice.

 

[Hemi395]

I’m hoping my JBA last. I didn’t know about the ARH at the time. I may have opted for them. But so far the JBA Longtubes and Y-Pipe’s treating me rather nice.

FWIW I have JBA shorties that are second hand, they're holding up really well. Still look good and don't leak.

If I could actually put longtubes on my truck in the communist state of MA, I'd do JBAs[emoji106]

 

[Pull Ya]

I am liking my ARH. I read so many horror stories about some of the other long tubes and their fitment problems and premature rust and cracked welds I just bit the bullet and went with the ARH. The down side was that if you ceramic coat them the warranty is cancelled--I did it anyway.
Jay

 

[Ronan]

Funny , not one of you mention the diameter or lengths of the primaries????

Even the China knock offs use good stainless the welds on mine were perfect(I didn’t even touch them up) and have a 3/8 flange, I’ve had a set of speed daddy China kooks knock offs on my 392 and now my 426 for over three years(Charger) with zero issues at all. The entire install mid pipes , 02 ext , hardware, gaskets , etc ... cost me under 600$. Any how , I wouldn’t hesitate to find a set for the rams. When I did my headers on my ram I used arh. Not so much because of quality, but because they used equal length primaries with a nice collector , but make no mistake , they are extra proud of their product. If I still had a 5.7 ram , I’d be looking for an eBay set that knocks off kooks or arh. We’ve had no issues in the lx world with ours . Ps: not knocking arh they are a great set, but 1500+ for headers is crazy imo!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pull Ya]

Headers have gotten a little expensive over the years---my first set of Hookers for a 57 Chevy were about $150---but that was in the early 60's and that was a lot of money back then. LOL
Jay

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

There is absolutely a difference which includes but not limited to

Fitment
quality of steel
flange thickness(very important)
actual flow testing to make sure they will add power
Cat internal quality if you go high flow y pipe
and more

Quality brands we recommend are

Stainless Works
AFE
Kooks
ARH

JBA isnt a bad lower cost option

 

[Wild one]

Hello guys/gals,
I read and hear a lot of different individuals running different long tube header brands and saying that anything else they are not running is basically “garbage” or “a waste of money”, not on this forum yet though.
My question is does this depend of use, preference, cost, or availability?

I understand that some install long tubes as their bolts are broken and need to change them, so they just throw on some long tubes because it’s a pain to do and decide to do it once and be done.

Again, some are for straight performance out running the track and trying to get their best time, others are just daily drivers that want long tubes and all Sorts in between.

So as my question was, is there really a difference in long tube brands?

Thanks.

Price out the various brands and let your budget dictate what you can buy with-out going into sticker shock,lol. Some are rather pricey in Canada.Stick with 1 3/4 unless you're going to add boost or spray it. Instead of paying for ceramic coating which doesn't last long up here if you do much winter driving.Our temperature extremes seem to kill the majority of coatings,wrap them with a good quality wrap instead.I've had good luck with my JBA's and they've been on my truck for over 4 years over here in Alberta.

 

[88ROOK]

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For 06-17 Dodge Ram 5.7L V8 Long Tube Racing Exhaust Manifold Header+Collectors



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someone should try these out for the price and write a review.......not me

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Headers have gotten a little expensive over the years---my first set of Hookers for a 57 Chevy were about $150---but that was in the early 60's and that was a lot of money back then. LOL
Jay

****** headers or, as my good friend since the 60's calls 'em, "Hecker *******" have always been pricey but worth it IMHO. A 10X incresse in price sounds crazy until I stop & remember my Mom giving me a nickel every day to buy milk at school. Two 1/2 pints were 4 cents. I got to keep the nickel every day. On Friday, I walked home the long way so I could buy a Milky Way at Neizels candy store for 5 cents. Nowadays, you couldn't soak a cookie in $0.02 of milk. A Milky Way is $1.49
Headers are cheap, relatively speaking. Make some noise, lemme see them Hecker *******!

 

[Lyle Longboat]

Again, lots of info to consider and thanks for all of the input.

 

[Hemi450hp]

Brands to stay away from on these trucks are BBK, ******, and Flowtech. All have had numerous quality control issues including cracked welds, leaks, and warped flanges. I avoid the ebay chinese knockoff headers for the same reasons...Ive seen many crack at the welds. On a personal level, I also have a hard time buying from a manufacturer who is OK with taking someone else's hard work, sending it to China to be copied, and then selling it for less.

For budget longtubes, JBA's are hard to beat. Their hardware isnt the best quality, but Ive been very happy with the headers and Y-pipe they offer. Upgrade to a set of Mopar or Remflex gaskets, add an extra o2 extension, and swap their U bolt clamps for band clamps and you are good to go.

Having said that, I will always run ARH headers on my own trucks. Their quality, fit, completeness of their kits, and durability have been perfect on my last 5 trucks that I ran ARH on. They are made in the USA with 304 stainless, come with good gaskets, bolts, clamps, and all 4 o2 extensions. They also offer a specific Y-pipe for the 5/6sp and the 8sp transmissions to ensure the best fit. Have nothing but good things to say about ARH.

 

[Ronan]

So I was really enjoying my 32t pulley. Until yesterday , bike got totaled(I think). Guy cut across the hov buffers at 60mph and sideswiped me across three lanes of traffic. Almost knocked me over , got the death wobble , tried do downshift and the shifter was ripped off along with the foot peg. Glided over the other two lanes and got it stopped. Very lucky. Crushed my left hand and leg ,but I’m here to tell so all is good. Engine crankcase was also cracked and leaking oil ,so I’m guessing she’ll be totaled. I’ll here from the adjuster today. On to the next ,maybe another sporty, maybe a nightrain always loved those. We’ll see , anyhow, be careful out there and ride safe !!!!!!!!!

Sorry wrong forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[RedSRT4Me]

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someone should try these out for the price and write a review.......not me

Who's gonna fab up the Y pipe? Add that to the cost also.

 

[Tim Garceau]

Who's gonna fab up the Y pipe? Add that to the cost also.

I've only seen one application where they welded and used the 3 hole flanges to the existing y-pipe but it was with the ebay copy. Also went along with a 6.4 HD engine swap.

Most just buy the JBA y-pipe.

 

[88ROOK]

Who's gonna fab up the Y pipe? Add that to the cost also.

pretty sure any exhaust shop is capable of doing that