Opinions on Headers?

[Sport]

I'm thinking about getting some short tube headers for my truck. I noticed that Gibson headers are $400 while cheap ebay headers are around $150? Has anyone tried both? Are the gibsons worth the extra cash? My goal is to get some more low/mid range torque for driving up long, steep grades without downshifting as early.

Also, how is the installation for headers? Seems like it would be fairly easy. I'm worried about the rusty manifold bolts possibly snapping though....

 

[MagSport]

I'm thinking about getting some short tube headers for my truck. I noticed that Gibson headers are $400 while cheap ebay headers are around $150? Has anyone tried both? Are the gibsons worth the extra cash? My goal is to get some more low/mid range torque for driving up long, steep grades without downshifting as early.



Also, how is the installation for headers? Seems like it would be fairly easy. I'm worried about the rusty manifold bolts possibly snapping though....

You get what you pay for when it comes to headers. And yeah the bolts are normally hard to get out; expect some moderate cursing and ****** knuckles when breaking or removing those pesky header bolt.s

 

[dapepper9]

JBA stainless or Gibson stainless minimum. Dint get the ebay cheapies. Welds break, flanges warp and refuse to seal, rust out. Honestly getting my NEW bolts in was a bigger pain in the ass than getting the old ones out but i used pb blaster on em then drove it got em hot and pb blasted em again later. Did that for 3 days. Not one broke. Did round a nut on one of studs but extractor sockets work amazing for studs too. Did you a sawzall on 2 studs just so i could pull the manifold and have more access to studs.

 

[Saltillo Express]

Aren't Pacesetter long tubes are around $300? But you'd have to have an exhaust shop tie them in. Maybe not an option. But - soak the manifold bolts in PB Blaster overnight and cross your fingers.

 

[MADDOG]

Having done quite a few headers in my day I can highly recommend JBA & Gibson headers. Excellent fit, finish and quality. What I like about them is the thicker flanges on these that won't warp over time after multiple heating and cooling cycles.

Consider getting them ceramic coated. I know it's an additional expense but over the long term the coating will cut down on underhood heat, promote exhaust scavenging and protect the header from corrosion.

Also, don't use the gaskets supplied. Get some good ones from Summit with a steel or copper core and exhaust port matched raised embosses. Then, get a set of Stage 8 locking fasteners. You won't have to deal with leaks with these parts installed.

Good luck with the upgrades!

 

[Sport]

Seems like the gibsons are hard to beat, I think I'll go with them. Luckily with gibson you can order them ceramic coated, so I think I'll just save up a little extra and get the ceramic coated ones. I'll be using lots of penetrating fluid on those bolts!

 

[MADDOG]

Good luck with the install!

 

[Carson99Sport]

I have Summit Racing shorty headers (Just Pace Setter shortys but 100$ cheaper) And noticeable response in the throttle only thing sucks is they come with cheap paint that'll bubble off and I repainted mine with high temp header paint

 

[dapepper9]

I have Summit Racing shorty headers (Just Pace Setter shortys but 100$ cheaper) And noticeable response in the throttle only thing sucks is they come with cheap paint that'll bubble off and I repainted mine with high temp header paint

Pacesetter are junk. Perform the same but do not last like jba or Gibson

 

[1SilverBullet2]

My pacesetters were horrible quality. I'd never recommend them. Everything on them was warped


Sent from the howitzer

 

[avantiguy]

Having done quite a few headers in my day I can highly recommend JBA & Gibson headers. Excellent fit, finish and quality. What I like about them is the thicker flanges on these that won't warp over time after multiple heating and cooling cycles.

Consider getting them ceramic coated. I know it's an additional expense but over the long term the coating will cut down on underhood heat, promote exhaust scavenging and protect the header from corrosion.

Also, don't use the gaskets supplied. Get some good ones from Summit with a steel or copper core and exhaust port matched raised embosses. Then, get a set of Stage 8 locking fasteners. You won't have to deal with leaks with these parts installed.

Good luck with the upgrades!

Excellent advise particularly the heat issue. If you don't coat them, at least wrap them with DEI wrap which is what I use on my installations. Let me also suggest that you do a lot more study on the internet about what headers do what on a particular truck/engine combination. Not all headers are created equal.

Lastly, when you start getting into hundreds of dollars, it might be time to consider an EFI program kit that would allow you to modify the computer according to use.

I'm guessing in this day of high efficiency engines that a fair bit of engineering go into the efficiency of the exhaust manifolds and, in fact, the entire system.

 

[BBartow]

Wrapping voids warranties