[tremo]

Would love to get a set of Doug's Headers for my nearly complete RA-IV 400ci, but would rather use the extra cash elsewhere (rearend, converter, etc). As such, I've narrowed my header choices down to the following for my '69 Custom S. Which would you buy if you had my car?

- Hedman #HED-28146: 4-tube, full-length, ceramic coated, NOT equal length, 1 5/8” primary tube diameter, 1/4" flange, 16-gauge, $370

- Hooker #HOK-4108HKR: 4-tube, full-length, painted, equal length, 1 3/4" primary tube diameter, 5/16" flange, 18-gauge, $370.

Summary Hedman: Coated, not equal length, smaller 1 5/8" primary tubes, thinner 1/4" flange but thicker 16-gauge.

Summary Hooker: Painted, equal length, larger 1 3/4" primary tubes, thicker 5/16" flange but thinner 18-gauge.

I'd rather not spend the extra $200+ to have the Hookers Jet-Hot coated so I'm leaning towards the Hedman's. That is unless there are performance advantages to the larger 1 3/4" primary tubes, equal length and perhaps ease of installation on the Hookers?

What do ya' think?

Thanks for your input!

Jim.

[b777d]

I went with super comp hooker headers on my 71 I must say they sound great but it was a night mare installing them just a few things I had to do was move the oil filter go with a smaller starter re-route the tranny lines, lose the ac box on the firewall, IM not saying you will but I just want you to know what you might be getting into.
Brian

[Dick Boneske]

I'd use the RA IV cast iron manifolds. They will perform as well as headers (better than some) on the street and sound a lot better. ALL headers leak after a short time on the street after which they sound terrible. Most need to be dented to clear some part of the steering shaft or coupling. When they are new and tight, the sound is fine, but not for long. If you ever sell your car, the cast iron ones will help you, leaky headers won't.

This is from someone who has used Doug's headers, Mickey Thompson headers, Heddman headers, and factory hi-po manifolds on my '64 GTO. After all the experience, there is no doubt which way I'd go.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[TCSGTO]

If you have round ports neither one of those headers will fit. They are for d-ports.
When I swapped my E-Heads on I went with the Hedman coated round ports because they were 1-3/4" primaries & the Hooker round ports were 2". I didn't think I needed the larger pipes. I think the Hookers have 3.5" collectors too. Neither company makes 1 5/8" headers for round ports.
Hedmans coating is much better than Hookers. If you go with Hookers buy them painted & get them coated by a specialty company.
RA Manifolds are a good option for the street but if you have any modifications you'll be leaving alot of HP on the table.

[tremo]

Thanks guys! Good advice...

Sorry TCSGTO, I should have clarified. It's a RA-IV spec motor sans the elusive & expensive round port heads. So, they are #16 large valve, small chamber (72cc) D-ports. Good to know the Hedmans have a good coating.

Anyone, so given this new information, would you go with the coated 1 5/8" Hedmans or the 1 3/4" Hookers? Any real performance advantage with Hooker's equal length 1 3/4" tubes? Any advice on which is easier to install with my stock starter, etc? Would rather not have to mess with moving tranny lines, purchasing a smaller starter, etc.

Thanks! I appreciate any and all input.

Jim.

[KS circutguy]

Have U seen a set of FlowTech ceramic coated for less than 300.00.

[tremo]

Hmmm. Thanks for the tip. I had checked out the painted FlowTechs but missed the ceramic coated ones. Summit shows them for $229: BIG-31170FLT. Not bad, not bad at all....

Any fitment issues to a '69 LeMans with a 400? This is my biggest concern; would rather not have to bend/dent the tubes if at all possible. Also, who makes FlowTech? Aren't they low-end Hookers?

Thanks!

Jim.

[KS circutguy]

Holley makes them I think.
They fit very good - no issues. However I have to use the smaller oil filter. I change it often and it is a lot easier to get on and off.
Tip, use 12 point header bolts, get longer than stock chebby bolts more grip.
Use Mr. Gaskest Ultra's.
Install inside 2 bolts 1st(center tube). Easier to replace if you cut the bottom of the bolt holes on the gasket to slide them in.I now cut the end and center holes out at the bottom. Then just loosen the center bolts, take out the only the ones that are easy to get to.
Use Ultra High Temp orange silicone on BOTH sides of the gasket.
Retorque after several heat cool downs, recheck every so often.

I had my exhaust system redone with Magna Flows after I did the headers, the shop here supported all the pipe from headers back, then welded the system.Installed hangers ect.
I can now take the headers loose(with the collectors still bolted up!) and nothing shifts - or moves.
Makes things much easier.

http://www.holley.com/categories.asp...on=Flowtech#35

[Tom from NJ]

Would you have a part number for the smaller oil filter? I use the standard WIX and it is like a puzzle to get it out between the header and the block. I spill oil all over the place and after I am sure it can not fit out, it slides out on its own. Putting the new one up is just as bad. A smaller filter would cut down on the mess and stress.

Tom

[KS circutguy]

I use the NAPA Gold #1522 made by Wix!