[GTOLou]

I've read every old post I can find - and talked with some folks.


1) Seems like Doug's are still a good choice if 1 7/8 are enough.


2) I "think" Hooker super comps are next - come w/ 2" primaries for more HP in larger CI builds. I heard from some that they hang lower than Doug's and scrub.

3) Maybe Hedmans are last - come with 2" primaries but maybe more fitment issues and scrub as bad as Hooker SC's.

4) Mad dog headers are a little nebulous - I am not sure "if" they come in round port for second generation F body cars.




Love to hear from folks with real experience. I need some w/ larger primary heades for a 76 TA and think I'll get the Hooker SCs. I wish Doug's came with 2" primaries.

[chief455]

Maddog can make them for you.
I did search here, found his name and number then called. Real nice guy - bent thousands of Pontiac headers over the years
I've seen "others" have fitment issues.

[GTOLou]

Thanks chief...

[chief455]

Originally Posted by GTOLou

Thanks chief...

you're welcome! keep in mind, he is a one man fabricator ready to retire soon! Each pair are made to order, not a billion dollar name brand. Probably why they are usually perfect fit.

[goathead455]

Hookers do hang low.
On a 70 T/A a set only had 4" of ground clearance on a car that had a stock ride height.

[GTOLou]

Only twist on my build is that I am putting an IAII in the car with Eheads - a previous poster had trouble w/ maddogs and a 1st gen. FB and an IAII.



I called Mark - he said he didn't not know if that would be a problem or not.

[b-man]

You'll probably have to sacrifice any kind of decent ground clearance in order to run the bigger primary tube sizes.

There's only so much you can do to package the big tubes on a car with a stock frame. Of course the 2" and larger tube headers are normally meant for race applications where ground clearance isn't a big issue.

The best way would be to have a set built directly on your car by a shop that specializes in header fab, that's probably the only way you'll ever be able to truly maximize fit and ground clearance. Big $$$ for a set, probably $1500 or so.

Even so, big-tube headers are a usually a big headache on any kind of V8 street car and flattening the bottoms of the 2 lower tubes will happen sooner or later.

[GTOLou]

So - I guess the next question is whether I can get away with the Doug's 1 7/8? I've already got 3.5x-pipe set up.





535/IAII, 330cfm heads, HR 242/246 - my RPM range will likely be 1500-6200.

I hate headers that drag, neither of my Doug's in use do. This 76 TA will be stock height.