[TransAm525]

I'm finally ready to replace the exhaust system on my 1978 Trans Am. The car has been lowered about 3-1/2", so ground clearance is a big issue. The two header candidates are the Hedman 28150 and Doug's D-port. I"m looking for a header that will fit without hammering tubes and provide maximum ground clearance, and these two models have been recommended. With either brand, I will be sending the new headers out for a full internal and external ceramic coating. The Hedman 28150 and Doug's look nearly identical in side-by-side pictures, but Doug's cost nearly double the Hedmans.

[Larry Navarro]

If you were to look at the side of the car at the subframe, you'll see HALF of the 3" collector tube below it.

[Ron]

Doug's will provide more ground clearance.

[Larry Navarro]

With a f-body lowered 3.5", I would suggest asking your question over on the pro-touring site.
I know a guy who had to cut and section the primary tubes on a set of DOUG's to get the amount of ground clearance needed for his trans am.

[Ron]

Wow..if they had to section a DOUG'S header they probably would have had to cut the primary tubes off completely if they used Hedman since they hang so much lower than DOUG'S headers.

[Larry Navarro]

Fact of the matter is, regardless of either make, for a lowered trans am, the shop had to cut-up a $600 set of headers vs. a $200 set, in order to obtain the ground clearance.

[Ron]

Fact of the matter is they would have had to eliminate the primary tubes and collector on the cheaper Hedman header. Which means...no header doesn't it.

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Ron

Fact of the matter is they would have had to eliminate the primary tubes and collector on the cheaper Hedman header.

Good guess.

TransAm525,
Send me a pm and I'll help you out with the modifications needed for EITHER header in regards to a lowered F-BODY.

[Ron]

No guess....plain fact. The Hedman header is lower than a DOUG'S header...lots lower.

[TransAm525]

I've seen pictures of Larry's car with the Hedmans, and the clearance appears to be fine; his car is lowered about the same as mine. My frame crossmember sits about 3 inches from the ground. I'm sure the clearance difference between the Dougs and Hedmans are close enough they will work on my car, but I'm wondering what the extra $250 for the Dougs provide. Are the Doug's tubes thicker, do they have thicker flanges, do they flow better, do they come with a hot chick, etc.? What's with the extra $250?

[HWYSTR455]

You're going to smash 'em if you drive the car on the street, period. The headman's pass side header is lower than the driver's side, the way they make them. The Doug's are a tighter fit to the body, thicker flanges and tubes I believe, and are more 'balanced'.

Put the headmans on and once they're smashed too much, change them. Don't worry about coating them, kind of a waste of money (if you're smashing & changing them).

Manifolds & downpipes will give you the most clearance, but on a lowered car, you're going to smash those too.

Nature of the beast, welcome to 2nd gen club.

.

[71firebird400]

Originally Posted by Ron

No guess....plain fact. The Hedman header is lower than a DOUG'S header...lots lower.

I've got the 28150's on my car, the collectors hang about .75" lower than the frame rails. I'm not sure how they could be any higher as the top of the collector is very close to the bottom of the car. The only way I can see you picking up any significant clearance is by using a smaller collector diameter.

Ron, have you had the Hedmans? Or are you just a Dougs fanboy?

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

I know a guy who had to cut and section the primary tubes on a set of DOUG's to get the amount of ground clearance needed for his trans am.

Here are the pics he sent me concerning the DOUGs modifications.
"A picture is worth a thousand words". They will be posted in progression; before and after.

Take note of the lift-pads in contact with the sub-frame and you'll see why the headers required modifications on this LOW f-body.
By the same comparison, I even attached a photo of the Hedman #28150's on my lowered f-body.
......notice the smashed tubes after 8 years of service.

That, my fellow PY bretheren, are "the facts".

[Ron]

No Hedmans because of the poor quality and ground clearance but three sets of Doug's.

Hedman and others are a 30+ year old design that has never been updated. Doug's are of recent design...a few years old.

[tempest455]

I recently installed a set of Hookers on a buddy's GTO. I have owned sets in the past, however, the most recent set I installed, the quality is much improved. Much thicker flanges and tubing. I was impressed for the money.

[Larry Navarro]

....too bad DOUGs "recent design" is based on 30 years of inadequate ground clearance.

[TransAm525]

I'm open to the Hooker headers too, but haven't heard any feedback regarding the ground clearance. I've also heard the fit was poor. Have they changed their Pontiac header design?

[Larry Navarro]

I've had Hookers on an old SD t/a and they fit okay but were a bitch to install. I had to dimple a primary tube at the lower A-frame mount.
Of course these were round ports and your question is in regard to D-port installation.

[tempest455]

The latest set I installed bolted right in. In fact, no tube dimples which I'm used to doing. These were D port and round is usually tighter. That being said, when I used to have D ports and ran Hookers, this set fit better on his car than my old ones did.

[grandville455]

larry u have a pm....