Weel I know what i'll try next time. I just installed flowtech ceramic headers on my 67 bbc beaumont and I had too cut 3/4" out of the front passenger tube.. I do not recomend these.:noway:

 

MAc what headers did yu have before, and what size now?

 

I just had stock exhuast manifolds. I was going to wait until I pulled my engine to have the oil burning issue addressed before installing them, but it will be this summer before I can get it done so I went ahead and put them on. Sound great, tuck up nice and tight, great clearance for the plugs and oil filter.....plus the car runs stronger!!!

I used the Headman 68198 Thermal HTC coated headers.

Mac

 

I used the Headman 68198 Thermal HTC coated headers.

That's interesting, 68198 is the same number that Hedman uses for a '66 B body (in my case, Impala), and I think Camaro as well. Those are also Hedman's "Elite" line, 1 3/4" primary and 3" collectors.

Joe, Mac, you guys seem pretty pleased with them. Highly recommended?

Dan

 

Those are the same headers I use. They are heavy though which is nice for sound control. I found the 14 gauge tubes do not have that ring. I recently switched to Percy's round aluminum gaskets, these have a good port match.

 

Those are the same headers I use. They are heavy though which is nice for sound control. I found the 14 gauge tubes do not have that ring. I recently switched to Percy's round aluminum gaskets, these have a good port match.

Did you use the round ones on your GMPP or another motor? I am going to switch mine to a Percy aluminum and was curious which ones you recommend for my GMPP 454HO?

 

Yeah, I may change my gaskets latter to find a set with a better port match. I can not remember which type he used when he installed them but they were the ones that came with the headers. I keep hearing a lot about the aluminum ones but I have never used them before.

The headers have basically no ring to them which is great. They look awsome a nd sound very mean at idle and under acceleration. Once I get my engine pulled, fixed and repainted chevy orange, they will really stand out in the engine compartment.

I am actually going to the track these weekend to run my car (and a grudge race against a buddy with a 68 Camaro) to get an idea of what kinda times it runs. Feel pretty good except for the launch. Trying ti figure the best way to launch this thing (TH400, 3.31 gears, and 255/60/15 Goodyears) to minimize spin. Thinking I may lower the tire pressure slightly to give me an extra rubber on the track. Now I am just staging in low (1st) at around 1500-1600 rpms and letting it rip. Any suggestions?

I now need to figure out how to get my chrome valve covers (Trans Dapt, OEM reproductions) to clear the lifters. I bought an extra thick gasket, but I am still not sure they will clear. Any suggestions on how to get these valve covers high enough. I am trying to get a stock/factory look on my engine.

ASO544

 

I've had the same headers on the car since '04. I did have a couple tubes that discolored during breakin of a motor. Sent them back, Hedman recoated them. For what I use them for, they are great. If my car was primarily a strip car, I would probably go with a 2" tube equal length header, but for a street ride that sees the track 1-2 times a year, these work great. Using thes with my current iteration which includes a set of Dart Pro One heads. These port alignment was very good on these also. So no complaints here. Only issue I wound up is very tight plug access on #5 plug due to the .400" raised ports of the Dart heads. Swap to a 90* boot solved this.

 

I say yes for now but I have only had them for a couple of days... Joe would have a better determination. I can say the look great, fit great, sound great, and perform great.....all as of now.

I will try and get some pics of the clearance inside the engine bay and underneath the car. The tuck up very tight and the lines are clean underneath.

ASO544

 

Put Hedman Elites (ceramic coated) on the 454 in my 67. Would recommend them for fit and quality to anyone.

A tip from Hedman - polish them with Mother's mag wheel polish once a year. Keeps them looking like new and removes any crap that gets on them. Works.

Where did you order those headers from? Part #? They sound great and I'm looking for a pair myself. Thanks-

 

Put Hedman Elites (ceramic coated) on the 454 in my 67. Would recommend them for fit and quality to anyone.

A tip from Hedman - polish them with Mother's mag wheel polish once a year. Keeps them looking like new and removes any crap that gets on them. Works.

 

Summit.....HED-68198...I think.

 

Joe, Herb, Mac - thanks for the feedback.

I still have not completely decided to use full length headers or shorties but your reports that the Hedman's don't hang down excessively low may sway my decision. Frankly, I'd rather use manifolds but I'm pretty sure even the L72 B body/Vette hi flow manifolds will bottle neck the 489 that will be going in this car.

I see that Jet Hot offers the Hedmans' with their coatings - I imagine Jet Hot orders the Elites without coating and they then apply their own. Curious if there's a big difference between the two.

Are the coated Elites from Hedman coated inside and out?

Dan

 

Sorry, but i did notlook inside the tubes. If I had to say I would say no. Maybe someone else who has the Headman Elite Headers can advise on this.

Go with the long. I was the same as you regarding the short but after much reading here at TC I went with the full length and it is the way to go. I was also under the impression the big blocks love the full length headers and will increase low end power where the shorties increase the upper RPM range. Again, maybe a more knowledgable person could chime in on this. Again, these tuck up very nicely. My oil pan is almost as low as these headers!!!

Joe, Herb, Mac - thanks for the feedback.

I still have not completely decided to use full length headers or shorties but your reports that the Hedman's don't hang down excessively low may sway my decision. Frankly, I'd rather use manifolds but I'm pretty sure even the L72 B body/Vette hi flow manifolds will bottle neck the 489 that will be going in this car.

I see that Jet Hot offers the Hedmans' with their coatings - I imagine Jet Hot orders the Elites without coating and they then apply their own. Curious if there's a big difference between the two.

Are the coated Elites from Hedman coated inside and out?

Dan

 

Note the space between the pipe and cross member. They can't go much higher and not hit it. Those are 2 1/2 in. exhaust pipes, 3 in. collectors and 1 3/4 (maybe 5/8) primaries. There is room to use a 3 in. system if you want but I don't.

My Hedmans came from Summit.

I'm fine with their appearance.

 

Thanks Herb.

How does the ball/socket collector to pipe connection work out? Seems it must be better than the typical flat flange and gasket set up.

I see that you, too, are running a 489. My existing system is 2.5 in to/out of an X and into the mufflers, then 2.25 to the rear bumper. Seems most here feel 3" is better between the collector and the mufflers. If I may ask, why did you decide on 2.5 inch pipes off the collectors?

Dan

 

Thanks Herb.

If I may ask, why did you decide on 2.5 inch pipes off the collectors?

Dan

Priorities - The 2.5's work for a cruiser and I could spend those additonial funds elsewhere.

Elites use 3/8 in flanges = good.

 

I have Hedman 68196(little thinner gauge metal than the 68198) headers on my Chevelle,they were installed back in Feb. of 00.They have held up well,but the ceramic is giving up and they are starting to rust in places.I will remove them and have them recoated as they fit and perform well.They were $281. from Summit back then.

 

They do fit well. Here's a look without the body in the way.

 

i put them on my 71 back in high school. i would opt for the ceramic coated ones. you could really feel the heat in the floor

 

The Elites come ceramic coated, the standard version are available coated or not. Makes sense to go with the Elites when you are all said and done since they are made of heavier gauge metal and are already coated.

 

Can you guy's post a picture of the ground clearance under the front looking to the rear. My car is lowered and i am using shortie's but can feel the loss of low end power in the seat of the pant's.

 

I don't have a pic of under my car,but if you look at it,it has the full Hotchkiss lowering treatment front and back(tubular upper a arms,Firebird spindles,1" lower springs.Plus I run original size 14" tires and wheels.Has good ground clearence, has never been an issue,and I live on a gravel road.

 

The Elite Series have what is called HTC "High Temp Coating". It is not ceramic. I don't know the difference other than it is a satin gloss as opposed to a high gloss. Benefit of the Elite series is the flange thickness is 3/8" and the tubes are 14 gauge which really dampers the underhood sound. The 198's come with a square port entry for better match up, especially with the smaller tube. I have seen several 1.75" primary headers that had round port entry and would not come even close to matching the exhaust port.

One point of advice, give them 2-3 heat cycles to let the coating cure and it will hold up much better.

 

we changed from Hooker Super Comps 2.125" X 3.5" on my father's ZZ502 and went with the Hedman Elite 68198. The difference in ground clearance was right at 2". He went from scraping all the time to never scraping again and we both feel the motor picked up low end torque in the smaller primaries. He is 81 so the couple of hp he lost in the upper rpm's is a non-issue. Here's a link to a pic that sold me on the ground clearance. This is on a '70 El Camino SS with a big block and it is the Hedman 68198's:

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Headers6.JPG

His tucked up just like the ones in the pic, you'd almost have to dent the oil pan to dent the lowest tube.

 

so you say that mothers mag polish will get rid of the rust like stuff on the headers (its not rust). i have the headman elite shorties w/3 in all the way back into flowmaster super 44s. and it sounds like a beast

 

That's what Hedman told me to use to keep them looking good. Can't hurt, give it a try.

 

I have the cheap painted Hemans on my 77. They have been on for almost 10 years now! Still not rusted out!:thumbsup:

 

I bought a set from Jet Hot and they're coated inside and out, only time will tell if the coating holds up or not.

They fit just fine and this is the first set of headers I've had that have NOT had a ground clearance issue. I've been over some monster speed bumps and not even a scratch!!!! The ball and socket connection is wonderful, no leaks, and no gaskets to replace!!!:hurray:

I did have to have a muffler shop make me adapters for using 3" pipe, the Hedmans come with ones for 2 1/2".