[temp2c]

The car is a 1969 el Camino SS396. It has a stock 1978 454 truck motor with 781 heads. The car has stock manifolds with Pypes 2-1/2" mandril system and Dynomax Super Turbos 17749.

I'm looking for more sound, a little more power and that cool look headers give an under-hood... The most important thing is that these headers don't drag. I would like to use full length if possible..

Thank you...

 

[any4xx]

Friend put Hookers on his ‘68 BB and they had to be dinged up in several places to fit properly. I put Hedman Elites on my ‘68 BB and they fit perfectly.

 

[Slick87gn]

'70 El Camino 454 auto P.S. and P.B. Hookers went in. No dinging. No A.C.

 

[Tommy the Cat]

I've had a hell of a time trying to get the Hedman 1 3/4” headers to seal on my 781s. The port/flange is a bad mismatch. I think I'll step up to 2" soon and try to find a flange that matches better.

I'm putting them in a truck but I'll be using Chevelle headers for ground clearance so I'll be following along.

 

[spoffie1962]

Hydro462- You'll get gains from headers, but that Pypes 2.5" & 20" Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers are not robbing any HP. If you like the tone of your current mufflers but want a little more volume, try using a shorter Super Turbo, such as this 14" version- https://classicmusclecarexhaust.com/p/2-5-dynomax-super-turbo-mufflers-14. They also come in a 16" version if you'd like.

 

[Steve R]

Is there a reason you don’t want to use a 3/4 length header? They generally fit well and don’t have ground clearance issues.

Steve R

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

Hookers with big tubes hang low.:x

 

[Lew540]

I would look at some of the name brands in 1 7/8 size with a 3 inch collector and get them HPC / Jet Hot coated as part of the package. The coating will last longer than the paint.

 

[blm]

Another vote for the Hedman Elites. I have had 3 sets of headers on my 69. Bought it with a set of ? Name uncoated headers on them. Ran them for at least 10 years. This period was when I discovered that there is not a paint on the planet that holds up on headers. Next up was the Hedman Elites. Reasonably priced, fit great and are coated plus heavy flanges. Only issue is after 7 years the coating was showing some minor wear but just send out to Jet Hot and get a lifetime warranty. Am currently running a set of Lemons but bought them when I built a brand new 496. My Hedmans would be slightly undersized (1 & 7/8) for 600 hp.

 

[72soft-top]

I have Flowtech on mine with 781 heads. Fit well, no dings required. The drivers side does hang a little lower

 

[Bart_Swisher]

The car is a 1969 el Camino SS396. It has a stock 1978 454 truck motor with 781 heads. The car has stock manifolds with Pypes 2-1/2" mandril system and Dynomax Super Turbos 17749.

I'm looking for more sound, a little more power and that cool look headers give an under-hood... The most important thing is that these headers don't drag. I would like to use full length if possible..

Thank you...

Summit G9010 headers will work perfectly and are inexpensive. I have the 3" pypes system and 78 454 781 heads as well. I am also lowered quite a bit and have zero issues with clearance anywhere.

 

[mr 4 speed]

Part # SUM-G9010 from Summit fit like a glove. I have used these headers many,many times over the years on 1968-72 Chevelles and El Caminos. Full length, 1 3/4" primaries,3" collectors and they do not hang low.

 

[shovelrick]

I have the same summit headers mentioned above :thumbsup: fit great on my 68 Malibu with a 454 & 063 heads, VHT paint

 

[68elky396]

I had a set of Hooker Super Comp headers on my 68 elky 396. They fit real nice I remember. Years later, I installed some 1 inch lowering springs all the way around and that's when I started having ground clearance issues. I believe it was the one tube on the passenger side that hung a little lower than the seven other tubes, it started getting some damage.
I bought another set, this time from Hedman. I bought their Elite series hedders p/n 68198 and they do not have ground clearance issues. Because I have a/c, the one thing I don't like about them is the #8 sparkplug access, "PITA". The Hooker was still tricky, but I could get at it with a long extension and a swivel and come in through the fender well behind the wheel with the car jacked up a little to get the wheel to hang down, can't do that with the Hedman. Also, with the Hedman, the spark plug boots are a little too close to the hedder tubes for my liking. I am running a 45* boot.
If I hadn't lowered the vehicle, I would much rather have the long tube Hooker Super Comp headers than the Hedman Elites that are on there now. Just my opinion and my experience. I hope this helps you a little.
Steve

 

[68elky396]

Oh, one more thing, I finally tried the Summit copper header flange gaskets and they are awesome. I have had no problems with them whatsoever. I tightened them a couple of times and that was it, no leaks! Very happy with them.