Anybody know if these are ok?

[bhm1712]

I've ordered ceramic coated because I'm wary of wrapping untreated headers. There's a lot of write ups from the US car scene where people have ended up replacing headers every 2 - 3 years because they have cracked or rotted through due to the wrap causing the metal to be superheated above its design temperature. I really can't be bothered or afford to buy headers every few years! Maybe they were unfortunate but apparently even NASCAR teams have stopped wrapping headers and gone for ceramic now

[bhm1712]

Exactly how high off the ground do you need to raise the front end to fit long tubes?

[carterdj]

Just as a not, ceramic coated headers still rust, mine are now showing some pitting and they are about 2 years old. If i ever have some money I might ask the place that made my exhaust how much to maks some SS ones instead.

Cheers
Darren

[bhm1712]

What brand did you use?

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

I know the Pacesetter ceramic headers bubble then rust within a year even on light use cars, and the still get damn hot

[bhm1712]

Hope these don't.

I've had an email yesterday to say they are going to be a loooonnnggg time and I have the right to cancel.

Looking at 20th feb if I wait for dispatch and then 2-3 weeks delivery

Good things come to those who wait or a they say

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

see how many scratchers you get on them when fitting them and on your self . i am going to wrap mine wrap looks good if done properly

just got to take your time and they look fine
it is worth getting extra ties (like metal cable ties) as they never give you enough. the ones for driveshaft CV boots are good

[bhm1712]

What about the shortened life of them with wrap - is that unfounded?

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

read a lot about it
opinions seem divided, but not as bad a problem as some make out it seems
some manufactures say warranty is void if wrapped (any excuse to save them from replacing faulty ones)
other makes don't care, happy to stand by their products
on low mileage cars with road use I cant see it being a big problem (I will let you know if mine fall off next week)
there is the problems associated with excessive engine bay temperatures to consider too
wiring, fuel systems and electrics/sensors may all fail due to heat build up with unwrapped headers. this could work out more expensive
plus the loss of power due to the heat and poorer gas flow must be considered

[BRYDENGTA]

[bhm1712]

Well I'm thinking of cancelling the order seeing as though I have been given the choice by Summit. Instead ill order the raw hedman ones, wrap them and save a couple of hundred dollars which I can then use to buy the cutouts!!

How's that sound?

[BRYDENGTA]

Sounds quite good to me Ian Hedmans are great and to have cutouts also is even better

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

good call dude

[banker]

Hedmans, make sure you get copper gaskets

[bhm1712]

Hedmans, make sure you get copper gaskets

How come??

The ones I have are hedman and they have normal felpro gaskets. Have been ok for the last 3 years.

Do they seal up better? With the copper? Always thought the felpro ones are a tad thick to be honest!

[banker]

Had a few issues with gaskets blowing with the Hedmans, copper ones seemed the only cure

[bhm1712]

Cheers!! Will go the copper route then.

So these: http://bit.ly/1eyMKtK

Or these: http://bit.ly/1eyiaOP

[bhm1712]

Don't know whether it's true or not but I have read on some if the American forums I'm on that the 3 branch headers aid scavenging if you don't have a h or x pipe?

[bhm1712]

Found this useful information:

Building a Strong Street Machine

By Jim Hand



Three tube vs. Four tube headers



The most significant advantage of tube headers (with a common collector) is their ability to lower the atmospheric pressure within the collector. This provides scavenging of the combustion chamber, which more effectively removes the exhaust gases and tends to "suck" the intake charge into the chamber during overlap. The effectiveness of the scavenging is dependent on proper matching (tuning) of the header pipe sizes to the engine RPM and application. All street Pontiacs run best with 1 5/8 or 1 ¾ inch primary tubes into a 3 inch collector. The primary tubes length should average 30 inches or longer. A race engine that never sees a load under 4500 RPM may run slightly better with larger diameter primary and secondary sizes. The "tuning" ability of 4 tube headers make them slightly more effective than 3 tube units. The 2 inch center tube simply will not "tune" in the operating range of the engine. Most three tube units have very short primary tubes, which again tune above the normal operating RPM of our Pontiacs.

How much difference in performance is there? We recently substituted a set of "Blackjack" aluminized three tube headers in place of "Hooker" four tube 1 ¾ inch primaries, 9 inch secondaries, on our 11 second ’67 Le Mans, and it lost .2 seconds and 2 MPH in the ¼. The three tube units were tried on our 12.5 second ’71 Le Mans in the place of four tube "Hookers", and it lost. 1 second and 1 MPH. Although there is a small, measurable difference in performance at the dragstrip, it is unlikely that this difference could be detected on the street. Accordingly, use the headers that fit best, are easiest to install, and are the most reasonably priced commensurate with their quality.

We have performed a similar test with the Pontiac GTO cast headers (Ram Air series) on the 12.5 second car, and they performed identically to the three tube units. The cast units are easier to install and maintain in comparison to the tube type headers, and are an excellent choice for street and street/strip applications.

[bhm1712]

on a side note, anybody know how much wrap i would need to order to do a set of 4 branch headers?

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

depends how far you want to wrap along the exhaust
and a bit extra for starter etc. is handy.
probably best to get a couple of rolls

[bhm1712]

depends how far you want to wrap along the exhaust
and a bit extra for starter etc. is handy.
probably best to get a couple of rolls

ok cheers!

does this look ok?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-5m-Titani ... 4aba8e0f4d

ive cancelled my summit order and got these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hedman-Hedder ... 58a65dfda6

[SUPERCHARGEDGTA]

looks good

[bhm1712]

I bought this one . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DEI-PERFORMAN ... 43b7cce0c9

£88! Wow! Didn't know it was so expensive

[bhm1712]

you pay for quality and that for 100 ft .the one you put up is 5 meters that will not do one header

Is 1 inch or 2 inch wide best?

I don't think I will need 100ft though will I? Is like to get just the right amount but I guess it only comes in these sizes.