Summit Brand Headers - any good? - UPDATE: installed!!

I need to replace the headers on my '67 Belvedere with a small block. Has anyone used the Summit brand headers and if so, what are your experiences. They are currently on sale for $297 for the ceramic coated ones.

I'm not looking for the ultimate in performance. Current set up is pretty mild. I'm more interested in installation/fit and to a lesser degree, longevity.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Ed

I have used them on a few different vehicles. Never used the coated ones, but they have always been of good quality, nice thick flanges.

They are, or were, made by Headdman at the time I was buying and using them. The specs matched exactly to the Headdman, and so did the photo comparisons. But that was a couple years ago.

Thanks HP!

Anybody else??

Ed

We used them on a few motors also.Never any problems.They arent bad for the price.Rocky

I put a set of their painted units on my bro's 66 'lite. No real issues. Like any other header take your time cut the flanges and don't over tighten them. Here are their big block headers. I strip them down and hit them W/ VHT high-temp paint.

I used a set on my Challenger, had to pound on them for clearance around the power steering box but other than that no problems!

used the small block ones 3 years ago...flanges and tubes were thicker than the hedmans they replaced. I think they're made by flowtech or dynomax, but all the "cheapie" headers are the same basic config, except the hedmans are a little thinner flange (1/4" vs 5/16) and tube (IIRC 18ga vs 16ga) and hedmans now come with ball-and-socket collectors

fit good with no massaging on my M body, came with hardware and nice graphite gaskets.

I didn't use the coated ones

Thanks guys!!

Based on the specs, these are the best headers available for the money. Hedmans use a 3/16" flange and 18 ga tubes unless you go with the Elite but they don't offer the Elite for a small block B-Body. The Summit brand uses a 5/16" flange and the same 18 ga tubing.

I'm going to place my order right now. I guess I know what I'll be doing for my Easter Weekend

Ed

I hear only dougs, doug thorleys, or tti has the sb ones that go OVER the center link and not under like the cheap ones do. I think u want the former for ground clearance.

As promised, I spent most of my Easter weekend installing the Summit headers. I have to say, I am very pleased with them!! Had it not been for a bolt hole in the passenger side head that a previous owner "repaired". By repaired, I mean he somehow moved it down so I had to elongate one hole in the header flange.

These went on with no problems other than the hole mentioned above and they fit better than the ones I took off. They aren't as close to the starter and they flange bolts were easier to access.

Bottom line, the Summit headers are a great deal in my book.

Ed

What about plug wire clearence. I had a set of Dynomax headers that fit great on Edlebrock heads, but on a pair of stock iron heads I have two plugs that burn up wires.

How's clearance from the bottom? Any leaks? I have the same car as yours, basically (67 Coronet 318) and cheapo headers would be a fun add-on, but I have the car slightly lowered and the roads around here can be kind of bumpy.

I have no issues with plug wire clearance but I have straight boots on all of the plugs EXCEPT for #5 & #7 which have 90* angle boots. I was looking at that yesterday and I think I might be able to use straight boots now with the Summit headers but I would need to put heat sleeves on them.

As far as ground clearance, my car sits VERY low because of the Hotchkis TVS suspension. I never really had any problems with the previous headers and the Summmit headers have a little more ground clearance on the driver's side. Today I'm going to drive the car around town at lunch and give it a real world test.

No leaks at all. I used the supplied flange gaskets but aluminum collector gaskets that I had on the old headers. So far, so good!

BTW, I wouldn't call these "cheapo" headers - more like a bargain. The coating looks nice, the tubes are 18 ga like most and the flanges are 5/16" which sure beats the 3/16" that many of them use. I couldn't justify the price for TTI headers on this car. These were on sale at Summit for $296 when I ordered them last week (reg. $330).

Thanks to everyone for their input

Ed

Well, I took it out for about an hour today and while the streets of Carlisle aren't exactly a torture test, it was some real world seat time. Still no leaks and plenty of ground clearance.

As an added bonus, I took it to Taco Bell to try to new Dorito Taco and the chick at the drive thru told me I had a bad azz car and I got another compliment at the convenience store. BTW, the Dorito Taco is only OK in my book but it was a little cold by the time I decided to stop driving the car and eat

Ed

I just installed summit coated headers on my duster. I put them on a new 416 stroker milodon oil pan solid motor mounts they will fit very tight. I put my headers on and broke in the cam engine ,and #7 and #6 tube(close to spark plug) changed a little in color. They have good thick flanges.

Sounds like you're very happy and got a good deal to boot.

Looking at the price of other new headers in the new Summit catalog I'd say the Summit headers will sell well.

Running the correct angle boot and/or routing them correctly solves most issues on the #5 & #7 sparkplugs.

Quote:

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I just installed summit coated headers on my duster. I put them on a new 416 stroker milodon oil pan solid motor mounts they will fit very tight. I put my headers on and broke in the cam engine ,and #7 and #6 tube(close to spark plug) changed a little in color. They have good thick flanges.

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I noticed on the instruction sheet that it says the coating may discolor if used on an engine that is being broken in due to the extreme heat

Yeah, I glanced at the instructions just to be safe

Ed