Moparts
What are the best SB headers for a B-body?
Posted By: closer9
What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/17/10 06:23 PM
I know this is a very subjective question. Everyone has their own opinion, and that's what I'm looking for. I want to know what everything thinks and WHY? and where's the best deal?
I'm looking for long tube ceramic (stainless?) headers for a 318 Magnum going into a '67 B-body with power steering/brakes.
Right now, I'm really leaning towards Hooker Comps.
Posted By: mopars4ever
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/17/10 09:38 PM
http://www.ttiexhaust.com/ These were the easiest headers I ever installed.
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:08 PM
Quote:
http://www.ttiexhaust.com/ These were the easiest headers I ever installed.
Small block? If so, which coating did you get, and what starter did you use? It's looking like I need to switch to a mini start if I want to be able to remove it without pulling anyone's headers.
TTI looks like a great choice. I just can't decide it they're worth the extra $200 or so...
Posted By: mopars4ever
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:18 PM
Yes, small block. I used a mini starter but I think a stock starter fits ok. I have the nickel/chrome but the finish dulls over time. They are more $$$ but I think they are worth it. Spark plug access is a breeze too.
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:32 PM
Ease of install, and plug access are big concerns, so good to hear. Got any pix?
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:42 PM
Check out the Dougs Headers (not Doug Thorley). Same features as the Super Comps and TTi's including the all important over the drag link design. I picked mine up for a total of $480 shipped and that was polished ceramic. From
herehttp://www.centuryperformance.com/dou-d453-pr-DOU-D453.html . Call the guy he will work on the advertised price. Also he does not have all applications listed but can get it. Easy purcase and they shipped quick.
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:49 PM
Quote:
Check out the Dougs Headers (not Doug Thorley). Same features as the Super Comps and TTi's including the all important over the drag link design. I picked mine up for a total of $480 shipped and that was polished ceramic.
Will do. Any install, plug access or starter access issues? Any particular vendor?
thanks...
Posted By: Challenger_Nut
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 01:55 PM
No fittment issues at all on my 'cuda, it's a 70 S.B.. I did already have a mini starter though. So I am not sure if it is an issue. I believe that on the notes for applications on the Doug's site it states a mini starter as a requirement. I added a link above to the guy I got mine from.
Posted By: Crizila
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 03:42 PM
I'm running a set of Hooker 1 3/4" Super Comps in a late B ( 408 SB with 8 qt pan, mini starter, block mounted oil filter )with no clearance problems.
Posted By: AINTNRT
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 04:09 PM
I'm running a set of Hookers in my 68 Charger. No fitment or clearance issues and I have the big starter.
Posted By: MoparforLife
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 04:22 PM
I have an old set of 69 dollar Black Jacks on the 67 Coronet and they fit fine. Even had them on the Duster at first and when I put that engine in the Coronet the headers went with it.
Posted By: patrick
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 07:28 PM
if you're looking at hooker comps, I'd go with summits instead. much cheaper, and made in the US vs. mexico.
if you want some that don't go under the steering, dougs D453 fer shure...
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/18/10 08:59 PM
Quote:
if you're looking at hooker comps, I'd go with summits instead. much cheaper, and made in the US vs. mexico.
if you want some that don't go under the steering, dougs D453 fer shure...
Wow! Have you used the Summits? I'm usually happy with their other products, but... that's almost half the Hooker price and a third of TTI.
That price would sure help get my car back on the road sooner, but I don't want to be fighting headers the whole way...
Posted By: patrick
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/19/10 12:27 AM
not on a B but on my M body. fit very well with no dinging, and there's slightly better spark plug wire clearance than my old hedmans....
Posted By: Crizila
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/19/10 01:55 AM
Quote:
Quote:
if you're looking at hooker comps, I'd go with summits instead. much cheaper, and made in the US vs. mexico.
if you want some that don't go under the steering, dougs D453 fer shure...
Wow! Have you used the Summits? I'm usually happy with their other products, but... that's almost half the Hooker price and a third of TTI.
That price would sure help get my car back on the road sooner, but I don't want to be fighting headers the whole way...
If your streeting it, you don't want headers that go under the centerlink. Don't ask me how I know 
Posted By: Kern Dog
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/19/10 05:15 AM
Some old school guys will crank up the T bars, add some KYB shocks and enjoy the dollars saved.
I have less patience than those guys, so I sell stuff at swap meets to buy TTI pipes.
Posted By: patrick
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/19/10 07:51 PM
my M sits 1" lower than stock in the front and I haven't bottomed out my pipes....I did partially collapse one tube of my old hedmans when I hit a large chunk of ice in the road in the winter
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/20/10 05:55 PM
So, in summary...
TTI is as good as it gets, until you go for your wallet. Doug's are a good alternative, ss they're a little cheaper, but fit well. Forget Hooker. Budget minded, get Summit. However, they go under steering, hang low and might get hit.
Sound about right?
Anyone got pix underneath of each brand. I'm mow thinking price may be the deciding factor... even though I don't want to be dragging headers.
Posted By: boydsdodge
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/20/10 11:04 PM
Are you saying you will buy a set of cheap headers and crush them while you drive around town and then need another set in a year or so, instead of buying the ones that fit right the first time for a lil more cash?
Cheaper is always more in the end.
Posted By: TJP
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/20/10 11:33 PM
So have all of the above mentioned header companies corrected the spark plug issue with #5 and 7 cylinders???? THey used to be a real PITA to get plug wires on those two cylinders without burning them. This was due to the routing of the # 5 pipe over the top of the plugs. I have not had this issue with any of the TTI's we've installed
Posted By: closer9
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/21/10 12:25 AM
I'm saying I'm willing to save $400 if it just means drive carefully. However if its a real problem no, thats why I'm asking, and pix would be great...
Posted By: patrick
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/21/10 01:38 PM
hooker comps, hedman, summit, blackjack, dynomax are all essentially the same routing, 3 tubes under the drag link. the summits vs. the hedmans had slightly better plug clearance. that could easily be production tolerances though. the #5 wire I had to replace the straight boot with a 90 degree one, the #7, I had to bend about 15 degrees.
the TTI's essentially copy the dougs D453 routing. I think the hooker super comps are very similar, also.
since you don't drive your car year round, you don't have to worry about large ice chunks in the middle of the road. I can't really see how anyone smashes tubes in on these things unless you hit something like that in the road...
my uncoated hedmans, while ugly, were still solid after 6 years of year round use. I just replaced with the summits, since I had the engine out anyway, and figured I'd only get another 2 years out of the hedmans....
Posted By: boydsdodge
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/21/10 03:32 PM
Quote:
I can't really see how anyone smashes tubes in on these things unless you hit something like that in the road...
Speed bumps are the number one killer of low tube headers, bad sidewalk ramps to parking lots etc.
Posted By: patrick
Re: What are the best SB headers for a B-body? - 06/21/10 04:35 PM
Quote:
Quote:
I can't really see how anyone smashes tubes in on these things unless you hit something like that in the road...
Speed bumps are the number one killer of low tube headers, bad sidewalk ramps to parking lots etc.
but the low point is basically in the same axis as the wheels, so as the tires go over the speed bump, the low hanging portion under the steering link goes up, too. I can't remember, I may have touched down my hedmans on a nasty speed bump, but it was the COLLECTORS that scraped, as they're behind the wheels a fair amount, and hand slightly lower than the tubes.