Good Header? What Header?

-

greyghost340

GreyGhost 340
Joined
Dec 5, 2014
Messages
307
Reaction score
89
Location
New Balimore MI
I am putting together a 1969 340 and I want a good easy to change spark plugs Header, along with a 1-7/8 primary tube. The motor will be going into a 1973 Dodge Dart Sport. I had a set of Hooker Headers Super Comp Header #5116 I would love to find another set of these headers. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Dougs worked great for me. Easy to install, and perfect for changing plugs even on #5 and #7 cylinders. Not 1 7/8, though. I shot a quick video...
 
Last edited:
1 7/8 maybe narrowed down to Hedman or Supercomp race. Thats a big tube for an LA.

Holley says these fit 64, yeah right.....! I'de love to have Holley pay return shipping for these when someone buys them and finds they don't fit a 64-66 A-chassis. Look at Hedman race, they have 2 @ 1 7/8 but they are >$700

HOOKER SUPER COMPETITION FULL LENGTH HEADER - CERAMIC COATED
64-69 Barracuda, 67-79 Dart/Demon/Swinger/Duster /Valiant/Diplomat/Volare (A & F Bodies): 318-360 Tube 1.625" O.D. x 35", Collector Size 3" O.D., Collector Length 10", Port Shape: Same As Port

PART# 5116-1HKR
 
I am putting together a 1969 340 and I want a good easy to change spark plugs Header, along with a 1-7/8 primary tube. The motor will be going into a 1973 Dodge Dart Sport. I had a set of Hooker Headers Super Comp Header #5116 I would love to find another set of these headers. Any help would be appreciated.
Remember to identify your car with or without power steering
 
Last edited:
If you have power steering your choices are limited. When I pick a header, horsepower is number ONE and spark plug accessibility is second. Ease of installation is last on the list. Headers that make horsepower have very few compromises.

That said, if you have manual steering you have literally two choices in Hookers, which have been the best power headers I’ve tested. One has 1.750 tubes and you can still buy them, but for me, they are on the small side for a decent 340, let alone a stroker.

That’s Hooker’s 5204 header. It has weld on collectors but I cut them off, shorten the tubes 2-3 inches IIRC (I can look when I get home and let you know for sure) and use a slip on collector. Then I split the flanges so each header is 4 pieces: the two end single primary tubes, the center tubes that are paired up and the collector. Much easier to install and if you can find a 1.750x3.5 inch collector I’d use that if you are running mufflers.

If you want 1.875 tubes you’ll be hard pressed to find the Hooker’s because they don’t make them any more. You see them once in awhile but they are now pretty rare.

That’s the Hooker 5303 header. It takes a bit of work to get them on. The number 7 and 8 tubes go between the torsion bar and the body. You have to move the combination valve to miss a tube on the drivers side. They are a royal beeeeeeotch to install, even with the slip on collectors. But, they make power. And once on, they fit and fit well. They also really need a 3.5 inch collector.

Both sets have excellent plug access and both make power. I’m going to the dyno in late June or early July and I’ll be testing both sets on my 340. I already know the 5303’s will make more power but the nattering nabobs and ne’er do well wisenheimers want me to post up some paper work. So I will.

As for other brands...the Hedman race headers are damn nice and make power, but IIRC you need to cut a hole in the fender on each side for the back tube to fit. I won’t do that to the car I own now.

I have never seen a set of TTI’s with a collector worth a crap. If you can get some TTI’s in what you can, cut the collectors off and use something better.

EDIT: as Pishta pointed out above, headers that make horsepower cost money. 800 bucks is cheap for a header that makes horsepower. 500 dollar headers are power losers.
 
If you have power steering your choices are limited. When I pick a header, horsepower is number ONE and spark plug accessibility is second. Ease of installation is last on the list. Headers that make horsepower have very few compromises.

That said, if you have manual steering you have literally two choices in Hookers, which have been the best power headers I’ve tested. One has 1.750 tubes and you can still buy them, but for me, they are on the small side for a decent 340, let alone a stroker.

That’s Hooker’s 5204 header. It has weld on collectors but I cut them off, shorten the tubes 2-3 inches IIRC (I can look when I get home and let you know for sure) and use a slip on collector. Then I split the flanges so each header is 4 pieces: the two end single primary tubes, the center tubes that are paired up and the collector. Much easier to install and if you can find a 1.750x3.5 inch collector I’d use that if you are running mufflers.

If you want 1.875 tubes you’ll be hard pressed to find the Hooker’s because they don’t make them any more. You see them once in awhile but they are now pretty rare.

That’s the Hooker 5303 header. It takes a bit of work to get them on. The number 7 and 8 tubes go between the torsion bar and the body. You have to move the combination valve to miss a tube on the drivers side. They are a royal beeeeeeotch to install, even with the slip on collectors. But, they make power. And once on, they fit and fit well. They also really need a 3.5 inch collector.

Both sets have excellent plug access and both make power. I’m going to the dyno in late June or early July and I’ll be testing both sets on my 340. I already know the 5303’s will make more power but the nattering nabobs and ne’er do well wisenheimers want me to post up some paper work. So I will.

As for other brands...the Hedman race headers are damn nice and make power, but IIRC you need to cut a hole in the fender on each side for the back tube to fit. I won’t do that to the car I own now.

I have never seen a set of TTI’s with a collector worth a crap. If you can get some TTI’s in what you can, cut the collectors off and use something better.

EDIT: as Pishta pointed out above, headers that make horsepower cost money. 800 bucks is cheap for a header that makes horsepower. 500 dollar headers are power losers.
I moved out to my 20 acre farm because of those nabob's and ne'er do well wisenheimers AND their cousins piss and moan.
 
I run Hooker Comps on my 72 Duster 340, manual brakes & steering. Plugs are not horrible to change.
 
What part number are they?

These. Don't know the part # off hand. Got them with the car when I bought back in 2011...
20140914_121644_resized.jpg
 
If you have power steering your choices are limited. When I pick a header, horsepower is number ONE and spark plug accessibility is second. Ease of installation is last on the list. Headers that make horsepower have very few compromises.

That said, if you have manual steering you have literally two choices in Hookers, which have been the best power headers I’ve tested. One has 1.750 tubes and you can still buy them, but for me, they are on the small side for a decent 340, let alone a stroker.

That’s Hooker’s 5204 header. It has weld on collectors but I cut them off, shorten the tubes 2-3 inches IIRC (I can look when I get home and let you know for sure) and use a slip on collector. Then I split the flanges so each header is 4 pieces: the two end single primary tubes, the center tubes that are paired up and the collector. Much easier to install and if you can find a 1.750x3.5 inch collector I’d use that if you are running mufflers.

If you want 1.875 tubes you’ll be hard pressed to find the Hooker’s because they don’t make them any more. You see them once in awhile but they are now pretty rare.

That’s the Hooker 5303 header. It takes a bit of work to get them on. The number 7 and 8 tubes go between the torsion bar and the body. You have to move the combination valve to miss a tube on the drivers side. They are a royal beeeeeeotch to install, even with the slip on collectors. But, they make power. And once on, they fit and fit well. They also really need a 3.5 inch collector.

Both sets have excellent plug access and both make power. I’m going to the dyno in late June or early July and I’ll be testing both sets on my 340. I already know the 5303’s will make more power but the nattering nabobs and ne’er do well wisenheimers want me to post up some paper work. So I will.

As for other brands...the Hedman race headers are damn nice and make power, but IIRC you need to cut a hole in the fender on each side for the back tube to fit. I won’t do that to the car I own now.

I have never seen a set of TTI’s with a collector worth a crap. If you can get some TTI’s in what you can, cut the collectors off and use something better.

EDIT: as Pishta pointed out above, headers that make horsepower cost money. 800 bucks is cheap for a header that makes horsepower. 500 dollar headers are power losers.
...excuse my ignorance but what are you referring to when you said combination valve?
 
@greyghost340 Are you sure your in need of a 1-7/8 tube header? Juuuuuuuust checkin! That is a big tube for big power.

As mentioned by YR, used Hookers or Hedman’s.
TTI has stepped 1-3/4 - 1-7/8. *I Think* that is as large as they get from TTI for the standard exhaust port head. This may be a compromise?

TTI's or Dougs!!
TTI is the closest to what he requested @ 1-7/8 tube size. Does the Dougs headers come in 1-7/8 tube size?
I don’t think they do. But ya never know....

Dougs worked great for me. Easy to install, and perfect for changing plugs even on #5 and #7 cylinders. I shot a quick video...


I run Hooker Comps on my 72 Duster 340, manual brakes & steering. Plugs are not horrible to change.

These. Don't know the part # off hand. Got them with the car when I bought back in 2011...
View attachment 1715536669

Everybody above, those headers are weeny looser headers on power making next to a 1-7/8 race header he is looking for.

Hooker 5204HKR Hooker Super Competition Long tube Headers - Painted

i have this set on a 73 duster , fit great , easy to change plugs and the starter can be changed with them on not for power steering /

Nice header. A size smaller than the OP is looking for. But that’s a good header.
 
[QUOTE="rumblefish360, post:
Everybody above, those headers are weeny looser headers
.[/QUOTE]

He said weeny...heh heh...heh heh
34690d6c32ec053bbfac983e3d4d41a2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Good information, Thanks everyone, any additional information is appreciated. I am running manual steering and brakes on my Dart.

Also the Hooker Super Comps (#5116) were two (2) piece Headers, first tube slid into the Header on both sides.
 
-
Back
Top