Good Header? What Header?

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.