Who makes good LT 5.0 Headers????

**coralcoupe1993** · 09-09-2007, 02:12 PM

Who makes a quality long tube? Done with junk. I dont want to spend Kooks type money but somthing good.

**Viper_ed** · 09-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Just make sure you check to see if they clear that Lakewood Bellhousing. Finding headers that clear that moster is a PIA!!!

**Pure Stock** · 09-09-2007, 04:13 PM

Accufab, Bassani, and Kooks are some of the high end headers. BBK, Flowtech, MAC, and Hooker are somewhat less than the higher end stuff. Hooker headers IMO can offer more potential power out of the box than the BBK and MAC products because of the restrictions inherent in the design of the BBK's and MAC's. For example, the primary tubes are dimpled for ease of header bolt tightening and the ball and socket connection certainly does not help flow.

The exhaust side of an engine is similiar to a bell curve. If there is too much airflow the engine will make less power and if there is not enough airflow the engine will make less power. The terms used to describe these actions are over-scavenging and under-scavenging the combustion chamber respectively. During camshaft overlap the goal is to scavenge the bi-product of combustion left in the chamber and start the intake charge coming in. Over-scavenging will result in sucking the intake charge out of the exhaust during overlap and under-scavenging will result in residual gases being left in the chamber. The over/under scavenging will be manipulated by a number of factors. Some of them being exhaust valve diameter, exhaust port size, exhaust port shape, header primary diameter and length, collector diameter, length, and shape as well as camshaft duration and lift.

Trial and error i.e., track testing will prove which header(s) is right for your combination. As it is commonly said , each engine combination is different and each will respond to different modifications in a different manner.

**Pure Stock** · 09-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Viper_ed

Just make sure you check to see if they clear that Lakewood Bellhousing. Finding headers that clear that moster is a PIA!!!

Nothing a simple 4" grinder can't fix.

**gmkillr** · 09-09-2007, 07:01 PM

Im pretty happy w/ my BBK's, I know there definately more power on the table but their a nice comprimise between price & quality.

**scott5** · 09-10-2007, 07:52 AM

i love the macs on my car

**mlowry1260** · 09-10-2007, 10:29 AM

Mac's, okay at first but, due to welded collector & independent collector flanges you will cause upon late installs when these warp from heat cycling. Bolt alignment can be a challenge to say the least.

BBK's are a good street header & fit decently & have a heavy one-piece flange at the head to prevent the MAC fiasco. Beware that the ball & socket arrangement is restricted from the factory. They're sometimes less than 2-1/4" ID & need to be trimmed for full unrestricted flow in a 2-1/2" exhaust.

Hookers will make better power due to a better collector & design.

I run a Bassani 1-5/8 to 1-3/4 step header. They have individual pipes/flanges but, a removable collector. Fit & finish is good but, installation can require a second set of hands for a couple of bolts. These have a true race style collector and should make as much or more power than the hookers. Not cheap when purchased new.

For a street oriented car I'd probably recommend the BBK's as the best quality & fit. If you can afford the $ get the coated headers. They'll give you lower under hood temperatures.