HEADERS fro 318 - differences?

[e-tek]

Guys - are there diferences to the headers from Summit, Dynomax, Hedman or Hooker? They all look a little different in shape. Anyone with experience know if any hit the steering or anything? Otherwise they are all the same thickness, overall length, painted, etc.

[Chryco Psycho]

there are Only 3 headers to use , TTi ,Hooker5115 & Dougs , TTi are the Best but cost the most , , only these 3 stay above the steering & do not drag on the ground

[e-tek]

thanks Chryco - great to have your expereince here!

[72hemi]

I just installed a set of Dynamax on my Challenger cuz I needed a cheap set and going around the exhaust is a royal pain, plus I had to raise my car in the front, but I probably should have anyways due to uneven tire wear and being maxed out on the adjustment. Next time definitely going with TTI headers even though they cost. And I have manual steering and a slapstick auto, which made install easier.

[tactransman]

Here is a thread with some pics. 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=48587.0

[72bluNblu]

There are differences in all of the header's listed, be sure to look at the spec sheet on Summit for clearance issues. As mentioned, only the Hooker super comps (5115), TTI ,and Doug's headers go above the steering, the rest go below and have pretty short ground clearance. Some will not fit certain types of steering, and others require a mini-starter to be installed. The Hooker super comps are supposedly good with either type of steering, and the original starter. Doug's can be used with either steering set up, but I believe require the mini-starter. Not sure about the TTI.

[e-tek]

Thanks blu - I was just looking at that and the Hooker post. BIG money difference - ya think they'd just route the tubes on the cheapies like the others to clear the linkgae/starter, etc...
Now, if I only want to spend 200, would one of Summits/Hookers/Dynomax cheapies be better than the others? (Summit stats don't say much).

[72bluNblu]

If you click on the "check to see if this fits my application" link at the bottom of the info page you get more info on what it fits. The summit headers and the flowtech 13100's won't fit power steering, the hooker 5901's won't fit a column shift, and hedman 78050's and dynomax blackjack's seem to fit everything. The hooker's have thicker 16 gauge tubes (vs 18 gauge) and the hedman's only have a 1/4" flange (vs 5/16"). I definitely wouldn't go with a 1/4" flange, it will likely warp. The hooker 5901's seem a little sturdier, and since they are all pretty low to the ground the thicker tubes might help slow down the dent factor, as long as you don't have a column shift.

[e-tek]

Thanks1  Guess I'll have to call Summit and ask for more details. Just thought someone here would have had experience with some of these.

[Chryco Psycho]

give it a month or 2 & you will wish you had spent a few more $$

[71chally416]

   If I had it to do over I would have got the TTI's.

[Chryco Psycho]

I do not recall anyone ever saying to me after a few months with cheap headers that they were glad they saved the $$ , after spark plug access issues , leaks , hitting the ground , cooked starters , burnt wire sets everyone I can remember wishes they had spent a few more $$s

[71chally416]

In my case I bought them before even deciding to go with the aluminum heads, so they didn't line up worth a sh*t with the ports. I ended up buying some laser cut W-2 type flanges and cutting the flanges from the headers and re-welding them. Of course it screwed up the ceramic coating. I should have waited and got the W-2 TTI headers that are more in line with what the motor needed. They line up great now, but for the time I spent I would have gladly spent the extra $$$ if I had it to do over.

As for a regular 340 or 318, you just can't get any better than the step headers they sell. They beat everything else in every dyno test I've seen and they have 3/8" head flanges and they fit right. It's a no brainer. You don't even need the expensive angle adapter for the oil filter that the cheapy headers need, including the rather expensive Hookers I have. You save a bunch of $$$ right there.

[72bluNblu]

I bought a set of ceramic coated hooker 5115's at a swap meet for 200 bucks, and about a week ago saw a painted set on craigslist for $100. The hooker's have been available a while, so you can find them used and in good condition if money is really that much of an issue. Then you get the best of both worlds, headers that actually fit (no oil adaptor or mini starter needed) and won't get destroyed, and a bank account not in the red. Only thing is it might take some time to find 'em.

[71chally416]

I needed the oil filter adaptor with my 5115's. At least with the Commando heads I did.