Best affordable headers on a 360?

[DMZ73]

 
Just gathering as much info as possible before making a decision.
I have a 1972 360 motor that needs some headers. I have seen some beautiful headers out there by every manufacture. I have searched the site, and have read some of the feedback.
What are the best headers for those of us with a budget?
Keep in mind that I probably don't want to struggle with relocating this and that- I already struggle...
I like the ceramic coated headers, but I probably can't afford the finish.
Your thoughts and experience would be helpful.
Thanks!
Dan

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I've had about three sets of headers in my car so far. All swapped out for damage or what have you. I've had Flowtech ceramic coated headers, summit headers and hooker headers. From what i've experienced and see there isn't much difference between them. My summits are no better than the flowtechs (except the coating). However, unless you go with a Doug's or TTI header ($$$), they all "suck". Thin flanges, thin tubing, LOW hanging and they make the 5/7 spark plugs interesting to get to.

Needless to say, I wont be buying another set of headers that are not Doug's or TTIs. I WILL spend the money and get my ground clearance and a quality header. Now while on that same topic, I wouldn't say I'd pay any more for a "cheap" header than I did for the Summits. Cheapest you can probably get, and "just as good as the other low end headers" in my opinion.

[Chryco Psycho]

As Mike said there are only 3 decent headers TTi Dougs & Hooker 5115 super comps all others go below the center link & kill ground clearance , burn wires , & are poorly made , ultimatly you will be disappointed with any but the 3 I listed

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Unfortunately, Doug's aren't that much cheaper than TTI's. My only advice here, is go with ceramic coating in whatever you buy. PLEASE!! If you drive on the Hiway in hot climates, you will get a hot foot, and heat blazing thru your firewall with plane uncoated headers.   


  Mike

[quagmire]

I have the Dynomax ceramic coated cheapo headers on my small block.  As I've said before they fit great, I have never even come close to scraping them, I didn't have to dent any tubes, and the coating has held up from a lot of abuse from me wrenching on it so far.  The flanges seal perfectly, and I can and have changed a full size starter without having to move them, obviously ministarters are cake.  For me to get to the point where I could scrape them I'd probably hit my deep trans pan first.  They are currently as low as my oil pan.  I paid under $300 for the set, and wouldn't even consider buying another kind for more money seeing as I have had zero problems with these. 

[Chryco Psycho]

do they go under or above the steering Quagmire ?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Thats what it sounds like, because with my below the link headers, i have about 2" ground clearance. Now i'm a little lower than most, but i've smacked mine tons of times, driving like i don't want to too...

[quagmire]

Well, the center link passes through the drivers side but the pipes still don't hang that low compared to the horror stories I've read on here about some of the others.  Like I said, if I scrape headers now, I'm tearing open my new oil pan too. 

[shadango]

Quagmire, do you have pictures that illustrate what you are saying?

I am shopping for headers....

[BarracudaDave]

Yes,     

Don't mean to be rude, but pictures would certainly help!

[quagmire]

Fair enough! I totally forgot about them.  It's hard to gauge in the pics, but the tubes are only an inch or two below the K-member and deep sump pan.  I also have my front end dropped quite a bit.  I have never scraped them, and I have been driving this car about 350 miles a week lately.

[BarracudaDave]

Hey, thanks quag.  I like the pictures, nice looking nest of snakes there!

I believe you installed these headers yourself?  Did you put the car on a lift or did you do them using floor stands?  Do you remember how high off the floor you had to raise the car? 

[quagmire]

I did install these myself.  I jacked the car as high as I could with normal height jackstands, I didn't need the tall truck ones.  Passenger side was cake, driver side requires column removal and of course the center link.  I also had both motor mount through bolts removed and jacked the engine up too.  All in all, very painless shockingly!

[BarracudaDave]