Hello all... I just spent some time on Summit Racing's website (summit.com), looking at various exhaust components.

My '79 has the 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust system, which I want to replace with headers, dual exhaust, and performance mufflers. Summit's price on a set of ceramic coated Dynomax headers is reasonable, at least when compared to the Hookers!

Speaking of which, Hooker makes a dual exhaust kit for my car which I would most likely use w/ the new headers. And Dynomax has a kit with 2 mufflers and the last few pieces of tailpipe. Sort of a "Dynomax-Hooker-Dynomax" combination.

So, it seems everything is available. I'm a little concerned about headers, though. Will they clear the power steering "ram" assembly under the car? Will they hang way down and significantly compromise my ground clearance? Any suggestions or advice as to brand preferences?

As an aside, for ANOTHER $75 or so, Flowmaster makes a "collector ball flange" to replace the 3-bolt header collector which supposedly helps restore some ground clearance. Although, this would require some cutting and welding.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer!

I used hedman headers on my 80 with a 350 and only had to pull one plug out of the drivers side to get them in. I had a garage bend the rest of the system but Mid America sells a couple different sets of dual exhaust for 79 vette. They have aluminized or stainless steel. $229 for the regular and $279 for stainless steel. They bolt right to your manifolds. And to answer your question if you get the right ones they do clear the steering cylinder.

Here's the feedback page from the guy I bought my ceramic-coated headers from. They're made by Flow-Tech (Holley). I paid $285 shipped to NJ & a few days later saw them listed as $499 list in a catalogue.

http://cgi2.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=8myhomework

He has a few differenet listings going on.
Bill
ps, they look great, just need the rest of the exhaust now to go along with them, under-car chambered is on the list.

I put a set of ceramic coated Blackjack headers on my 79 4speed waaaay back in '85. I don't know if they even make them any more but they were very easy to install. I don't think it's necessary to spend a whole lot on the headers, anything would perform better than the factory system. The rest of the pipes I got from Mid America, but I did have to do some fitting and welding. I will say having the headers sure has made the engine easier to work on. I also removed the smog pump. There is also a dual pipe hanger that mounts on the trans. mount that replaces the single hanger and makes for a cleaner looking job. Probably a swap meet item nowadays.

I also will replace my headers soon, because one of them cracked. I believe the ones on her are Flow-tech, not coated or painted, (yuk). With help from the forum etc. I am going with Dynomax ceramic from Summit. My 71 has powersteering and the exixting headers fit just fine, plenty of ground clearence. Terry

we've got chrome Hooker headers and they fit just fine. No problems installing them.