Hey guys,

Before I ask my question....
As you guys may know: I’m a struggling 16 year old kid working at Kmart trying to make ends meet to fix this Vette, Kmart recently laid me off, and it’s going to be awhile before I get my hours back. At this point now it’s getting to where parts are about $300+ each. I fixed my Dad's boss' computer and for that he gave me a set of these bad boys: http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=98052&prmenbr=361 MY question is: Even if I did get $200USD (never used) for these I would still need $125 more to get my Hedmen ceramic coated headers. What is the performance difference between these 'shorties' and normal long pipe headers? I don't really have the extra $125 for the Headmens. What should I do?

Here is the link to the pictures my headers:
http://fattyslims.com/vette/pics/Restoration%20Part%202/engine_after1/compressed/headers/

Thanks,
-Louis

|UPDATED|12/14/2004 9:59:15 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Heck those are some nice headers. They certainly will flow better than you old ramshorn manifolds. They should work fine for your engine. If I had those and was on a tight budget I would stick with those. Are they ceramic coated?

Ya, these are ceramic coated. I was thinking of once the car was done sell those, or just buy the headers I want. I liek these though because they would fit nice int he compartment, tir it all together, and the flange is thick so I won't have a bolt falling out problem as much.

youre going to have a bolt problem regardless of the flange thickness if you dont get locking header bolts.

Ya, I know. But I was told taht the thicker the flange the less of a problem you will have, and to me it only makes sense.

Those are very nice headers, especially since they're ceramic coated. I have shorties on mine, but they're chrome. The only thing I would do differently is get the ceremic coating. They run cooler and don't change color.

Something to consider. If you run the shortys and later switch to long tubes you will need to have a new head pipe from the header to the mufflers made. The bolt up areas will be completely different.

Depending on how much it costs you to make a second head pipe you may be better off spending the money you would spend on a second head pipe and apply it towards the long tubes. Then you only need to build one system.

my two cents.

new77guy said: Ya, I know. But I was told taht the thicker the flange the less of a problem you will have, and to me it only makes sense.

true it might take two weeks to get loose and back out instead of one.. either way its unacceptable

Ya I know, all headers are going to eventually do it. But I have no idea what I'm goign to do. I'm building a custom exhaust anyhow. I don't just wanna not use my FREE headers. I am ona really tight budget for a year or so. Read this:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/raysur/index6.shtml He modified his shortys because he seen lots of room for improvment! Dude... I have no idea......

Louis don't chringe. But you may want to use stock manifolds until the budget allows you to do it the way you want, instead of doing it twice.