Any recommendations for some good quality but inexpensive headers for a 69 and where I can pick them up at for the best price?

I'm using 6X heads with the 455. I've read some of these ads regarding having to possibly drill or modify the heads to mount these aftermarket headers. What exactly are they referring to?

Thanks,
-Leo

I purchased a set of headers from Performance Years for $99. They fit like a glove on my 68 4-speed. I think Spotts Performance sells them also.

What they may refer to is that some heads do not have a boss and are missing one mounting hole at the outside hole for the header application to bolt to. There are adaptors for this and other ways around it. BUT, your 6X heads will work just fine... you have all the mounting holes.

So you can use any set of D port headers you can find for the 1st gen application. I use Hooker Super Comps, but they are not inexpensive!

Good luck - Brett! - 67 Drop Top 455!

I too will be running a set of headers on a pair of 6X-4 head. I picked up a set of used Hedman 3-pipe headers from another '69 a while back.

Now I am questioning if they are gonna fit ok.

Is there really a difference in the round port/"D" port headers? Should I worry?

The real difference is that round port headers won't bolt up to "D" port heads. Other than that - and the tube sizes - there's not much difference in how they look.

Most of the headers available are the D port, (for the shape of the exhaust port where the headers mate to the head) which is what most of the Pontiac heads are...

The round exhaust port heads are usually the high end heads or specialty heads like Edelbrock Aluminum heads etc... so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

I would go with a 4-tube style header on your engine, they are better tuned exhaust system. I have used Heddman Hedders a couple different times & liked the fit. Find out if the headers from PY are 4-tube, if they are buy them.

Steve

I checked with PY for those 4-tube 67-69 FB Headers but they are discontinued. $99 is a steal for a new set. Oh wells. I found a set of Heddmans on Jegs.com for $150. That's the best price I found so far. I may go with those.

How do the regular Heddman Hedders compare to say Hooker Super Comps? Just curious.

Thanks for the replies.

Do not buy the Hedman headers, they are of the 3 tube design and not the best for scavenging of the exhaust gases. The Hooker Super Comps. are a little more (from Jegs) but are worth it. I just pulled the Headman's off and put on the Hookers(4 tube) and just the sound sold me. I also used the copper gaskets and they are working great,no leaks. I think I gained some low end and top end seems smoother. Just my two cents worth.

Check out Dynomax. I believe they were the makers of the headers PY was selling. I got mine new in the box off e-bay for about $50. They are boxed in a "Black Jack Headers" box. I believe I saw somewhere where they were made my Dynomax....I think.....

They fit good and are a 4 tube design.

The Black Jack Headers are hard to find since they've been discontinued.

I picked up a brand new set of Hooker Competition headers for $170. They are the 1 5/8" primaries with 3" collector. I'm kind of wondering if the Super Comps which are a lot more expensive would be worth the extra money. They are 1 3/4", 3" collector, 2" longer than the Comps. Anybody know how much a difference one header would make over the other considering this mild street 455? Thanks.

The size of the primary tubes actually will impact the power range of the motor, as will the length of the collector. The 1 3/4 tubes will have a slightly higher torque range than the 1 5/8 tubes. I think Hi Perf Pont did an article on this last year. I went with the Hooker comp headers, they are 16 gauge vs 18 for the hedman. Although the hooker headers will hang a little lower than hedman.

Numbers or percentage wise, what do you think is the difference in performance between the Hooker Comp and Super Comp headers?

A few questions...

1) Are ceramic coated headers really worth that much difference in price?

2) Can you zinc plate headers, or will it burn off? I really don't care if it discolors, as long as it doesn't burn off and turn into rust.

3) Will I really notice the difference between 3-pipe Hedman headers and 4-pipe Hooker headers in performance and sounds for a strickly street 400 engine?

Thanks,
Thomas

I think that the current hedman headers are 4 tube. If you ever have had to repaint a set of headers, you would appreciate the ceramic coating. I will have mine done when I get the energy to take them off. SOmeone that has used both hooker headers will need to speak to the differences, don't think it would be much on a street car.

Zippy, the Heddman Hedders I used in the past were 4-tube design, you need to ask the seller what design they are before buying. I agree that the 3-tube design is not desireable.

Steve

Yeah I mistakenly bought 3-tube headers, so I either have to live with it, or buy new ones.

I think for now I may just live with the three tube headers, and get 4 tube later.

But, if I keep the three tube, do you think that I could zinc/tin plate them as a valid way to keep rust off of them?

68Zippy and traschu (and anyone else who wants to pipe in):

What is the difference in sound for 3 tube vs. 4 tube headers? Is one louder than the other, or is it something else?

Thanks.

FirebirdMike,

I wish I could tell you, but I don't have my engine back in the car yet; I'm still rebuilding it.

Mike - Typically it will be a little deeper throatier shound... more of a finely tuned sound if you would. And then it will depend on the mufflers you have.

Thomas - I had my Super comps Ceramic coated and it was worth every cent (even though I got a killer deal) I would have paid double. They still look like I just installed them! And they were looking tired before! Under hood temps seem to be better now too! I'd check with all the local plating places and see what you can get done?

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

The four tube pipes give the car a balanced sound vs the three tubes. This makes sense if you figure the two center ports no longer share the same pipe, nor are they working against each other. Zip

So it'll sound like a Harley! lol