Hedman header issue.

[TheJDMan]

I installed a new set of Hedman headers on "Dust Off" today and immediately determined there is a problem. The right header sets exactly where I want it to but the left header sets about 1.5" lower. I purchased them from Summit so I called their tech support to ask if this was normal. He did not know and referred me to Hedman tech support. The question I ask was if this difference from side to side was normal. The Hedman tech told me it was normal and to just place a floor jack under the collector and bend it into positon. This answer caught me off guard since I was expecting something different.

My question here is can I just use a floor jack to raise the low collector into position? The last thing I want to do is damage a new set of headers and not be able to return them. If I do return them how do I know the next set I order won't have a similar fit issue? Opinions?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/header01-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Ron.in.SoCal]

F' that. First of all that answer from a vendor blows (nice QC/Customer Support Hedman!). Second, you break 'em you're stuck with them. Return them and get headers that fit better.

Just my .02 Steve...

[BuzzKillian]

Agreed... I hate sending stuff back, but the fit on those is horrible. And the distance you would have to bend that could possibly crack a weld or the coating.

now ya got .04 LOL

[TheJDMan]

Thanks for the .04 Guys!!!,
Summit emailed me a UPS return label, they are going back tomorrow. You have to give a thumbs up to Summit's return policy! So I ordered the cheapest set of Hookers I could find to keep me going. Long term I want to install a set of side pipe headers but those will need to be custom made.

This is a pic of a set of Hooker first gen Camaro side pipe headers which are no longer available from Hooker unless I can convence someone there to build me a set. Anyone have a contact at Hooker, they probably still have the jig to build these. The other option will be to have Stainless Works build me a set.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/02/68camarosidepipesJPG-1.jpg

[SR71]

I was in the same position a few weeks back. my car is every bit as low as yours, has the same bell and I was sick of constantly making that uncool scraping sound. since my engine is nothing special, I went with a set of cheapo patriot shorties (yes I finally found a set that would clear the z-bar). that allowed me to tuck my exhausts up inside the subframe. after a trim to the bell lip nothing hangs below my sub now......life is good. :)

[Rod]

the hooker s might fit just like the hedmans since hooker, hedman and flowtech are all the same company, most cheap headers hang one lower than the other

[TheJDMan]

the hooker s might fit just like the hedmans since hooker, hedman and flowtech are all the same company, most cheap headers hang one lower than the other

Well you are absolutely correct! The cheapo painted Hookers were delivered today and they fit the same as the Hedmans did. The big difference is that the price on these is low enough that I will not feel bad about cutting and welding them to make them fit the way I want.

[Rod]

you could use a mid length header with no noticable horsepower loss, and that would allow the pipe to be tucked up tighter

[TheJDMan]

I have been considering that option.

[MrQuick]

The Dynatechs fit real nice. Price is good too. I'll never use Hookers or Hedmans again.

[TheJDMan]

Well I decided the Hookers are going back on Mon. I have a set of Dynatechs ordered which should be here late in the week. I sure hope they fit better than the Hedman and Hookers. If not I'm going to go with the mid-length style. It has been at least 35 years since I purchased a set of headers and I can tell you I have not been impressed with what I have seen so far.

SR71,
Do you have a pic of how much you removed from your clutch housing?

[Randy67]

Hookers quality seems to be going downhill. On Nasty Z28, someone had 3 sets of the same part number (can't remember it offhand), a new one, a few year old one and a 12 year old one. He said you could tell the jigs were going bad as the headers got worse the newer they were (oldest fit best). Keep sending back the ones that don't fit and maybe we can get them to start listening (not likely but worth a shot).