Stainless Shorty Headers

[TerrySmith]

I'm thinking of getting a set of these headers for my '88 ECSB 350 engine. I realize they are most likely Chinese made hence the cheap price, but they do look well made and supposed to be a drop in replacement for the stock manifolds. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...1-0e6c-4207-b08b-cc9492e60b0f&pf_rd_i=desktop

Also I plan to fab a Y-pipe with dual 2 1/2 cats into a flowmaster Y connector then into the 3" system already there. The future plan is to swap in a Vortec 350 long block with a TBI intake.

My question is has anyone had any experience with these Headers?

 

[GaryCCR]

I just was going to add my .02¢. Typically shorty headers will not free up much horsepower 8-10. They can be a pain to install, and also make it hard at access the spark plugs. They will also raise under-hood temps. They will likely not sounds very different.

I've not used the ones mentioned, but you'd probably be much happier with long tubes. I believe you can get long tubes for the 88-95 trucks for relatively cheap too.

Long tubes will raise under hood temps, make plugs hard to get to but the free up the most power and they sound way better.

I plan on getting long tubes for my truck soon. Good luck. Keep us updated.

 

[beardeddummy]

I have shorty's now and wish I had went long tubes didn't gain much power at all. I know someone who bought some similar for dodge and didn't feel it was worth the pain of installation much less the price

 

[Bondovw]

I have used those headers a few times. They work pretty good and mine lasted about 5 years .

 

[GMCTRUCKS]

I bought a set of mid length headers I still need to get around to putting them on I picked them up cheap there stainless.

 

[fuzzypuppy]

Have these on my truck now, gaskets are crap, you'd do well picking some new ones up, but the pipes are pretty nice, welds look good, flanges are true.
I wrapped mine with header wrap for for lower temps, I hear gab about the wrap rusting headers when they get wet so I went stainless, I leveled my truck and really the shorties (and wrap) stay pretty dry.
Above all I highly recommend, locking bolts or drilling and wire locking standard bolts , otherwise you'll be re-torquing bolts and replacing gaskets, at least yearly probably more.
Personally after 10k miles I like the setup, tired of stock manifolds cracking and wanted lower engine bay temps, wasn't looking for big HP gains so any extra was a plus, it was noticeable but not extreme. I have other mods that might have lent themselves to the equation.

 

[whiplash473]

I don't have experience with these headers specifically but why would you go with shorties if you're planning on doing all that exhaust work? Considering the future plan is, more or less, a complete new exhaust system, why not go for full length headers and get the horsepower gain and the better sound?

 

[trent]

I used JBA shorty headers on my '98 V6 which are also ceramic coated. While a bit more expensive, my truck runs cool but it still has stock exhaust so the sound hasn't changed. Seat of the pants dyno is negligible but a flowmaster or similar is in the future. Very easy to install on the V6

 

[kennythewelder]

I do not have these headers, but I have Summit shorty's. I like mine, but I also know before I installed them, what I was getting. The thing with stainless is, when I gets hot, it turns blue. I weld stainless, along with other metals for a living. I doesn't matter what you do to stainless, when it gets hot, it will turn blue. My headers, are black steel. I repainted them with VHT header paint. They have been on my truck for several years and they still look good. But I do agree with whiplash473, if you are going to all the trouble to do an exhaust swap, why not put long tube headers ? Also I recommend a good set of Felpro header gaskets, and you will need header bolts. One more thing to consider, stainless steel bolts, are a bad choice. Stainless steel tends to gall, so once the bolts are installed, then heated, and cooled over and over again, you may have trouble removing the SST bolts.

 

[1994chevymanual]

i used JBA and i am ahppy with them i changed my plugs and wires first too. Felt a little more acceleration not much..