Header Suggestions - Hooker or Hedman

[67TXStang]

I'm considering purchasing either the Hedman Elite (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-88308/) or Hooker Competition (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOK-6901-1HKR/) headers for my Mustang.  I believe both will work on my 289 with the toploader and stock equalizer bar setup.  Has anyone used either of these or have an opinion on which is better?

[monkeystash]

The Hedmans are a heavier gauge steel with thicker flanges.  However, their oval tubes always puzzled me, and I wonder how the square exhaust port of a SBF lines up?  I'm glad to see you are getting the coated ones, as buying non-coated headers was a lesson learned for me.

[67TXStang]

I noticed a note stating the tubes were oval shapped.  Looking at the picture closer it does seem they are oval at the flange.  It would not seem this work work well with exhaust port on the head.  This might be enough to sway me to the Hooker headers.  Other opinions still welcome!

[jonward786]

um the term "oval" is misused.  this is what the header ports look like. 

[monkeystash]

Those are not the same headers.  Note the oval shape difference at the flange, while your pic is more rectangular.  Even the flange is cut differently.  Your pic is from the Hedman website which might be more accurate than Summit's sometimes generic picture.  I'd give Hedman a call to verify for sure. 

[guruatbol]

I have the Headman's on the 67.  I like the way they sound.

Other than sound, I don't see a difference between them and my Headers by doug.  The 67's are not coated though.  I wish I had spent the extra cash.

Mel

[jonward786]

summit posts the wrong picture all the time...all im saying is i ordered the exact headers the OP linked from summit and they are the ones in the picture that i posted, they look nothing like the summit pic.  i just looked through my summit order history and the part number is 88308.  the port is by no means "oval" trust me.  

whoever was in charge of obtaining pic and info at summit for these headers clearly fails and should be slapped 

[blue65coupe]

John, your pic is accurate.  I've got the Hedman Elites and love 'em.  The one thing I will warn you about is the low clearance.  I like the look but you will lose an inch of ground clearance.  If you're sitting in a car in front of me and look in your rearview mirror, you can see the headers.  I like it though.  The fit is good and they are easily removed with the front of the car jacked up. 

[monkeystash]

whoever was in charge of obtaining pic and info at summit for these headers clearly fails and should be slapped 

Agreed completely.

[68EFIvert]

I have Headman LT headers like you are looking at but coated them locally after O2 bungs were welded in.  If I were to do it again I would have gone with shorty headers because of ground clearance issues.  I hate to scrape my headers and it happens far too often.  It would limit my ability to go into some parking garages.  It is frustrating enough that I have considered swapping out to some JBA headers.  My situation may be worse than most because I have lowering motor mounts and a fairly low stance.

[jonward786]

very true the elites do swing quite low.  its kinda a love hate thing for me.  i love being able to see my headers when im standing at the side and front of my car, but i hate having to take it sideways over larger speedbumps.

other than that the elites are nice headers.  in the future i may get shorties to allow me to lower the car even more cause i like a low wide stance :)

[B67FSTB]

When choosing headers , you have to know if they are suitable for automatics or shift .
Using the Z-Bar or cable operated .Ask me or CMAYNA how we know.

[Fast68back]

I totally read this subject line wrong, I was about to send a name and phone number and attach a photo......... 

[68EFIvert]

You can still post photos and numbers..........

[67TXStang]

There are a number of people here with the Hedman headers.  Does anyone have the Hooker Comp (not Super Comp) headers?  My car is not very low to the ground so ground clearance is not much of an issue but I would rather have them tuck up a little better. 

To those who have the Hedman... any issue with the header around the z-bar?

[johnpro]

Does anyone have the Hooker Comp (not Super Comp) headers? 

I have the Hooker Comps (not Super Comp) on my '69.  It has a stroked 351w in in, and that puts the headers above the frame rails.  The car is lowered an inch all the way around and I have never hit a header on anything.

I'm using a hydraulic clutch, though, so can't tell you how it will work with a z bar.

[PJ Moran]

You limited us to one of two options.  But I'll throw this in:

My FPA headers are not low at all and do fit quite well, but are expensive.

After having to drop my tranny twice, if I were to do it over I'd go with shorties.  Much easier to install.  Bolt access is better.  Ground clearance (and most everything else clearance) is better.  I'd trade 10 top end horsepower for those benefits any day.

[blown66]

If you went with shortys would there be any HP lose compaired to a long tube header.Thanks

[apollard]

If you went with shortys would there be any HP lose compaired to a long tube header.Thanks

That depends. shortys give up some upper end HP, but most of the comps I've seen show little or no loss down low.

Now, IF the long tube headers are tuned, the loss down low would be greater. But, no off the shelf header is really tuned to that level.

[Mustang Mike]

I noticed a note stating the tubes were oval shapped.  Looking at the picture closer it does seem they are oval at the flange.  It would not seem this work work well with exhaust port on the head.  This might be enough to sway me to the Hooker headers.  Other opinions still welcome!

Contrary to popular belief, it would really matter all that much. Most if not all the exhaust flow travels right down the center of the port. Any little gasket or weld around the edges wont hinder your flow either.

[SAC69]

I have the Hooker Comp's (not Super Comp's) and they really sit up high but the car is lowered; with a 351w (auto) I've hit the speed bumps at the local supermarket lot a few times if going too fast on the downward part of the hump.  Your 289 will sit lower that my W.   

However, a large issue I don't see addressed is whether you have p/s or not.  My Hooker's do not need the "hated" drop bracket but I'm not sure if it's due to the higher deck or the style of header.

[67TXStang]

I don't have power steering.  The only concern I have is the Z-bar. 

Of these two, I've decided the Hooker header would be the best.  Several people made comments about using a shorty style header.  I've been looking at those lately.