Headers??? Too many choices

[nlauffer]

I am looking for a set of headers. I want ceramic coated and maybe mid length or shorty. While looking through summit racing I switched to a Chevelle application. This allowed more options. I noticed a few brands I'm curious about.
Flowtech
Herman Tork step
Patriot Clipster
These are what I am interested in buying. What ideas or opinions do you have about these headers.
Side note:  I am not after high horsepower just torque.

[Fairlane514]

I have the Hedman ceramic shorties. They fit great and have the ball and socket collector for a good seal and adjustment.

[scorpion]

I got Headman full length headers with the ball and socket.  I picked the set I did because they have the 3/8-inch head flange, were ceramic coated, and had the ball and socket collector flange.  I was tired of replacing the collector gaskets.  No more.

[nlauffer]

I am definitely wanting ball and socket.  The headers I was looking at were all 5/16 flange and some 1/4 flange.  Very few were 3/8.  Has this changed, because a few years ago I swear there were more 3/8 flanges in my price range. 

Which Hedman shorties did you get.  If you don't mind me asking what was the price?

The Patriot Clipster intrigued me the most.  The price was good, ceramic coated, 5/16 flange, 18 ga ( I think), don't remember if it was ball and socket.  I don't remember ever hearing anything about this brand before.

Hedman have been around forever and make inexpensive to full on race headers.  Although, Summit brand was better on price and on a couple sets had thicker metal. 

The Tork Step I have heard of before, but I don't remember where.  It claims to make more torque than high end horsepower, which is exactly what I want.  They were priced decent.  But I'm not sure how a shorty style header can make more torque.  I wonder if it is purely a marketing deal.

Also, not as important as my other preferences, but somewhat important is the fact that I don't want a set of headers that drop below the frame and can be seen when looking at the truck.  This is why I thought 3/4 length or shorty.

[74 C-10 Shorty]

Been using Hedman for a lot of years on different type vehicles, and all have had a perfect fit and tucked up not hanging down on the road.

[KWKENUF]

If you are after torque you really need to go full length,  1 5/8" primaries.

[nlauffer]

Thats the deal.  Full length 1 5/8 primaries are what I have heard and read is the torque buildier.  I am curious why they say a shorty will build torque.  They claim it is due to design of primaries.  I am going to call them and find out, but it has been a busy morning.  Budget time again.

[nlauffer]

So I checked with Hedman.  The Tork step for pickups are full length.  They start with 1 1/2 primaries and weld into 1 5/8 primaries.  They also look to have ball and socket.  These just moved up the list, but Hedman's website has them for over $600 coated.

[nlauffer]

Oh yeah, here is the info from Hedman's website.


These HTC coated, standard-duty headers use TORK-STEP stepped tube technology to provide performance superior to any standard tube header design.
 
Originally designed for racing applications, Hedman is the first manufacturer to mass produce this technology for the street.
 

All Hedman street Hedders are MADE IN THE USA, and are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects! Our HTC coating is covered for a full 5 years.
 

IMPORTANT!: Installing coated headers on an engine during the break-in period will cause discoloration. We recommend the use of factory manifolds, or an old set of headers, during the engine break-in period.
 

[KWKENUF]

Shorty might build more torque than manifolds,  but not full length headers. 

What is your engine specs?  Are you budgeting for a new exhaust system too?  Your current system will need to be altered to hook up to the headers.  Just making sure you are thinking of everything. 

I personally have been looking at Hedman Elite's.  1 5/8 primaries,  ball and socket,  3/8 flange,  thermal coated,  14-gauge tubing,  about $340 at summit.  just my .02

[Canadian 4X4]

why would you ever need 14 ga tubing on headers??

[74 C-10 Shorty]

Stronger and quieter..

[rich weyand]

That's quieter in terms of "header slap", where the exhaust gases hit the tubes where they bend.  Sounds like an exhaust leak or a noisy lifter.

[nlauffer]

I just dropped my block off at the machine shop.  It will end up .040 over with stock style dish pistons, pro comp 64cc heads with 190cc intake runners, lunati 268 (I think ) cam, dual plane manifold, and a 625 road demon.  I thought about just using stock manifolds, really.  I am changing the exhaust on my pickup.  It has dual 2.25" through glasspacks to the rear bumper.  I want 2.5" exit in front of rear wheels or single side exit in front of passenger wheel with flowmaster 40 series.  I already have the mufflers.

[79brent]

Wouldn't a single 3" or 3.5" be best for torque? If you go duals you oughta run an X or an H pipe. Someone said on here the H is the best for torque, but I always thought the X was better for torque?