[ITSBACK]

I will be using 3" exhaust for my 67 GTO. I will be running a 400hp 400 for now with 670 heads which are D port in case anyone does not know. I will eventually be running a 500hp 428 with the same heads. I want ceramic coated headers. Is it worth the big money for Dougs headers or do I go with Jet Hots black jack or hookers, whichever they use which are considerably cheaper.
Thanks,
Bill

[carcrazy]

Most seem to prefer Dougs, however I have Hooker SC and they still look good after 4 years.

[68WarDog]

At the 500+ hp level. 2" Hooker S/C

[chuckies76ta]

Bill: Doug's make a really nice header.. I'm running Doug's D port headers on my wife's 68 Firebird. The engine dynoed at 590 hp.. The car ran 11.41 last summer with KRE heads.

Headers are 1.75 in D-ports, with 3" exhaust..

Charles

[Paul Westcott]

I have Doug's on my '67 Tempest; Nice looking headers, well built, and most importantly, they fit.

I had a horrible experience with Hooker Stupid Comps... the build quality was awful. The header to flange angle was so far off, they never would clear the frame. I beat one of the tubes to death with a BFH in a futile effort to make them fit. Huge waste of time and money and cause for a great deal of frustration. They're now hanging in my garage as a sort of weird metal sculpture.

[ITSBACK]

Wow both are good but one bad story is usually all I need to hear to make my mind up.
Thanks guys
Bill

[Overkillphil]

Stay away from Slackjack and any other "bargain" headers. The only cheap set I ever bought that fit well were Casslers @ 25 years ago and they aren't made anymore AFAIK.

If you coated a cheap set you'd have more in the coating cost than the tissue paper thin headers, which rust away from the inside rather quickly.

[chiphead]

I've had good luck with uncoated hooker SCs. Mine are about 6 years old and don't leak yet. Fitment is pretty good, clear everything but the stock brake block location. Good luck installing them (or most any header) however. My install took 2 days of the car 3 feet in the air.

[performerrpm]

back when i had d ports, i used the hedman 3 tube which fit the best, but i also used some summit/dynomax headers 4 tube, they fit my 66 very good and the flange was almost double the headmans, also the tubes was thicker gauge.


i dont know if headman makes a 4 tube other then the husler header and im not sure if they make it for d-ports, but i will say the headman husler roundports for 64-7 is the best fitting header ive ever put on with no hammer needed whatsoever, id assume if they make the d port version the fit would be as good. they make 2 versions the regular type that all 4 tubes are in between the frame rails and then the tye like i have which are over the frame and under the front crossmember you have to cut a small hole for them to exit the fenderwell, but in my opinion the ease of installation, along with room to work under, makes this well worth the effort, mine even clear the 4 speed stuff

[crustysarge]

Read my Doug's story in exhaust, never again will buy them. Pertronix owns them...

[ITSBACK]

I read 2 pages of it, will get the kids to bed and read the rest later, but I have to tell you, Dougs is looking very weak at this point, dont think I would buy them now. I did not realize there was an exhaust tech area when I started this, maybe it should be moved.
Sorry and thaks for all the input, keep it coming. Has anyone bought Dougs more recent and had the same problem?
Bill

[First Bird]

Post-Buyout Doug's here. Quality looks great. Haven't fired up yet but fit is amazing on my 68 Firebird. Clears PS, clutch linkage, everything.

[Overkillphil]

For every unhappy Dougs headers customer, there are hundreds of unhappy customers with other brands. No product has a 100% satisfaction rate, not even with lottery winners.

But Dougs sure seems to have the fewest whiners.

[F ROCK]

i have the hooker comps. uncoated, just black; i think they were the cheapest hookers.
i keep my car in the garage; no rust on them at all.
i've had the headers on there 5 years, the gaskets are just now starting to leak. they fit perfect but had to bend a wrench or two to get to some bolts. occasionaly have to check and re tighten.
yep car has to be at least three ft in the air.
these were said to be a little sturdier than the super comps.
felt the difference in my stock 1971 300hp ys400 powered GTO.
was good investment.

[T A 70]

For what it's worth, I only have F-bodies and a huge fan of the S/C's...no leaks, and I just can't believe how friggin easy they are to install. Have them jet coated, but if your engine isn't dialed in wait until the timing is set before installing or risk the coating to fail.

[blueghoast]

Dougs are good FWIW
What ever you go with test fit on a engine stand
Thats better than trying to do any mods in the car
Barrow a motor and stand to fit your headers.
You would think after 100 yrs they could make a
Better fitting header.

[tlwatkinson]

I recently bought a set of Doug's. Compared to the Hooker Super Comps they are alot heavier and the bolts look MUCH easier to get to. Bolting up the hooker headers is a major job. I had to use a combo of different bolts and modify wrenches to get to everything. I've done it several times and it doesn't get any easier. My Hookers were not coated. The paint didn't last long at all but that's normal.

[performerrpm]

might also add to my husler hedder comment, theyre also 3-4 piece headers with slip fit connections, and tabs to hold them together, the motor can stay bolted to the mounts to install them

[ITSBACK]

Dougs are looking better again. I really appreciate all the input.

[FritzCat]

I had to beat the HOLY CRAP out of a set of Doug's to make them fit, dimples everywhere plus notching a control arm. It may just be my particular car though.