"New pics 4/10" Long tube Headers hitting on right side control arm.. normal?

[el camino ss 84]

All the no name or some flowtech longtube headers I've used all had to be dented a little near the passenger upper control arm which is normal unless you buy the higher end brands that are made for our cars.

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Not always, I bought high priced SS Hooker headers and had nothing but problems. That was after I sent the Flowmasters back that one side wouldn’t fit at all.

 

[mr84monte]

I was recently under the car and it's even worse from the bottom. My thought is that these are no G-body headers. If they fit, I'm willing to buy American Racing Headers or Dougs, but before spending that kind of money I want to make sure they fit.
Pictures taken from looking up at the headers from below.

 

[Injectedcutty]

You don't need them fancy, expensive brands unless it makes you feel better. I have run long tub hooker comp(PN#2451 I believe) and had to ding them a bit.
I switched to Hedman mid length last time around and they fit like a dream! PN#68600

 

[mr84monte]

You don't need them fancy, expensive brands unless it makes you feel better. I have run long tub hooker comp(PN#2451 I believe) and had to ding them a bit.
I switched to Hedman mid length last time around and they fit like a dream! PN#68600

It's not that I "want" to spend the money for a fancy brand, but if they are the best fitting ones without interference, I'm willing. The guy who sold me the engine and headers had them in his 86' Monte, so I had assumed that there were no clearance issues. Then of course after I had them coated and he installed them, he told me that it wasn't necessarily about the fit as much as it was about making HP. Anyone think that the headers rubbing on the control arms like that wold cause a shimmy at hwy speeds? Very noticeable when you do a quick pull.

 

[Injectedcutty]

It's not that I "want" to spend the money for a fancy brand, but if they are the best fitting ones without interference, I'm willing. The guy who sold me the engine and headers had them in his 86' Monte, so I had assumed that there were no clearance issues. Then of course after I had them coated and he installed them, he told me that it wasn't necessarily about the fit as much as it was about making HP. Anyone think that the headers rubbing on the control arms like that wold cause a shimmy at hwy speeds? Very noticeable when you do a quick pull.

Geez, that guy screwed you around. The difference between mid length and long tube headers isn't that huge of a difference in the HP dept....there are tons of hours and videos showing that. Actually, the typical difference made is in the upper RPMS where most people aren't even driving....only in drag or circle track apps, and still it may be like 7-10hp.

 

[mr84monte]

One thing that I just though of and maybe why the headers aren't a great fit. I have Vortec heads. Will normal G-body headers work on the Vortec heads? Thinking that possibly he matched them to the head and not the car??

 

[84GP455]

I agree with the others, a few dings won't matter much but I would be more worried about the lack of room for engine movement which could do more damage to the headers.

 

[83beater]

I was recently under the car and it's even worse from the bottom. My thought is that these are no G-body headers. If they fit, I'm willing to buy American Racing Headers or Dougs, but before spending that kind of money I want to make sure they fit.
Pictures taken from looking up at the headers from below.
View attachment 110781View attachment 110783View attachment 110784View attachment 110785

Yup that's

I was recently under the car and it's even worse from the bottom. My thought is that these are no G-body headers. If they fit, I'm willing to buy American Racing Headers or Dougs, but before spending that kind of money I want to make sure they fit.
Pictures taken from looking up at the headers from below.
View attachment 110781View attachment 110783View attachment 110784View attachment 110785

Yes you need to ding it there .I need mine up and marked where I needed to ding them

 

[Jame]

My 79 had hookers on it when i got it. The control arm is shaved at the same place as in your pics. Went with hedmans they clear everything. But did have to move the right side brake line up a few inches on the crossmember. But i did use the 1.5 dia ones