Custom Headers

[Silver Bullet]

Gents,
Has anyone had custom headers made for their Cobra in the St. Louis area. The ones on my B&B are little suckers. B&B makes larger diameter headers but other forum users say they are not all that great. Thanks for the help.

Mike

[Purple Venom]

Mike Woodard should be able to help you with that. Mike? Sent him a PM

[mike w]

Mike what cubic inch do you have do the ports match the heads what size are the tubes now. I my years of drag racing saw many prople run to big of tube header and this will hurt lower end torgue so bigger is not always better custom made header are
expensive. call bryan at b&b see if he has any suggestions

[Purple Venom]

Also, go to Club Cobra's sub forum titled "B&B Cobra's - speak with Bryan Anderson" and post a thread there to see what kind of response you get.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39

[A Snake]

Brian made me a set of 1-3/4" for my 351w...had a couple of issues but it was my fault as I did not tell him I was using a set World Senior heads and manifold hex head bolts would not work so I used a set of allen heads.
I have been extremely happy with mine.
I did have the coated by them also.
Did they make a difference ? Don't know as I was going with a completely different engine than was in it before.
I just felt the 1-1/2" were going to be too small with an intake and head match up.
I do still have 1-1/2" if anyone is interested. Good condition but I would ceramic coat them.

ps: have a local shop that does powder coating and ceramic coating if anyone is interested.

[Silver Bullet]

I currently have a mild 351w. Plans are to go with either a 408w or 427w next spring. I also have the little 1 1/2" headers that just look dinky compared to the big 2 1/4" Hookers on my BB Chevy. Either 1 3/4" or 2" would certainly breath better espicially with a set of good flowing 205 or 225 alum heads. By the way, has anyone had any dealings with Smeding Performance engines out of California. I'm leaning towards either Keith Craft or the Smeding engine. I have read good things about both builders.

Mike

[TOM KEISER]

Tough choice Mike, I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I would go with Keith Craft myself but only because I have heard so many rave reviews of his integrity and quality.

[Kerry & Kathy]

I'm with Mike W on this one.

If the car is street driven and 351 cu in...a primary port size of 1 5/8 - 1 3/4" is ideal with my preference for the 1 5/8". A larger primary can give you a higher peak HP but in a RPM range that is far above where you normally drive on the street, while sacrificing low end torque and fuel economy in the trade off.

This is definitely an area where bigger is not better.

K&K

[Silver Bullet]

Thanks everybody. Good stuff. I'll check with Bryan at B&B after I know which heads I will be using. Tom, I also am leaning toward the Keith Craft power plant. He responded back to me (on that other forum)about a 408 vs 427 question in short order. He gets really good press and for good reason....seems to take care of his customers.

Thanks again folks,
Mike

[A Snake]

I forgot to mention that I had to do some minor grinding on the flanges to get the spark plug socket on and off. Do a trial fit when engine is out of the car...I didn't and had the headers on and off so many times that when I walked near the car the bolts automatically started turning left.
I like the way the flanges on the side pipes mount up on Brians headers....no gaskets needed, just some good RTV and no leaks.