Custom vehicles are often radically modified. Aftermarket steering and suspension changes, or elaborate subframe swaps. Builders often relocate engine mounts, repositioning the engine to make more room for ignition, cooling, or accessory components. The Warranty Cards we send with our headers come back with all kinds of interesting and valuable information from our customers about specific installations. What really stands out is that most of our customers believe that some degree of modification to their vehicle is normal. We aim to eliminate or minimize the need for modifications when installing our headers!
We regularly update the list of vehicles a particular header fits. Click the APPLICATION tab in the product details to see a list of common vehicles that are compatible with that header set.
Even the best-planned spark plug wire installation results in plug wires contacting or being too close to the header tubes.
- Spark plug wire sets with ceramic boots offer one solution.
- Using shorter "header" plugs may offer a small improvement in clearance.
- Thermal plug wire sleeves (not thermal wrap applied to your headers!) may also help.
For certain engines, it is important to specify the cylinder heads used in the application. Aftermarket and factory performance cylinder heads sometimes slightly change the spark plug location and angle, amplifying header tube interference problems. To accommodate our customers' cylinder head choices, we can cleanly dimple the headers during manufacture when additional clearance is required.
Just a Trim...
In our experience, trimming the lower part of the inner fender panels on most classic trucks is required, including most 50s cars. This is especially true for big-block engine applications. It is also common to replace or modify accessory brackets, especially those originally mounted on factory manifolds or near the cylinder heads. The same goes for stock motor mounts, which may interfere with the collector on one or both sides of the engine.
Fortunately, there are many aftermarket sources for accessory brackets and motor mounts, which look, fit, and work better than the originals. It is a rare installation that requires custom-fabricated components. Check the descriptions and measurements in the product details for information relevant to your specific engine and chassis combination. Please contact us by phone or through our Helpdesk if you need any additional information.
Getting a-Head
With the advent of CNC machining and CAD software, just about anyone with the right skill set can design and manufacture a cylinder head. Because of this, we offer many variations of our headers to meet specific port flange and/or port designs. If using aftermarket cylinder heads, please let us know what you are using before you place your order. For many applications, our website lets you select the cylinder head you use on the product page. You can also state in the comments box at checkout if you are using cylinder heads we have not listed.
In many applications, we already have specific part numbers for certain cylinder heads, such as those with the "AP" or "DP" suffix, which denote "Angle Plug" or "D-Port". If you are unsure, or your cylinder heads do not match the OEM bolt placement, port exit, or something else, please let us know so you receive the correct header for your application.
Certain aftermarket cylinder head studs are longer or larger than factory-type bolts. In some instances, these longer studs might interfere with the bottom of the header flange. The easiest fix is to first verify the studs near the exhaust flange are installed to the proper depth. If the studs are installed to the proper depth and interference exists, you have two choices:
- Grind the base of the header flange for clearance. However, if your headers are coated, you will damage the coating, and the headers will need to be re-coated. This is not a viable or cost-effective choice in most situations.
- Grind down the tops of the studs slightly, which offers an alternative to solution #1. DO NOT GRIND INTO THE NUT ON THE HEAD STUD! If you have excessive interference, please contact us to discuss your alternatives.
50-State Smog Legal
Sanderson Headers are NOT smog-legal in states or municipalities that have adopted various emission-reduction standards. Please check your local or regional laws and ordinances regarding what aftermarket exhaust system products are legal. It is the user/installer's responsibility to verify legal and regulatory compliance.
Thermal Tape on the Street?
Questions surround the use of thermal wrap products seen on competition cars and whether they can use these products on their Sanderson Headers. It is natural to assume that because racers use a product, it must have some performance benefit on your street-driven vehicle. The theory behind thermal wrap and thermal header coatings is that maintaining combustion heat in the exhaust system improves cylinder scavenging. Additionally, reducing heat in the engine bay helps protect other components. Both are true! However, this is accomplished using a thermally coated header set, without the destructive side effects of thermal heat wraps, header tape, or other products attached to your headers.
Many high-budget race teams do not mind replacing exhaust system components frequently — and you can damage your headers if you use thermal wraps. We can easily tell if you have used thermal tape on your Sanderson Headers, and its use will void your warranty.