Who makes the best headers
 

Repowering the boat, looking for a consensus from the guys whom have had different headers, and whom they think builds the best quality for a 900hp blower motor. I've always had CMI, but I know there is also Stelling, Hardin, Eddie, KE, and so on. Thanks Jeff

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

The expanded radius section of the "Cool Collar" concentrates a greater amount of cooling water at the initial entry point and forms a reservoir effect, forcing cooling water into all jacketed areas, eliminating hot spots. Well engineered overall I think.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

only one choice....CMI

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

I've had stellings with gaffrig mufflers for the last 2 years , their expensive an the best, also less chance water gettin in your engines, thats my 2 cents.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

stelling.............

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

IF you want performance KE is the best. The KE does not have much in the looks department. Stainless Marine is also Top Quality. As well as, CMI and Stellings.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Hey guys, thanks for all the responses. Has anyone heard of American Hi-Tek.
www.american-hi-tek.com Thanks Jeff

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

I have had both stellings and cmi. I think the Stellings are a better header.I do not like the manifolds style,but they are cheaper.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Stellings for sure !

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

My 2 cents: Stellings all the way, and if your gonna run the big tube, we found 29hp better on dyno runs, then any other out there. Plus Randy at Stellings is great, he knows his **** and takes care of the customer very well. Kinda like Nor-tech.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Hey Jeff, aren't you supposed to run the boat before you repower it?!?!?! :D Man, talk about a guy with ants in his pants! ;) :D

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Dockrocker, its hard coming out of a 98mph boat in the AT, and running 83 in that Nortech, its so smooth that I could take a nap. At 83 it feels like Im only going 60, its so damn smooth. Besides my wife just had surgery and we won't be able to boat for 1-1/2 months, so the timing was perfect.

Bling Bling, you said you got 29 more hp over which other exhaust system, thanks for the help guys, Jeff :D

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Jeff I want to be you when I grow up! :D Just make sure we get pics!!!

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

We have stellings and they work great

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

CMI

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

With our monster 1350HP Sterlings we use Stainless Marine Cast Aluminum Manifolds and we love them. The main idea is to get the exhaust out as quick as you can and these work great.

Pair-A-Dice Racing
www.pair-a-dice-racing.com :)

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Here are stellings on two big block Fords in a 32 Fountain with a 34 inch center line. Fords are taller and wider than Chevs. Randy was great to work with, I will difinitely work with him on my new Gladiator.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

It looks like its between CMI and Stelling. Out of the 2, has anyone owned them longer than 2 or 3 years, and how do they look, any discoloration, any splitting or cracking, thanks jeff

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

I have Stellings Green on my Cigarette one set are from 1989 no leaks and looking good !

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Just visited a shop to have mufflers installed. They found all of my CMI headers with holes in them.... shooting salt water into the engine!!! :hothead: It took 6 weeks to get a replacement set and they are leaking at the collars. The back of the shop was filled with CMI headers with holes. I have not tried Stellings, but I will.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

I have to agree with too old on this one. The stainless marine manifolds are superior.

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

I've had Gil's, two sets of Lightning (different boats), but if I had to do another one I'd follow Too Old's advice and go with Stainless Marine manifolds.

-Greg

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Jeff, I hope everything is OK with your Wife! My thoughts & prayers are with you both! Robbie & Chris

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

My new 598" NA motor has CMI Sport Tubes and they look and perform awesome. My application is absolutely perfect for these headers which explains why they work so well. I doubt at 6500 RPM if the Stainless Marine Manifolds would work as well as the 32" runner CMI's. If they indeed work better you would see them on drag racing cars!! For performance at 5700 RPM or below headers have less influence than at high RPM's. Throw a blower in there and things get even more complicated. For a blown motor CMI E-tops or Stainless Marine manifolds are a toss up. For high RPM NA motors something with long runners like CMI Split Tubes or Sport Tubes are the way to go. I have never had problems with CMI, and Stellings looks like a very good option as well. My vote is CMI!!

Craig

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

This is one topic where the Marine Industry appears to be in the "stone age" as far as development goes. Most of the cast aluminum manifolds are nothing more than an old "tri y' design which is one step better than the old "exhaust log". Most dyno comparisons show they are fairly pathetic above 5200-5400. The majority of the "headers" out there by CMI and Stellings are a better attempt at being somewhat sofisticated but are normally still not "equal length" with a 32-34" runner. Folks pay good money to a builder for heads, cams, intakes etc and then dyno with a drag type tuned pipe showing a nice hp reading and then throw on a eye candy system that probably cost them 15-40 hp at 5500+? :rolleyes: I just had to throw my .02 out there! :D

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

No Question, CMI. Best Product, Great Service!

IMOP!

Bryan

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

What are the difference in cost between CMI, Stainless and Stellings?? I need to replace the Gil exhaust on my motors. (HP500's)

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Thanks Robbie, she is ok, feeling much better, and have been boating the last few weeks, take care, Jeff and Sandy :D

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

We Have Twin 1000's Blown And We Have Stellings

Donz Jr Mike

Re: Who makes the best headers
 

Randy @ Stellings has been super to work with. Quick service, reasonable, dependable and good information.

As far as performance, only dyno's or trial an error can tell you the difference.

Randy, you better read this. Sending a header back to you this week for a flow test. Need some quick turn around buddy. :D