Developing Headers

[RamonGTX]

2 weeks ago a Richard Childress Racing parts provider called us and wants us to develop some headers for their truck racing program and it got me thinking....while we are at it let's develop a nice cheap set of headers for the 3.8 in our Grand Prixs. Anyone have any imput on what would make a cheap good set of headers? We wanna keep it at a reasonable price but without any of the hastles that the cheap knock off headers off ebay have..at the end of it all of this I wanna create a great set of headers for a great price...so any imput will help.

[Bio248]

there are already cheap sets that they will have no way of beating.

but if they want to, tell them to reproduce S&S headers. make the primaries bigger if they want, but the headers were fine as is.

[RamonGTX]

It basically started as a way for me to get cheap headers but then our boss saw it and wants to see what we can market..so we will see how this all goes.

[oneil.GTP]

how much cheaper can you really get with headers.. sd and ssac are pretty cheap for the quality.

only thing to improve would be sealing issues.. but that's more assembly error than non-conforming parts.

[Juanmiguel]

I agree it would be hard to beat the current header prices. I'm not really sure what kind of products can you guys develop, but I would try to develop a cheaper intercooler set instead.

[footballplaya3k]

If you could develop some equal length headers I think those would sell because there are none in the 3800 market but those wouldn't be cheap.

[Odi]

eh, it really depends on the price. If marketed correctly yeah, they would make money.

[blueguy]

I say run em under the subrame and be a boss like Ron Vogel. 2" primaries.

Man up.

[footballplaya3k]

Well they're not going to beat the price of slave labor headers like SD so why not try to do something new, I think that's their best shot.

[Bio248]

If you could develop some equal length headers I think those would sell because there are none in the 3800 market but those wouldn't be cheap.

lol at this statement. think of how you'd be able to do this, then get back to us. you'd have to make the rear header so ungodly long and stupid looking to make it even come close to the front header length it's not even funny.

think again, we are never getting equal length headers.

[matt5112]

headers that fit, flow, seal and are stainless.

[GAFF]

lol at this statement. think of how you'd be able to do this, then get back to us. you'd have to make the rear header so ungodly long and stupid looking to make it even come close to the front header length it's not even funny.

think again, we are never getting equal length headers.

ever

[Odi]

headers that fit, flow, seal and are stainless.

this.

[starscream5000]

Something on the cheap side like SD Headers with a better Downpipe that's less likely to hit things, and runners on the front bank that don't stick out so far as to rub the cooling fans would be great. Do something like that at a comparable price and you'll sell lots.

[real diehl]

3" primaries

Also, if it were my job, and some higher-up asked me what platform to make headers for that would have a good market, I wouldn't have said "Build headers for the GM W-body."

I hope your career isn't on the line.

[footballplaya3k]

lol at this statement. think of how you'd be able to do this, then get back to us. you'd have to make the rear header so ungodly long and stupid looking to make it even come close to the front header length it's not even funny.

think again, we are never getting equal length headers.

Instead of being a douche bag why don't you tell him your idea. You must have one since you're bashing mine, right?

[Bio248]

Instead of being a douche bag why don't you tell him your idea. You must have one since you're bashing mine, right?

i did. let me quote it for you.

there are already cheap sets that they will have no way of beating.

but if they want to, tell them to reproduce S&S headers. make the primaries bigger if they want, but the headers were fine as is.

S&S headers are no longer manufactured. they were the best sealing, easiest install headers out there. they also ran a smaller primary and a 2.5" downpipe making them FANTASTIC headers for anyone running a mild to medium build on their w-body. they are the ORIGINAL two piece headers.

youre welcome.

[RamonGTX]

3" primaries

Also, if it were my job, and some higher-up asked me what platform to make headers for that would have a good market, I wouldn't have said "Build headers for the GM W-body."

I hope your career isn't on the line.

Its not like this is a primary thing and we are throwing thousands of dollars into it to develop it...he knows im a grand prix guy so he told me do a test run with what ever kind of vehicle i want so i choose headers for our cars just for the fact that i wanna pair of headers. Basically what we are doing is seeing how long it takes us to go from development stages to production stage so that we can put the same theory into other vehicles...idk if you got what i meant? And since the ability to make Grand Prix headers is there we might as well try and market them somehow...

[FoSHO99]

If it's not under $200 and they don't install themselves, they probably will not sell mass quantities. Maybe if it were 7 years ago there would be more of a market, but not these days.

But the primaries would probably be 1 5/8ths and 1 3/4ths max, keep the rear header and crossover one piece, leave the lower downpipe flange in an easy access spot and v-band. Also put the 02 sensor bung on the crossover near cyl. #6, the values will be the same from the front bank to the rear bank and very easy to access. Possibly leave a bung for wideband. 3" downpipe with direct bolt on to factory catback. Also if you could upsweep the primaries that would be awesome.

[Silver GTP]

The $200 SpeedDaddy headers seem to be what everybody wants since they are stainless and cheap. If you could develop headers that were superior to those and close in price, you could have a winner. The problems I have seen with the SpeedDaddy headers are the sink trap in the down pipe, the flex section is cheap (should be an interlocking flex) and the crossover does not line up well. I agree with Bio that the S&S design would be a good one to copy instead of the SLP headers that SpeedDaddy copied.