Flat collectors
 

How many of you guys use the "flat collectors" , as offered by Hedman in their "Hustler" line of headers?
Any likes , dislikes..............issues? Applications and reasons?

Thanks

Re: Flat collectors
 

Joe, from what I know of, they are used on 3rd gen F bodies, for ground clearance issues. I havent personally heard any complaints. My brother has sold several sets to stockers and bracket cars.

Re: Flat collectors
 

These will , in fact , be used on an 85 Firebird, and thank you.

Re: Flat collectors
 

I guess all the Stock and Super Stock racers are not interested in helping with this thread ?

Re: Flat collectors
 

I have a set in the shop. Hookers on the car now. The flat collector is for ground clearance, and are not the best for scavenging

Re: Flat collectors
 

This was something I was kind of expecting to hear.........
I'm just wondering if that kind of a difference would effect performance in a way thats even worth noting.

Re: Flat collectors
 

The short answer is yes

Re: Flat collectors
 

When we first built and run the Pinto in C/A we tried the flats for ground clearence it hurt to the tune of about 3 to 4 hundredths the round turndowns also hurt!

Re: Flat collectors
 

Cylinder pairing, bend radius, and other flow characteristics are critical if you're looking for every last little bit of power. If you look at flat collector headers, you'll see it is nearly impossible to make them work well.

Re: Flat collectors
 

This all originates from the situation of having a friend needing a set of headers for his 85 Bird ( small Chevy ).

He has a nice 400 ( Brodix cnc'd , 14-1 comp , Tim Cole put together some cam lobes for me ) just a decent combo. I "THINK" with this engine and a car that weighs in the neighborhood of 2700 lbs , 9.30s to 9.50s will be no problem. I did the engine so I know its a nice combo .

However , for what he's doing with it Stahl , Lemons etc etc were a little pricey..............so he opted for the Hedmans ( Hustlers )......all they had in an 1 7/8 was a "flat collector" deal , for his car.

I know they are less popular , but I have no idea what the "adverse" effects could be.

Re: Flat collectors
 

Just curious as to what difference it would make.... if it's a bracket car?

Re: Flat collectors
 

Well , since you asked , none ........I suppose. LOL

But I'm not a bracket racer by nature "at all".

I figure class racers may have some useful info though , if anyone would know if its not a good design , they would.

Re: Flat collectors
 

Joe you also have to run a remote oil filter with them because you cant get at the oil filter with the flat collector. just one more draw-back to that style......sorry.

Re: Flat collectors
 

Not in this case..........we didnt. There is approx 1 1/2 between the filter and collector.

Using a K&N HP2002

Re: Flat collectors
 

Not true, although you will make a mess all over the headers changing it.

Re: Flat collectors
 

lay a pig mat over the headers before dropping the filter. I finally started doing it since I got my regular headers coated.

Re: Flat collectors
 

This may seem a little irrelevant to some, but the VW Formula Vee guys have debated flat style 4-1 versus the more traditional square 4-1 collectors for a long time. Those guys run old, stock, small port single carb engines that have been tweaked by some pretty bright guys since the 1960's. At 50-some-odd hp output, they'd give their eye teeth for 3hp. Since you don't see one style or the other exclusively in use, my guess is there isn't a lot to be lost, or gained, if the rest of the header has been sized and constructed right.