Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Does It Fit My Vehicle?
Our phones light up every day with calls from people need to know if a certain part number fits their vehicle. Sounds simple, right? It isn't!
Since headers are always larger than the factory manifolds, and a performance exhaust system is bigger than the original, something may have to give!
The cars we are building today are often radically modified, with steering and suspension changes or even subframe swaps. Builders often relocate engine mounts 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 think that some degree of modification to their vehicle is normal.
Dipstick Blues?
It is not unusual that the dipstick that fit the factory exhaust manifold won't work with your new headers. This is very easily solved. Lokar makes a flexible dipstick kit that can be mounted in a variety of ways.
Contact Lokar at 877-469-7440 or on their website at: http://www.lokar.com
A Cure for Burned Plug Wires
Even the best planned plug wire installation will sometimes not prevent the wires from being too close to the header tubes. Until recently, there was no cure other than to keep replacing plug wires. Jacobs Electronics (now part of Prestolite Performance) designed plug wires with ceramic boots that can take the heat. These ceramic booted plug wires are now marketed under the Accel brand as "Extreme 9000" and have a heat tolerance rating of over 2,000°F.
Just a Trim...
In our experience, the lower part of the inner fender panels on most classic trucks will need to be trimmed, as will those on most 50's cars, especially when running a big block engine. It's also not uncommon to need to replace or modify accessory brackets, especially those that mount on 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 and work a lot better than the originals. It is a rare installation that requires custom fabricated components. Check out the descriptions and measurements in the product details for information that affects your specific engine and chassis combination, and call or e-mail us if you need any additional information.
Getting a Head
With the advent of CNC machining and CAD software, just about anyone with the skill set can design and manufacture a cylinder head. It is because of this that there are many variations of our headers to meet specific flange and/or port designs. If you are using aftermarket cylinder heads we recommend that you let us know what you are using before, or when you place your order. You can do so in the comments box during checkout. If we have more questions we will contact you.
On many applications we already have specific part numbers for certain cylinder heads, such as those with the "AP" or "DP" suffix, defining "Angle Plug" or "D-Port". If you are unsure, or your cylinder heads do not follow OEM placement of bolts, port exit, or something else, please let us know so that you receive the correct header.
Cylinder Head Stud Interference
Certain aftermarket 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, but if they are in as far as they will go you have two choices:
- You can grind the base of the header flange for clearance, but 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 some situations.
- You can grind down the tops of the studs slightly which should offer an alternative to #1. You should not grind into the nut on the stud. If you have that much interference you should contact us to discuss your situation.
50-State Smog Legal
Sanderson Headers are NOT smog legal in states or municipalities that have adopted various standards of emission reduction. You need to check your local laws regarding what is legal and it is the user/installer's responsibility to verify compliance.
Thermal Tape on the Street?
We get lots of questions about the thermal warp products that are seen in various classes on competition cars, and if they can use these products on their Sanderson Headers. It's natural to assume that because racers use a product, it must be 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 scavenging of the cylinders. This is accomplished by using a thermal-coated header that we offer, with out the destructive side effects.
Many racers do not mind replacing exhaust system components frequently - and you will if you use thermal wraps. We can easily tell if you have used thermal tape on your Sanderson Headers, and this will void your warranty.
Sanderson Headers
517 Railroad Ave.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Toll Free: (800) 669-2430
Local: (650) 583-6617
Fax: (650) 583-8475
Need Help?
Follow these links to more information:
- Forgot password?
- Contact us
- New Items
- Dealer List - Where to Purchase Sanderson Headers
- Event Calendar
- FAQ's
- Patented Leak-Free Flange
- Thermal Ceramic Coatings
- Let's Get Technical - shorty vs full length
- Quality Header Design
- Header Installation and Upkeep
- The Complete Performance Exhaust System
- Reader's Rides
- About Sanderson Headers
- Terms & Conditions
- Sanderson Headers Privacy Statement
- Sanderson Header Warranty
Sanderson Headers
517 Railroad Ave.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Toll Free: (800) 669-2430
Local: (650) 583-6617
Fax: (650) 583-8475
