If I were choosing chassis clearance over average power and going with shorty style headers?.. I would gladly take the cheapy Hedmans over the Thorley's simply due to the collector to pitman-arm and bellhousing interference issue that they never cared to address. Seem's to me that being forced to run smaller than optimum headers for clearance should be more than enough compromise to effectively get the job done. But apparently so long as they're making money, Thorley has no issues forcing some folks to create cock-eyed and poorly transitioned collector stubs just to re-enable their cars ability to actually steer again. Otherwise I'd gladly recommend them because they're well built and solid looking pieces. It's just at that price they should fit well with a bit of extra clearance margin being added for aftermarket/OEM parts swap clearance. If I were to buy them, that drivers side collectors poor angle would get chopped and repaired to take some of that fitment issue away from the collector reducers. Sorry for the rant.. just seems frustrating that they came 90% of the way there to make a good product.. then said screw that last 10% in the fitment department. These cars are tight, but it surely doesn't need to be that way. Headmans are cheaper, even over the long run you could rust 3 sets out and probably still be money ahead. lol PS. and not only will the Headmans improve handling due to their lighter weight.. they'll probably save you a few more bucks in gas over the long run too.
Yeah I wouldn't want doug thorlys,for something that is supposed to be made for a maverick they didn't design the outlet locations very good. A really poor design imo
I have used both Hedman shorties and currently using Doug Thorley shorties. To answer your question: Doug Thorley are the best shorties
Craig I have a set of these but have yet to put them on the car. Might you have some pictures of your installation you could share? Thanks, Jason
Here you go....an entire thread: http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/doug-thorley-headers-installed.32902/
Ok thanks guys just wanted to see what would be the best. Going with m2 front end from hotrod and custom an heard thier was clearance issue for headers??
http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/pitman-arm-hitting-shorty-headers.96889/#post-989874 http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/headman-shorty-v-thorley-shorty.96212/#post-1066485 http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/347-stroker.80535/page-5#post-862885 http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/my-1972-c0met-gt-clone.95746/page-6 I've seen plenty of other pic's like these on this site and obviously some cars are worse than others
I will say that Doug Thorleys did not fit my '71 manual steering car very well. The driver's side downtube had to be pie cut together because of all the tight clearances. In the end, we made it work and it cleared, but I was much happier with my longtube 6901's. Every car is different though.