How much?

 

Still no headers here. Was ordered @ the beginning of August thru the group purchase. I received the wrong ones (1 5/8" instead of 1 3/4"). Sent them back and 3 months later still nothing. Bruce told me they were on backorder and that it would take about 7 weeks to get them back in stock. That was more then 2 months ago. I called them on the phone numerous times at my expenses (I live in Canada) and each time I got the same song.

I tried to contact them via private message but no reply. Im getting very pissed at this. I paid for those headers, they are holding up my swap. I waited this long to get it public but I have waited long enough. Maybe they will chime in.

Hawks, wheres my stuff? If you cant deliver the goods, refund me back.

 

They should have a set as I returned mine in the box they came in. They looked great. I just am not going the LS1 route. Now my 91' is broken down and I have to fix it anyway. I have sent Bruce emails and talked to Steven but they didn't answer the phone today or yesterday and I have heard from Bruce...still trying. They are probably just busy.

 

I got refunded and bought a used set. Got sick and tired or playing the waiting game.

 

Thats a real shame as your car above all should have new pipes on it that is one Sweet build.

Voting for ceramic coating here

 

hah, thanks cam. I was thinking about some sort of coating to make them "look" new. Can you coat stainless?

 

Stainless can be coated. Dean

 

Yes, stainless can be coated.

Before they stopped making parts for 3rd gens, SLP only offered coated stainless headers.

I had my LS1 swap headers coated. Just seems too tight around things to let the extra heat out. To me, looks are secondary.

 

Fireball coating will get my business then. They are in Canada too (yay!)

 

ive had a set since day one, mine still look brand new.

 

The is my 2nd set of headers I orderd. This time I got 1.75"X2.5" SS. Since these are the smaller less popular ones that Hawks does not stock and I requested both 02 sensors be left off and in a bag, I had to pay extra and there was a 4 week lead time.

It was drop shiped directly from SSW and came neatly packaged.

 

The weld quality was exceptional. The flanges were lazer cut. Some of the bot holes were not perfectly round. I will have to clean them out with a drill











Overall I am very happy with how it looks. I just hope that it fits now.

Special shout out to Steven at hawks for taking the order correctly
(Even though BoM says the driver side 02 is welded but both bungs were in a bag), faxing me the statement and providing me an exact time when it will be at my doorstep.

 

Thats EXACTLY how mine look. Top notch build quality although mine have no HAWKS tag they were one of the first batch so they remain nameless but very pretty nonetheless. Odd how some of the shiny versions were not so stellar?

 

Thanks to your info & pictures....I asked them if I could get exactly like yours ........and how much extra and crossed my fingers!

The difference in the 2 headers...... even though the polished ones looked pretty was night and day...... I hope they got a new welder or put the old guy back on the job.lol!!

I am not saying it is fair but I guess the statement "you get what you pay for" holds true here!!

All this is pure speculation......and we may never know what happened !!

 

i think i was told i got the 3rd set out of the 1st batch of 10?
mine have the hawks logo on them.

 

The polished set you got wasnt made by Stainless Works. Its a copy of their header. I contacted them directly and they told me that they never made this header 1 5/8" and never will. Hence the lower price, not so good looking welds and fitment problem.

 

Thats new info.....wonder why ?

 

Perhaps this above has something to do with this...

I suppose alls well that ends well and really when i think about it EVERYONE here was begging for a cheaper set of swap headers and that what Hawks provided and I guess they needed a group purchase to get a green light to do it, and well, now here we are. Its a shame though that this info cant be "aired" I mean whats the big deal? I cant see any sensible reason Hawks wouldnt fess up on this and say "the price is this cuz its a new supplier so feedback appreciated" etc. Instead all the cloak and dagger mystery and Spike getting the shaft BIG TIME which is really the first big knock I've ever witnessed about Hawks. Shame really as his car would be one of the key rides built here that really should have a spanking fresh new set of pipes on it. Ahh well Im sure the coating will look cherry pie Spike.

A small thought here too that bothers me. I have no affiliation with Hawks or any vendor for that matter but I was the biggest drum beating, band wagon, ground pounding hardcore supporter of Hawks and the "AMAZING BUILD QUALITY" I raved about their headers sooooo many times and then they let some guys down after I pretty much sold them numerous times probably. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth with a cheap stainless flavor....

Anyways I gotta get back to work here lol

 

No clue really but mine dont but I was/am VERY pleased with them and the quality of them.

 

Who id the company that makes the header kit you weld up yourself? I think it is 190$, heard from a buddy you only need to cut two pipes and the rest line up pretty good. Said it was a 1 3/4 kit with 3" collectors.

Anyone know?

 

So the headers that I bought from screaminchicken are not made by SSW???


I'm not really complaining, as I have zero fitment issues with mine, and the flanges seated nicely on the heads with a set of Felpro gaskets, no leaks of any kind up front. Now, I haven't taken it to the exhaust shop to have the rest of the system made, but so far I don't have any complaints. Mine is a T56 car though.


I'm just curious as to why it was "known" that the group purchase was for SSW headers. Mine don't have the Hawks tag on them or anything, and they're real nice and shiny.

 

i didnt pick up on it beforehand, but the collector design is not the same as the "real" stainless works header.
wonder who made them? i would like to know if they would make me a 1 7/8 set.
called hawks and they said no. contacted stainless works and they said its not their design to sell outright.
doh!

 

I think cams statement makes the most speculative sense
The design is owned by Hawks. They can give it to any manuf to build it or do it themselves to save money. Its proven SSW can do a great job building it.
The GP headers were hawks swap headers maybe not build by SSW or a may have been built at SSW by a shitty tech.

The only reason I sold my headers to blueZee28 was because it would not fit around a 4l60e especially with all the other parts I had already brought.
So I had 2 options get a T56 or loose the headers and make the LS1 manifolds work.
Called BlueZee28 and Andrew about getting a T56 but that was out of the budget. So I sold the the headers to BlueZee28 who had a T56. So I started looking at using the manifolds....no dice there because most places I tried would not weld cast iron. Dont ask me why
I started looking at shorty headers from BBK, edelbrock, and even S10 LS1 swap headers. After buying that and getting estimates on extending them relocating bungs etc the cost exceeds what I sold the brand new headers to BlueZee28 for.
I dont know if you guys remember BRP comming out with those funky headers. I tried to work with them on using my car as a test and posting results. Last I heard they got a local 3rd gen so didnt need my help anymore and pretty much told me to f**k off . Didnt hear anything more about that. All threads on tech were deleted. Obviously it didnt fit and guy who built those was smokeingcrack.

I was about ready to order the same headers I sold to BlueZee28 again without the GP discount and somehow make it work.
As a last resort I convinced my self what extra couple 100 buck would be in the grand scheme of things so hoping that the extra 1/2 inch may make a difference I order the 2.5" ones without 02 bungs which they had too be custom ordered from SSW.

Thats how I ended up with these. I just got the T56 by chance but will definetly try the smaller headers on the 4L60e.

Thats also about where I got with that.

I did put this GP together and definatly not happy with how things have unfolded. I think most of the guys are happy with what was shipped to them with exception of Dean and Spike-Z. I think they are the only ones that got the 1-5/8 primaries. Dean got taken care of asap. I am not sure whats the excuse with Spike-Z's case. Based on his post , I did call Steven about it. It was the weekend of the nationals and I was told he was in the process of being taken care of.

I am happy and greatful that Steven & Bruce helped with my requests and neumerous phone calls. That what I would expect after spending close to 2.5K in parts already at Hawks.

But End of the day there is definatly some kind of conspiracy theory that has left a little bit of bitter tast. maybe a little abuse of monopoly of the product.

At this point all we can do is hope Hawks would let us know what happened and put a lid to this.

 

Paging Hawks.

 

I tried using the GP headers (Polished, 1 5/8" primaries, 3" collectors) with an LS1/4L60e from a 2002 Camaro. They did not fit at all, they hit the frame rail and the trans bellhousing.

I have to say though, that the customer service I received from Hawks was top notch. Bruce sent me a replacement header when the original did not fit. The replacement did not fit either, so I sent them all back and they are refunding me. I have purchased from Hawk's in the past and received high quality products, and I will continue to buy from them... I don't think they are necessarily (directly) at fault for the poor manufacturing of the headers. The fact that they stand behind their products and offer great customer service more than makes up for the shortcomings of these headers.

 

that's exactly the way mine look too. top notch stuff, and the header flanges ARE stainless

 

I would also like to add the following about Hawks

Hawks always returned my phone calls even if it was after 2 days compared other places like BRP that change their mind after 2 hrs and dont even remember what they agreed upon.

Every shipment I recieved from Hawks had issues but every single issue was taken care of. Some sooner than later.

From what I have been researching even at $850 for a set a LT , I could not personally find a place that would do at set at that price in SS. That would involve moving a car with no suspension to their shop.

If I remember right Bruce was also surprised that the polished headers didnt fit. As soon as he heard about it he tried to put a set on one of LS1/4l60e cars to confirm. You guys may have seen photos Steven posted. After he found the work arounds (relocate 02 bung and shift lever bracket) he emailed me detailed pic and instructions on what he did to make the polished ones work.

At that time I was pissed because of the fact that after spending $650 I still will have to modify stuff. Most if it was because I dont have a welder and no metal fab experience.

I am at a point now that even though many people have put LS1 in our year cars and have very detailed threads about what works and what does not , end of the day that drivetrain was not supposed to be in there and how many ever swap parts come out to make things easy modifications will be needed period.

Hawks is only one of the few vendors that offer GP. BMR doesnt.
There are so much required fixes for the Spohn K-memeber and X-memebers. Even after so much feedback from us did they do anything about it? NO .....

Hawks may not be perfect and may sometime not able to keep everybody happy but one of the better ones out there that support our cars and community. I feel for sure they are not in it just for the money.








did I type too much ? Sorry you dont have to read it all.

 

I have no doubt that Hawks does great work and have a great customer service 99.9% of the time. What pisses me off is that the 0.01% chance of getting shafted always falls on me. Being from Canada and having to mess with returns is hell. I wait, do my research and order when Im sure what Im ordering will work the way I want. I pay for the best and thats what I expect (hell its been 5 years since I started this build). The 3rd gen market is still a VERY small world and for me, Hawks has one strike down.

Cam- Thanks for the support man, this is really appreciated! Im still debating the color of the headers... black, charcoal grey or polished.... they can also do it in white, I wonder how it would look.

 

I am just really happy that the ones I got from you fit my car with the T56 lol

 

Are you painting or powdercoating ? I dont think either of those will hold.

If you are powdercoating do something like this color

http://www.mofbody.com/forums/viewto...49795&start=15

See last post on C4 Corvette Lower A-arms (Chrome)

But polished to match ur wheels would look killer.

 

Hmmmm I did not know there were so many colour options thats pretty intriguing... Mind you I tend to stick to the stuff that from a traditional stand point looks good. I never want to be the guy who built an uber trendy machine only to have it become complete geek a few years later ( as in neon lights, big wings etc. ) while i know just about everyone who posts here realizes how completely lame those mods are on any car let alone an f body but my thinking is the silver look is always in style. The white might be the bitchenest thing going for the first year but I'd be afraid that it would become outdated quick and then Im stuck with a look I would want to change. Mind you i am very pragmatic in this regard Im Scandinavian background so we tend to keep things simplistic as possible. Some of my closr gear head friends locally are latinos and Germans and man they go for the gusto when it comes to mods to put it mildly LOL. Seriously sick builds though but Im too conservative for that kind of bravery.

So just to babble further Spike... I think I'd really like to see white but Im not sure if Id do it myself LOL hope that helps.

BTW I want to see your car when its all done so maybe you should make the trip down for the big CCFBG show in the spring? Im sure you'd clean on awards up with that thing

 

ive seen the white before. it may vary company to company.
its a powdery looking flat white, not gloss like an old school porcelain tile.
basically its not shiny like a white paint job.
id pass.

 

and it discolors

 

You guys are right. Silver or gloss black it is. Polished isnt out of the way but Im not into underhood bling much.

Cam- I exactly think the same way as you and appreciate very much your input. As for driving to Ontario, Im sure it would be one hell of a ride. Having no wipers kinda make long rides somewhat "unsafe" hehe

Im sure I could do a quick in and out tho. Ill keep you noted for sure man.

 

Rain-X is your friend.

 

LOL Ya I hear ya regarding the wipers. Mine are there but seldom if ever come on and they are so old all they do is smear the crap around. I dont have any windshield washer system anymore though I dont drive through nasty anything although i have been in the rain. On the highway at speeds over 120kmh the rain rolls off very well even in a pretty good downpour. Never did the RainX thing but I have brand new glass so maybe that helps. Not one single stone chip *knock on wood*

 

My final findings.......

The Hawks SSW 1.75"X2.5" Long tubes dont fit around the 4L60e.
Its curved even tighter and hits the trans pan/trans casing lip area.

Suprisingly I was able to atleast bolt on the 1.7.5"X3" on.



THE END

 

Wow Melvin, that really sucks. You're going with a T56 now anyways so I guess that it doesn't matter anymore (for you anyways).

 

ive successfully got a powerglide and these headers to work together.
a good tip would be to use a hurst shifter, as the shifter arm for a B&M will get in the way.
ended up fabbing up my own pan bracket for the cable, and using a hurst piece for the shift lever.
3 hours of cussing and fighting, the shifter works and clears the headers.

the 2 locknuts on either side of the bracket that holds the cable.... hahaha!
i had to use 2 long extension and 2 crows foot wrenches to cinch it all down.
when i get some free time and some extra cash, im building my own.