I got a cheap set of Flowtech headers for the 350 in my K20 4x4 and they fit great. Only problem was when I went to hook up the exhaust to the collectors they were pointing right at the cross member for the transfer case.
It cost more to custom route the exhaust through the cross member even with a good used set of super turbo's I picked up for 20 bucks than what the headers cost. It might be easier with a 2 wheel drive than 4x4 but they don't tell you that. Best way, is what your doing now. Talk to others and check out other guy's trucks to find what you want and avoid troublesome fit and installation. Good luck with your truck.

BTW Off idle throttle responce improved and high RPM's built up faster with the headers. I also got 1 5/8 tubes.

 

Not sure what year C10 you have there spinn. My 72 has seen 3 different sets over time. Now has Headman's low dollar version and is like you say leaning on the cheap side $ wise but they fit OK. One issue is they come to close to the chassis down low on the right hand side and GM ran a brake line in my way

Other than that they clear everything well. These seem to drop down too far though and I need to kick up with my exhaust right after the collector, bit of an eye sore. I have heard that a set for a monte carlo of the same era will work good on my C10?, they don't hang down so low, also they are longer tube, my truck headers are on the stubby side.

my # is HED-69090

IMO If you can do away with heat riser setup to air cleaner there is no reason that headers will hurt the 305 performance

TJ

 

I have an 86 c-10 and hooker headers work with no problem. These are some of the easiest trucks to install headers on.

 

The truck is an 85 with a 305/ TH350 lockup on a switch. Upgraded the heads to vortec with the vortec performer intake. The 305 original 462? heads were 62cc and the vortecs were 64 cc still the power was increasing. The cam was swapped to a performer .420/.442" w/ springs. 8.5" Gear swapped to 3.73 with a 28" tire . Hei curved silver lights 16+18 total 34 at 2400. Trans govenor calibrated 1-2 shift at 5000 rpm weights #3 #4 yellow and blue springs. Q Jet Carb hung with M hanger and DR rods, orange spring, 5/8th turn on the door tension.

Just rounding the bases, figuring headers are next on the block. C+D gave the 85 C10 a 17.77 standing 1/4 time. My goal is to get around 14.5-14.7 , about the straight line acceleration of a older LT1 corvette. All the changes have been positive and not looking back.

 

The truck is an 85 with a 305/ TH350 lockup on a switch. Upgraded the heads to vortec with the vortec performer intake. The 305 original 462? heads were 62cc and the vortecs were 64 cc still the power was increasing. The cam was swapped to a performer .420/.442" w/ springs. 8.5" Gear swapped to 3.73 with a 28" tire . Hei curved silver lights 16+18 total 34 at 2400. Trans govenor calibrated 1-2 shift at 5000 rpm weights #3 #4 yellow and blue springs. Q Jet Carb hung with M hanger and DR rods, orange spring, 5/8th turn on the door tension.

Just rounding the bases, figuring headers are next on the block. C+D gave the 85 C10 a 17.77 standing 1/4 time. My goal is to get around 14.5-14.7 , about the straight line acceleration of a older LT1 corvette. All the changes have been positive and not looking back.

I have similar setup brother, only difference is I have 601 heads, 700r4, and 3;42 gears. everything is the same

 

I also ran flowtech long tubes on my 305 86 K10 stepside. I currently run headman long tubes on my 84 pro street c10 and they fit fine. Good thing about those years is that there is alot of room in the engine bay. Tons more if you remove fender wells.

 

This is what RobbinHood suggests , Hooker Headers 2466HKR - Hooker Competition Shorty Headers. They are for street driven vehicles , and offer performance at $150 .

 

id just go with summit longtube/full lengths from summit for 99$. The will make more power than the shorty headers. Sound better when you run open headers too.

 

Spinn - are you saying that the 2466HKR - Hooker Competition Shorty Headers will fit a square body GM truck 4x4 without any problems? They are designed for cars, and Hooker doesn't say they will fit a truck.

I know that long tubes can make more power, but I need power in the low to mid RPM range (1000-3500 RPM) and I don't think I will lose much with shorty headers. Shorty's also have less mass, which I hope will make it easier to keep them from vibrating loose (a bigger problem on a 4x4).

Bruce