While at this year’s Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals we ran into our friend Jim Browning of Ultimate Headers displaying his products at the Precision Hot Rods booth. We had to get a prompt scoop on what was new in the world of his business. During last year’s SEMA Show Jim was nice enough to walk us through his product showcase that was aimed at addressing fitment issues that occur during LS swaps. Be sure to check out that article here.

This time around Jim introduced us to his header setup for the Small-Block Chevy. “We debuted the 350 ci header setup during this year’s L.A. Roadsters Show. During the event, they were fitted onto Bob Walden’s Testarossa Red roadster touting a Small-Block Chevy. The display engine offered show attendees a glimpse of how well Jim’s headers compliment an engine bay–they afford performance, maximization of space, and unparalleled engineering beauty.

How are you setting your package apart from other header products out there?

Jim Browning: “With Ultimate Headers we have three industry firsts at one time–a patented low-profile clamp, cast elbows, and the use of 321 stainless in our tubing. Our collector flanges are also cast so that’s really four industry firsts.”

The Ultimate Headers Extreme Low Profile clamps were a point of focus for us during our interview with Jim. “There’s no restriction, it’s adjustable up to about 13-degrees and there’s just one bolt on it. It looks cool, but also the benefit is when somebody builds a system using a v-band or flange they have to have the pipes perfectly head-on, with this they don’t have to.”

The impact is clear, these connector clamps provide a highly useful solution to connecting your exhaust and header setup when ground and/or body clearance is an issue.

Ultimate Headers’ cast tight radius header elbows feature 316L grade stainless steel to give you needed strength, tighter turns, and totally uniform wall thickness–With a turn radius smaller than the tube diameter, this allows you to put those big tubes into tighter envelopes.

With Ultimate Headers tubing being made from 321 stainless, the setup is 50% stronger than 304. “321 stainless steel features titanium added to the basic nickel/chromium steel allowing for resistance to material fatigue and thermal cracking required in high heat environments.”

Every step has been taken by Jim and his team to cut the nonsense out of traditional header setups in order to leave a beautiful and stronger package. The header flanges are a prime example of this. “The side benefit of all this open area is that the motor runs cooler further reducing any possibility for warpage. Our flanges are 27% lighter than a 3/8-inch thick plate.”

With Ultimate Headers hot on the expansion of their product range, Ford and Chevy Big-Block fans can expect some applications in the near future. “Along with Big-Block Chevy, a new unit for Ford’s 460 ci crate motor will be coming out in the future.”

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