Truck Pulling Headers - Specs, Brands, and Install Tips

The Basics of Truck Pulling Headers

Truck pulling is a popular motorsport where modified trucks compete to see who can pull a weighted sled the farthest down a track. An important component on any competitive truck puller is the exhaust headers.

What are Headers?

Headers, also called exhaust manifolds, are the first part of a vehicle's exhaust system. They provide the exhaust exit point for the cylinders of the engine and help control the tuning and power output. Headers come in different styles and designs depending on the intended use.

Key Benefits of Pulling Specific Headers

There are a few key benefits pulling trucks can gain from specialized headers designed for truck pulling competitions:

• Increased power - Properly designed long tube headers can optimize exhaust scavenging and tuning to increase torque and horsepower output.
• Weight reduction - High quality stainless steel headers shed pounds off the front of the truck compared to cast iron manifolds.
• Durability - Pulling headers feature thicker flanges and tubing to stand up to the demands of high RPM and cylinder pressure.
• Tunability - Different length and diameter primary tubes allow fine tuning the powerband for different track conditions.

Popular Header Styles

There are two main styles used on heavy duty pulling trucks - long tube headers and shorty headers. Both deliver great performance, but have some key differences.

Long Tube Headers

As the name suggests, long tube headers feature lengthy primary tubes that route exhaust from each cylinder down to a collector. Benefits include:

• Maximize scavenging for peak high RPM power
• Can be tuned by changing primary length and collector designs
• High quality stainless steel stands up to pulling demands

The long smooth tubes do take up more space and require more fabrication for installation.

Shorty Headers

Shorty headers have much tighter primary tubes and routing to greatly simplify installation. Advantages are:

• Compact size allows easy installation and fits more applications
• Cost effective stainless steel and mild steel designs
• Primary tube lengths still enhance top end power

Shorty headers may not offer the ultimate peak power of long tubes, but still provide great improvements over stock manifolds.

Choosing the Right Design

Choosing the optimum truck pulling headers involves balancing factors like engine size, truck weight class, tuning approach, and budget. Key points to consider are:

• Larger displacement engines benefit more from long tube headers
• The heavier the pulling class, the more durability is needed
• Engines running higher peak RPM require precise header tuning
• Cost goes up for long tube headers with exotic metals or custom fabrication

It's best to consult experienced pulling engine builders when selecting headers for a competition truck.

Trusted Brands

Some of the top manufacturers with a long history building pulling truck headers are:

• S&S Cycle - Experts in motorcycle, pulling sled, and diesel performance
• Cook's Racing Products - Specialize in fabricated racing headers and exhaust
• dynatech - Innovative designs for high end pulling headers
• Flowtech - Respected builder of universal and vehicle specific headers

Custom Shop Alternatives

Many local exhaust and chassis shops also construct high quality one-off headers for pulling trucks. Custom builds allow getting exactly the right design for specific truck setup. Expect to pay a premium over brand name products.

Installing New Headers

Since headers connect directly to the engine, they can be more labor intensive to install or replace. Some key steps are:

1. Use a lift for easy under truck access, or safely jack and support the truck
2. Always allow the engine and exhaust to fully cool before starting
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and any electrical/sensors
4. Remove stock manifolds and all exhaust piping back to collector or turbo
5. Carefully install new headers and loosely secure hardware
6. Adjust header position and tighten clamps to specifications
7. Reconnect sensors, exhaust, battery; check for leaks before starting

An experienced mechanic can typically swap a set of headers in 4-6 hours. Custom fabrication or modifications may take longer.

The right set of truck pulling headers helps maximize an engine's output and performance. Weigh all the different factors when choosing long tube, shorty, or custom exhaust manifolds for your next pulling truck project.

FAQs

What is the main benefit of headers on a pulling truck?

The optimized design of pulling truck headers increases exhaust scavenging and cylinder filling to maximize torque and horsepower output. High quality headers can add 50HP or more over stock manifolds.

Can I install headers myself?

Installing headers takes some mechanical skill and exhaust knowledge. If you have automotive experience and the proper tools, it can be done at home. Otherwise leave it to an experienced diesel mechanic or chassis shop.

Will any header fit my truck?

No, you need to select headers designed specifically for your engine make, model, year, and displacement. Custom fabrication may be required for unique engine swaps or chassis configurations.

Is stainless steel better than mild steel for competition?

Stainless provides the best durability for the high heat and vibration of truck pulling. Mild steel headers can work but may require more frequent replacements.