Specifications:
Certificate: ISO9001:2000
Application: Automobile Exhaust Header
Material: Stainless Steel
Surface: Mirror Polish
Model: EH28087
Primary Tube Diameter: 1 5/8(41.3mm)
Collector Attachment: 3-bolt flange
Collector Diameter: 2.5 (63.5mm)
Primary Tube Gauge: 16 Gauge
Flange Thickness: 3/8 (9.5mm)
Exhaust Header VS Manifold, which is the better choice?
The structural differences between exhaust headers and manifolds are the material and size. From the material, exhaust headers are made of lighter, thinner steel, while exhaust manifolds are made of thick iron. Exhaust headers are also longer than exhaust manifolds. When in use, exhaust manifolds create back pressure, which lowers performance. Because each cylinder of the engine is given its own tube, however, headers eliminate this problem; thus, allowing the gases to exit without the creation of back pressure. Therefore, exhaust headers are a BETTER choice than an exhaust manifold.
Replacing or upgrading your exhaust header is necessary for both engine performance and sound. Whether on or off the track, exhaust headers provide more horsepower and improved exhaust sound. FLASHARK offers many products to help you create your own custom engine headers. It's really easy and convenient to use: direct bolt-on, no modification needed.
Fitment & Compatibility
| Brand | Model | Year Range | Full Compatible Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM | Cars, Trucks & Cadillac Full Lineup | 1923-1954 | For LS-Series V8 Engine Swap ONLY; Fits All Standard Trim Levels & Body Configurations |
| Chevrolet | Bel Air | 1950-1964 | For LS-Series V8 Engine Swap ONLY; Fits All Standard Trim Levels & Body Configurations |
| Chevrolet | Corvette | 1953-1967 | For LS-Series V8 Engine Swap ONLY; Fits All Standard Trim Levels & Body Configurations |
| Chevrolet | Nomad | 1955-1961 | For LS-Series V8 Engine Swap ONLY; Fits All Standard Trim Levels & Body Configurations |
| Chevrolet | Impala / Biscayne | 1958-1964 | For LS-Series V8 Engine Swap ONLY; Fits All Standard Trim Levels & Body Configurations |
Q1: Will these block hugger headers fit my factory small block Chevy (SBC) 350 or 305 engine?
A1: No, they will not. These headers are designed strictly for LS-series engine swaps (Gen III/IV engines like LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LSX, 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L) and will not fit original, classic Chevrolet Small Block (SBC 283, 305, 327, 350, 400) or Big Block (BBC) cylinder heads. The product title mentions "Small Block" and "350" because they are engineered to fit LS engines being swapped into classic Chevy chassis that originally came with SBC 350 engines. If you are swapping a modern LS engine into your classic car, these are the perfect fit!
Q2: What classic Chevy models are compatible with these LS swap block hugger headers?
A2: These universal-style LS swap headers are engineered for 1923-1967 classic GM/Chevrolet chassis. Verified fitments include the 1950-1964 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1953-1967 Corvette, 1955-1961 Chevy Nomad, 1958-1964 Impala/Biscayne, as well as 1923-1954 GM passenger cars and trucks. Their compact, symmetric design makes them a top choice for custom street rods, rat rods, and classic Restomods undergoing a modern LS V8 swap.
Q3: What is a "block hugger" header, and why do I need it instead of LS longtube headers?
A3: A block hugger header is a compact, "tight-tuck" shorty header design where the primary tubes match the tight V-angle of the engine block to maximize frame rail and steering clearance. Traditional longtube headers often hang low or stick outward, making them impossible to fit in tight classic engine bays. FLASHARK block huggers tuck the exhaust pipes extremely close to the LS engine block, providing maximum ground clearance and preventing steering shaft interference on narrow classic chassis.
Q4: Will these tight-fit LS headers clear my steering box and steering shaft?
A4: Yes! This is the primary reason car builders choose FLASHARK block hugger headers. By keeping the primary tubes tucked in tightly, these headers offer exceptional clearance for factory steering boxes, aftermarket rack-and-pinion setups, and universal steering shafts. Depending on your engine swap mount position (such as using 1-inch setback plates), minor clearance adjustments may occasionally be needed, but these block huggers are the lowest profile option available on the market.
Q5: Are these headers compatible with LS2, LS3, LS6, and truck LS engines like the 5.3L LM7 or 6.0L LQ9?
A5: Absolutely! These headers are 100% compatible with all GM LS-family Gen III and Gen IV V8 engines (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS6, LSX, as well as Vortec truck engines: 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L). The cylinder head exhaust port patterns are identical across these LS platforms, ensuring a perfect flange alignment and hassle-free bolt-on installation on your swap motor.
Q6: What material are these FLASHARK LS swap headers made of, and will they rust?
A6: FLASHARK headers are manufactured from premium, heavy-duty 16-gauge T304 stainless steel with a high-end 3-stage mirror-polished finish. Unlike cheaper mild steel headers that rust, peel, or warp within months, our T304 stainless steel offers ultimate resistance to heat cycling, corrosion, and rust. Over time, they will develop a beautiful, high-performance golden-amber patina under heat, which is completely normal for high-quality stainless steel.
Q7: How thick are the flanges, and will these headers leak under high heat?
A7: These headers feature ultra-thick 3/8" (9.5mm) laser-cut CNC flanges. Thin flanges are notorious for warping under high temperatures, which causes permanent, annoying exhaust leaks. FLASHARK's massive 3/8" flanges provide a completely flat, rigid mating surface against the cylinder heads, ensuring a secure, leak-free seal even under extreme exhaust pressures and heat cycles.
Q8: Do these block hugger headers clear my stock starter, oil pan, and oil dipstick?
A8: Yes, the compact, hand-welded tube layout is specifically engineered to clear stock-style LS starters, standard swap oil pans (such as classic swap-specific oil pans), and the factory LS oil dipstick tube. The primary tubes run high and tight before merging into the 3-bolt collector flange parallel to the oil pan rail, preserving maximum space under the engine block.
Q9: Will these headers clear standard spark plugs and spark plug boots?
A9: Yes, the primary tubes are designed to allow clear access to your spark plugs and ignition wires. However, because LS swap configurations can vary depending on engine mount setback plates and chassis rails, we highly recommend using 45-degree or multi-angle spark plug boots, or high-temperature spark plug boot sleeves, to prevent any hot primary tubes from resting directly against your ignition wires.
Q10: What exhaust gasket and hardware are included with the FLASHARK FLES08278 kit?
A10: The FLASHARK LS Swap header kit comes complete with premium-quality multi-layer metal head gaskets, collector gaskets, mounting bolts, and a pair of 3-bolt collector reducers (2.5" outlet) to help you easily connect the headers to the rest of your custom exhaust system. Everything you need for a complete bolt-on installation is included in the box.
Q11: What performance improvements can I expect from replacing stock manifolds with FLASHARK block huggers?
A11: Stock cast-iron LS exhaust manifolds are heavy and restrict exhaust flow due to uneven internal pathways. Upgrading to FLASHARK's 1-5/8" mandrel-bent primary headers reduces backpressure, increases exhaust scavenging velocity, and unleashes a dyno-proven gain of 12-18 horsepower and improved mid-range torque. You will also get a much deeper, throatier exhaust tone under throttle.
Q12: Do I need to perform custom welding or fabrication to hook up my exhaust pipes?
A12: The headers themselves are a direct bolt-on fit to the engine. However, since this is a universal swap application designed to fit many different classic vehicles (Corvette, Bel Air, Nomad, etc.), you will need to weld or clamp the included 3-bolt collector reducers to your vehicle's specific downstream exhaust piping. This custom tailpipe connection is standard procedure for any LS engine swap project.
Q13: Why is the price of FLASHARK LS swap headers so much lower than other major brands?
A13: Unlike luxury boutique brands that mark up their prices by 300% to cover distributor networks and massive marketing budgets, FLASHARK operates on a direct-to-consumer model. We manufacture our exhaust headers in-house and pass the savings directly to you. You get the same heavy-duty 16-gauge T304 stainless steel, 3/8" thick flanges, and precision TIG welding at a fraction of the cost.