Auto Parts: hooker or flowtech

Question
Me and my dad were talking about what brand headers to buy for that 351w and he said hooker is the brand he would buy. The only thing is that I can get a set of flowtech shortys cheaper than the hooker. they would be shipped to auto zone so i dont have to pay the shipping. that makes them even more affortable. I have all that 4 wheel drive stuff so I think they will fit with no problem. They are close to the same size as the stock exhaust manifolds.

Answer
    I'm afraid I have to go with your Dad on this.  Hooker has been in the business a long time and really knows their stuff.  But you should be able to buy them locally from someone, either a truck shop or a speed shop.  Summit has pretty good prices on them although you do have to pay shipping.  I'm not a big fan of the shorty headers.  They first used them on Mustang 5.0s when they had to hook up to the OE exhaust.  Now the OEM Ford manifolds look like a set of high-dollar stainless shorty headers, which is what they are.  Full-length headers give you the torque boost that you are buying headers for.  There is a reason the tubes are that long, it enhances the scavenging power of the pressure pulses in the tubes.  Also, although most people attach the reducer for the exhaust directly to the header flange, you would be best if you continued the collector diameter for at least 12 inches before fitting the reducer.  If you can manage a crossover tube, that's a good idea, too.  Having a custom exhaust built at a muffler shop would be a good idea, unless you are just going to come out in front of the rear wheels.  A good way to put in the crossover tube is to build the exhaust without the tube first.  Then paint the pipes from the collectors back about three feet on the sides facing the driveshaft with regular engine paint.  Run the engine hard up and down the street a few times and then put the truck back on the lift.  There will be a spot on each pipe where the paint is burned the worst.  That's where the crossover needs to be attached to get the best tuning results.  It's an old hot rod trick and it works.  Have fun.