Cost Considerations for Custom Headers

     A limitless budget may be worthy of dreams for many performance vehicle builders, but the need to source parts and services that are reasonably priced is an issue every builder is bound to face at one point or another. Fortunately, the availability of affordable parts is increasing with the emergence of greater numbers of machinists and other professionals, and a shop trusted for the quality of its materials and production is likely to be trustworthy for offering fair pricing, as well. Custom headers, desirable in a large number of performance vehicle projects, may scare away some potential buyers due to large initial quotes, but such units can help builders stay on-budget when the source is well-chosen.

     The specific cost of a set of custom headers is bound to vary wildly depending on the type of vehicle in question, the materials used, and any add-ons or accessories desired by the builder. Vehicles that employ larger and more complex engines are of course candidates for higher-priced headers, and special requirements such as turbo components or specialized collectors can easily add to the costs of an order.

     Any shop interested in providing its customers with well-made and long-lasting custom headers and/or mandrel bends should feel comfortable discussing quotes with shoppers, and may even offer basic pricing guidelines on a website or over the phone. Providing a machinist or other professional with information about the vehicle’s cylinder number and other specifics can help in the creation of an accurate quote, though in most cases, a shop will need to actually receive the customer’s mockup or observe the vehicle on-site to provide an exact cost.

     While builders may be reticent to order extra options and accessories on custom headers due to their additional costs, it’s important to keep in mind that ordering such items during the creation of the headers themselves, and from the same shop, is likely to result in an overall discount. Should extra parts be desired later on, builders may face paying larger costs –not to mention enduring decreased visual appeal due to discrepancies in material or product wear.

     As with any performance vehicle component, custom headers should be purchased only when a builder is certain they’ve received a fair quote, yet at the same time, choosing a configuration, material, and manufacturer right for the job should supersede cost considerations to allow for truly superior performance.