I have a feeling though that these are old stock headers that Gary probably bought a bunch of 20 years ago and now the girls don't know what to do with them?
However, personally owning a set of them, I would hardly call them crap.
They tend to be one of the earlier sets sold and by todays standards lack some of the glitz that is available.
I always thought that it was Bob Byers who made them originally and if you look at his prices (and the patterns)the prices are about double and they look the same.
What he charges is actually about what I would expect to pay now for a new set.
The ONLY fitting mine required were the #5 or #6 tube needed a very slight flattening up against the fuel tank. EVERYTHING and I mean everything else fit the cat perfectly.
Let's face it. When I bought mine back in '86 or '87 they were intended more for racing than glitz for the street?
The pattern work I was told was done on Halls race car, which was not a slouch. They were made for A3 Motorsport heads he was running at the time and originated on the earlier iron 4v heads.
There are a lot of additional head choices now available and I am not going to get into a debate as what one is better. The only thing I will say is that is personal preference and if a customer thinks one head is better than another and that's what they will pay for, then that's the best head.
I've personally done more that a little fabrication work (and still do) and frankly, I wouldn't build anyone a set for less than about $3,000 anyway. I think that is about what they are worth to build. THEN get them coated and THEN put a muffler on them that will keep the car from getting confiscated by the locals.
I was just pointing out that Hall has them listed for $950 uncoated and without mufflers. That's all.
Not intending to step on anyone else's means of making a living at all.
As a Contractor, I am well aware of having to deal with ridiculously low priced third world competition right here in my own neighborhood.
I often say, you get what you pay for. I definitely will not argue with that. The problem often stems though from a customer who can't tell the difference in quality to begin with. Could that be me? Possibly, but I doubt it.
You want to see headers? Look at the stainless headers Holman-Moody is putting on the continuation MkIV's! Those are ridiculous! Totally outrageous!. The welds look like they were done for NASA by a robot. I asked and they won't even quote me a price for those.
Apparently if you want a set and have to ask you can't afford them and that limits you to only get them on the $950,000+, Mark IV continuation car, then do what you want with them. LOL!
For me, it's just as well. I would expect those stainless tubes to crack through the mandrel bends eventually. I'd be a very unhappy camper. Especially considering that mild steel exhaust tubing is so much easier to work with and probably better than stainless after they are ceramic coated?