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The Buick 400/455 big block is a niche enough application that only a handful of companies still build headers for it, and most bolt-on long-tubes are direct-fit only for the 1968-72 A-body (Skylark/GS/Sport Wagon) chassis. These six are real, currently available options spanning bolt-on steel long-tubes, a shorty, two TA Performance tube-diameter options, and a fully custom stainless build kit for owners whose car or budget doesn’t fit the bolt-on mold. Note: Buick’s own Nailhead V8 (364-425) and the Oldsmobile 400-455 are different engine families that happen to share displacement numbers with the Buick big block — headers for those don’t fit here, which is why several well-known header brands don’t appear on this list.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doug’s Headers D202 1-7/8″ Long Tube Header | $600-$700 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Hooker Super Competition Long Tube Header (1203HKR) | $780-$850 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | TA Performance Competition Header (TA_2012CH) | $500-$650 | Amazon |
| 4 | TA Performance Super Competition Header (TA_2012SCH) | $550-$700 | Amazon |
| 5 | Sanderson Headers Shorty/Center-Dump Header for Buick 455 | $350-$550 | Amazon |
| 6 | Stainless Headers Pro Series Buick 400/430/455 Custom Header Build Kit | $690-$740 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Doug’s Headers D202 1-7/8″ Long Tube Header
A proven 4-tube full-length header built specifically for the 1968-72 Buick Skylark/GS 400-455, with a choice of coating.
- 1-7/8″ primary tubes, 3″ collector
- Direct fit for 1968-72 Buick A-body chassis (Skylark, GS, Sport Wagon)
- Available in raw steel, Hi-Temp Black, or Metallic Ceramic coating
- Long-standing, widely used design in the Buick GS community
- Coating options let you match budget to finish preference
- Fitment is specific to the 1968-72 A-body chassis, not full-size Buicks
Hooker Super Competition Long Tube Header (1203HKR)
Hooker’s long-tube header for the same 1968-72 Skylark/GS/Wagon 400-455 application, in painted finish.
- 1.875″ O.D. primary tubes, 3″ O.D. collector
- Painted finish
- Fits 1968-1972 Buick Skylark/Gran Sport/Wagons with 400-455 engines
- Well-known header brand with a long track record
- Similar fitment envelope to Doug’s, giving a second sourcing option
- Pricier than the Doug’s raw-steel version
TA Performance Competition Header (TA_2012CH)
A Buick-specialist parts house’s full-length header for the 400-430-455, sized for street/strip use.
- 1-7/8″ primary tubes, 3-1/2″ collector
- Rated for roughly 35-40 HP gain over stock manifolds on 400-500 HP combinations
- Sold raw finish direct from TA Performance, a dedicated Buick engine-parts specialist
- From a company that builds nothing but Buick V6/V8 performance parts
- Primary size suits a stock-to-mildly-built 455
- TA Performance doesn’t publish pricing online; treat the figure below as an estimate until you get a quote
TA Performance Super Competition Header (TA_2012SCH)
The larger-primary sibling of the TA_2012CH, aimed at a built 455 turning more RPM.
- 2″ primary tubes, 3-1/2″ collector
- Rated for roughly 10-20 HP gain over the Competition header on 500-600 HP combinations
- Same Buick-specialist sourcing as the TA_2012CH
- Bigger primaries suit a built engine the 1-7/8″ options are too small for
- Still a genuine bolt-on for the same A-body chassis
- Same pricing-transparency caveat as the TA_2012CH — get a current quote before ordering
Sanderson Headers Shorty/Center-Dump Header for Buick 455
A center-dump shorty from a header maker that’s built exhaust since 1964, for owners who want a shorter, tucked-in header rather than a long-tube.
- Center-dump shorty design, unlike the long-tube Doug’s/Hooker/TA options
- From Sanderson, which carries dedicated Buick 455 and big-block product pages
- Better ground clearance and easier install in a tight engine bay than a long-tube
- Only shorty-style option in this lineup, useful for a tight chassis or lower stance
- Established header manufacturer with a decades-long track record
- Sanderson doesn’t list a fixed online price for this application — confirm exact part number and price with them directly
- Shorty design gives up some of the top-end power a long-tube provides
Stainless Headers Pro Series Buick 400/430/455 Custom Header Build Kit
A mandrel-bent stainless build kit for owners on a full-size Buick chassis or engine swap that no bolt-on header covers.
- Mandrel-bent stainless tubing, sold as a weld-it-yourself kit
- Choice of 1-7/8″ or 2″ primary tube diameter
- Not chassis-specific, since it’s built to your car by a fabricator
- Works on full-size Buicks and swaps the bolt-on options don’t cover
- Stainless construction outlasts painted steel
- Requires welding/fabrication, not a bolt-in part
- Costs more than the Doug’s bolt-on option
Buying tips
- Confirm your chassis before ordering a bolt-on: the Doug’s D202, Hooker Super Competition, and both TA Performance long-tubes are built for the 1968-72 A-body (Skylark/GS/Wagon), not full-size Buicks like the LeSabre, Electra, or Riviera.
- If your car isn’t a 1968-72 A-body, the Stainless Headers custom build kit is the realistic option, but budget for welding labor on top of the kit price.
- Primary tube diameter is a flow-vs-torque tradeoff: 1-7/8″ (Doug’s, Hooker, TA_2012CH) suits a stock-to-mild 455, while 2″ primaries (TA_2012SCH, or the custom kit) suit a built engine turning more RPM.
- TA Performance and Sanderson don’t publish firm online pricing for this application — call or email for a current quote before you commit to a budget, and confirm the exact part number matches your chassis and primary-tube preference.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.