Lightning Water Jacketed Freshwater & Saltwater Headers
LIGHTNING PERFORMANCE
When comparing performance exhaust systems it's good to understand the different systems on the market today and the performance demands of your
engine. Understanding how a header works will help you decide on which exhaust system is best suited for your application.
Headers have two basic functions. First is to simply relieve back pressure. For example, when looking at a manifold you see a 4" diameter exhaust hose, but the
actual exhaust gas opening is about 2-1/2" diameter. Most performance manifolds and some header manufacturers use a 4" exhaust hose and 3" or 3-1/2" OD exhaust
gas tube. All of these headers use a 4" OD exhaust gas tube and a 5" water jacket tube until the water gets introduced into the exhaust gas stream, then it gets
reduced from 5" to its 4" exhaust hose diameter. At no time does the exhaust gases see a diameter smaller than 4" OD. When looking at these exhaust gas openings
consider their area not their diameter. For example, a 4" OD opening has an area of approximately 12.56 sq. in. A 3-1/2" opening has an area of approximately 9.62 sq. in.
That is 25% smaller! A 3" opening is approximately 7.06 sq. in. and a 2-1/2" opening is approximately 4.90 sq. in. which is 60% smaller.
LIGHTNING HORSE POWER COMPARISON
Performance figures on headers vary considerably. As a rule, the higher horsepower engines benefit more than the lower horsepower engines. For example, the 330
hp Mercury engine will gain approximately 50 to 75 rpm, where as the 365 hp Mercury engine will gain approximately 300 to 400 rpm (45 hp). Blown engines gain up
to 800 rpm (80 hp). Of course this is comparing these headers against stock Mercury center rise manifolds.
LIGHTNING CONSTRUCTION
Our Magnum header starts with Mandrel bent 316L stainless steel interior tubes. The exterior tubes are Mandrel bent heavy wall steel tube (.074). The tubes are
then mechanically etched by sand blasting and then assembled. Finally, a corrosion resistant silicone ceramic coating is applied to the interior of the header while the
exterior receives a powder coat finish.
ALL THIS PLUS THE BEST 2-YEAR WARRANTY IN THE INDUSTRY
Click on the part number to
check pricing or place an order.
Lightning Marine - Magnum Stainless Wet Header System
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For those of you searching for a superb value in a long tube
Stainless Steel header, this is it! The Magnum Stainless Steel header uses Mandrel
bent 316L stainless steel on the interior and exterior tubes. The header is tig welded with a custom alloy welding rod to help
prevent cracking. After assembly the entire header is stress relieved, annealed,
and heat-treated to maximize its corrosive resistance. The standard finish is satin and polishing is available as an option.
The system is sold with gaskets, bolts, and hardware. EFI applications require ECU reprogramming.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40300 |
Big Block
Chevy Mercury All Stainless Steel System 36" Wide Black Finish |
310-40301 |
Big Block
Chevy Mercury All Stainless Steel System 36" Wide Polished Finish |
310-40310 |
Big Block
Chevy Mercury All Stainless Steel System 33" Narrow Black Finish |
310-40314 |
Big Block
Chevy Mercury All Stainless Steel System 33" Narrow Polished Finish |
310-40352 |
S/B Chevy 350-Larger SS System |
310-40309 |
B/B 496 8.1L All Stainless Steel Mercury Standard
Satin Finish |
310-40316 |
B/B 496 8.1L All Stainless Steel Mercury Polished
Finish |
310-40400 |
Big Block
Chevy Jet All Stainless Steel System 36" Wide Satin Finish |
310-40401 |
Big Block
Chevy Jet All Stainless Steel System 36" Wide Polished Finish |
310-40450 |
Big Block
Chevy All Stainless Steel System with Stainless Dry Tail Pipe
36" Wide Satin Finish |
310-40451 |
Big Block
Chevy All Stainless Steel System with Stainless Dry Tailpipe
36" Wide Polished Finish |
310-40420 |
Optional Mercury Shift Bracket Provision Welded to Header |
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Lightning Marine -
Standard Jacketed Header
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These headers are designed to be a replacement for Mercury, OMC or jet manifolds.
However, they terminate approximately 8" aft of stock manifolds and are projected to meet the
exhaust tips providing they are in the stock location. Headers will have about 1/2" clearance
between header and tall Moroso valve covers. Headers come complete with bolts, gaskets, water
fittings, pet cocks, etc. (less 4" hose and 4" hose clamps). Factory oil filter requires relocation.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40303 |
Big Block
Chevy Jet Drive 36" Wide |
310-40304 |
Big Block
Chevy 454-502 Merc 36" Wide |
310-40302 |
Big Block
Chevy 454-502 Merc 32" Wide
(Used in some twin engine applications) |
310-40308 |
496 8.1L Mercury Standard Application |
310-40330 |
S/B Chevy 350 Mercury 31" Wide |
310-40306 |
460 FORD OMC Misc 36" Wide (uses billet adapters) |
310-40307 |
460 FORD Jet 36" Wide (uses billet adapters) |
310-40356 |
LS1 Chevy Mercury |
310-40355 |
LS1 Chevy Jet |
310-40420 |
Optional Merc Shift Bracket
Precision Welded to Header |
310-40423 |
Optional EFI Module Bracket welded on |
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Lightning Marine - Below Swim Platform Low Port Exit Jacketed System
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These headers are designed to be a replacement for Mercury, OMC or jet manifolds when
the exhaust ports are mounted low in the boat. For example, under the swim step or when
elbows are used with the stock manifolds. Headers will have about 1/2" clearance between header
and tall Moroso valve covers. Headers come complete with bolts, gaskets, water fittings, pet
cocks, 4" elbows for bottom, etc. (less 4" hose and 4" hose clamps). Factory oil filter
requires relocation.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40311 |
454/502 Chevy Low Port Headers 36" Wide |
310-40312 |
454/502 Chevy Low Port Headers 33" Wide
(Used in some twin engine applications) |
310-40332 |
S/B Chevy 350 Low Port Header 31" Wide |
310-40315 |
460 Ford Low Port Headers 36" Wide (uses billet adapters) |
310-40420 |
Optional Merc Shift Bracket Precision Welded to Header |
310-40423 |
Optional EFI Module Bracket welded on |
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Lightning Marine - Silent Choice Jacketed Header System
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Our 40322, 40324 and 40326 headers incorporate the end of the header with the silent choice
valve. The 40322 uses the air operated actuators from the Mercury valves. The 40324 and 40326 uses
electric solenoids supplied to operate the valves. Headers will have about 1/2" clearance between header
and tall Moroso valve covers. Headers come complete with bolts, gaskets, water fittings, pet cocks,
exhaust valves, 5" hose and clamps (less 4" hose and 4" hose clamps). Note: you cannot operate HP
engines at high rpm's with valve shut. Factory oil filter requires relocation.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40324 |
Mercury Silent Choice Big Block
Chevy 36" Wide |
310-40420 |
Optional Merc Shift Bracket Precision Welded to Header |
310-40423 |
Optional EFI Module Bracket welded on |
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Lightning Marine - Reduced Water Distribution Header
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Reduced water helps reduce reversion by reducing
exhaust stream water. Only enough water enters the exhaust to
keep hoses, etc. cool. The remainder gets dumped overboard via a
3/4" fitting at the end of header. This is the only option that will help
the silent choice system. Oil filter requires relocation.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40305 |
BBC 36" Wide Reduced Water Headers |
310-40420 |
Optional Merc Shift Bracket Precision Welded to Header |
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Lightning Marine - Dry Tailpipe Header System
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Dry stainless steel jacketed
tailpipes eliminate reversion totally. 4-1/2" diameter tail pipe protrudes
past transom approximately 6", jacketed. Can be designed to exit water
prior to transom or at end of tip. Very, very loud.
Part
No. |
Description |
310-40407 |
BBC Jacketed Headers with Stainless Dry Pipe |
310-40420 |
Optional Merc Shift Bracket Precision Welded to Header |
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Lightning Marine - Header Options
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Part
No. |
Description |
CUSTOM NON-STANDARD
MERCURY HEADERS - PLEASE CALL FOR INFO
This option is when a custom header has to be built to
line up exhaust port locations. Alterations in height or width. |
310-40412 |
Alter Exhaust Exit from Standard Location |
PRE-HEAT ENGINE
WATER OPTION - PLEASE CALL FOR INFO
The header is divided into two compartments. Water
first enters bottom of headers then is removed thru 1/2"
fittings at the very top. Then water enters inlets of block. This
is for the uses without a thermostat. |
310-40421 |
Pre-heat Engine Water Option |
REDUCED WATER IN
EXHAUST STREAM - PLEASE CALL FOR INFO
Helps reduce reversion by reducing exhaust
stream water. Only enough water enters the exhaust stream
to keep hose, etc. cool. The remainder gets dumped overboard thru a 3/4" dump at the end of the header. |
310-40427 |
Reduce Water Option |
CUSTOM POWDERCOAT
COLORS - PLEASE CALL FOR INFO |
310-40500 |
Custom Color Option To Header |
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