Lemons Headers
Lemons Headers is a privately held, handcrafted custom exhaust header manufacturer founded in 1997 in Paso Robles, California, serving individual Chevy drag racers, Pro Tour enthusiasts, and marine racing customers worldwide via direct-to-consumer sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersPaso Robles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lemons Headers does
Lemons Headers is a privately held custom exhaust header manufacturer founded in 1997 by Dan and Kathy Lemons and headquartered in Paso Robles, California. The company produces handcrafted, made-to-order headers exclusively for Chevrolet vehicles, spanning three core product lines: Big Block and Small Block Racing Headers (BBR/SBR) for drag racing, Pro Tour Headers (BBPT/SBPT) for street performance, and specialty Marine/V-Boat headers. Each header is built to customer-supplied measurements using a proprietary jig program developed over 25+ years, enabling remote ordering and international shipping without requiring the vehicle to be present at the shop. Lead times are 8–12 weeks, with rush options available; final-sale policy is enforced due to the labor-intensive custom nature of the work.
The underlying technology is a hand-fabrication process supported by hundreds of custom jigs covering multiple Chevy engine and chassis combinations, allowing precise tube sizing up to 2.5 inches and collector sizes up to 5–6 inches in either mild steel (with high-temp black paint) or stainless steel. Customers are predominantly individual automotive enthusiasts and racers across the drag racing, Pro Tour, classic restoration, and marine segments. Pricing for Pro Tour headers ranges from $2,250 to $4,500 per unit, with higher-end racing configurations commanding higher prices. GTM is direct-to-consumer via phone, email, in-shop visits, and a basic e-commerce storefront, with international shipping to the US, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
In 2022, Lemons Headers joined the BA-LNE group of companies, creating a parent-subsidiary relationship intended to expand production capacity and product lines. The company launched Motor Mount Stands at SEMA 2025 as its first non-header product category, signaling incremental product-line diversification beyond the core header business. No venture capital or private equity investment has been disclosed, and the company operates with approximately 5 employees.
Lemons Headers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lemons Headers
- Legal name
- Lemon Headers Inc.
- Website
- https://lemonsheaders.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lemons Headers is a privately held, handcrafted custom exhaust header manufacturer founded in 1997 in Paso Robles, California, serving individual Chevy drag racers, Pro Tour enthusiasts, and marine racing customers worldwide via direct-to-consumer sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lemons Headers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Performance Parts - Custom Exhaust Headers
- NAICS
- Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336310), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631)
- SIC
- Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies (3711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Refrigerant Lines, Hoses & Thermal Plumbing (IMACALAG)
Keywords
Where Lemons Headers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paso Robles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lemons Headers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Headers: One-time purchase of custom handcrafted exhaust headers for Chevy vehicles. Each header is made-to-order based on customer specifications and measurements.
- Accessories and Add-ons: Additional products including ceramic coating services (through third-party), headers add-on options, and cross members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Tour Headers - BBPT Series |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Tour Headers - SBPT Series |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lemons Headers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lemons Headers specializes in handcrafted, 100% custom-made exhaust headers for Chevrolet vehicles, built one at a time based on customer-provided measurements. The company produces headers for small block, big block, and LS Chevy engines across multiple product lines including Racing Headers (BBR/SBR series), Pro Tour Headers (BBPT/SBPT/LSPT series), and specialty Marine/V-Boat headers, available in stainless steel or mild steel with optional ceramic coating and accessories such as collector mufflers, chrome moly cross members, and motor mount stands.
Product overview
Lemons Headers is a custom header manufacturer producing handcrafted, made-to-order exhaust headers exclusively for Chevy vehicles. The core product offering consists of Custom Headers built to individual customer specifications, supported by three main product lines: Racing Headers (BBR/SBR series) for drag racing applications, Pro Tour Headers (BBPT/SBPT/LSPT series) for street performance, and specialty Marine Headers for jet boats and V-drive applications. Headers are available in mild steel (with high-temp black paint) or stainless steel, with optional collector mufflers and chrome moly cross members. The company recently expanded its product portfolio with Motor Mount Stands introduced at SEMA 2025. All products are manufactured to order with an 8-12 week lead time and ship worldwide from Paso Robles, California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Headers Handcrafted, made-to-order custom headers designed for specific vehicle applications. Each header is built based on customer measurements and specifications, featuring perfect fit for spark plug clearance and exhaust sealing. Available in mild steel (with high-temp black paint) and stainless steel.
- Racing Headers (BBR Series) Big block and small block race headers designed for drag racing applications. Available in multiple configurations for stock chassis and front clips (TCI, Chris Alston, Heidts, Smith Race Craft, AJE, Martz, Checkered Racing), with options for tube sizes up to 2.5 inches and collector sizes up to 5 or 6 inches.
- Pro Tour Headers (BBPT/SBPT Series) Headers designed for pro-touring and street performance applications. Compatible with various chassis including Detroit Speed & Engineering, Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Heidts, Martz, Smith Racecraft, and Checkered Racing front clips. Available for big block, small block, and LS engines across multiple Chevy models. Priced from $2,250 to $4,500.
- Small Block Chevy Headers Long tube headers for small block Chevy engines including LS-series applications. Feature extended primary tubes that merge into collectors for improved scavenging and mid-to-high RPM power gains. Available in stainless steel and mild steel finishes.
- Big Block Chevy Headers Custom headers for big block Chevy engines. Available for multiple generations including '55-'57 Chevy, '61-'64 X-Frame, '62-'67 Chevy II, '63-'82 Corvette, and more.
- Custom & Jet Boat Headers Custom headers for marine applications including jet boat and V-drive configurations. Expansion into non-automotive markets since 2009.
- Motor Mount Stands Adjustable motor mount stands debuted at SEMA 2025, designed to solve a longtime problem for automotive enthusiasts and professional builders. New product category expanding beyond headers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40 HP gain reported by customer on 1972 Camaro with 632 engine
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lemons Headers
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lemons Headers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Lemons Headers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Pat Musi Racing EnginesflagshipLemons Headers serves as the Official Header of Pat Musi Racing Engines, a premier racing engine builder. This partnership provides visibility in the racing community and validates the product quality at high-performance levels.
- Don Nelson's California HustlercoreSponsorship renewal in 2024 for the California Hustler racing team with driver Kamaka Pocock. Provides brand exposure in drag racing competitions.
- Tony Foti / LAPD Racing TeamcorePartnership supporting Tony Foti and the LAPD Racing Team, rekindling a race legacy with strong community connection.
- PSCA (Professional Street Car Association)minorContingency sponsor for PSCA racing events only. Limited sponsorship program due to small shop size.
- BA-LNE Group of CompaniescoreJoined BA-LNE group of companies in 2022 to expand production and product lines, enabling growth and scaling of operations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lemons Headers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Doug's Headers: Long-standing aftermarket header manufacturer with classic Chevy applications. Competes in the same custom-fit header category at generally lower price points than Lemons.
- Kooks Headers: Premium custom header manufacturer focused on GM, Ford, and Mopar V8s in stainless steel. Directly comparable to Lemons on made-to-order, premium-priced Chevy headers and racing pedigree.
- Hooker Headers: Holley Performance brand offering a broad line of aftermarket headers including custom and specialty Chevy applications. Competes directly with Lemons in the made-to-order and high-performance V8 header market.
- Stainless Works: Custom stainless steel header and exhaust manufacturer for GM, Ford, and Mopar. Direct competitor in custom-fit Chevy headers with similar premium positioning.
- Patriot Exhaust: Aftermarket header and exhaust manufacturer with Chevy-specific fitments. Comparable to Lemons as a custom-fit header alternative for classic and pro-touring Chevy builds.
- Schoenfeld Headers: Custom race header specialist serving IMCA, dirt late model, and drag racing. Overlaps directly with Lemons' built-to-order header proposition for Chevy engines in sanctioned racing.
Broad incumbents
- Flowmaster (Holley): Established performance exhaust brand offering headers, mufflers, and full systems. Operates broadly across the V8 aftermarket, with overlap in Chevy header applications.
- Dynacorn Classic Bodies: Broad classic Chevy restoration parts supplier offering reproduction bodies, chassis components, and accessories. Adjacent competitor serving the same classic Chevy restoration customer base as Lemons, though not header-specific.
Emerging players
- Detroit Speed Engineering: Pro-touring chassis and component specialist whose front clips are explicitly compatible with Lemons' Pro Tour header line. Serves the same pro-touring Chevy enthusiast customer base.
- Chris Alston's Chassisworks: Aftermarket chassis and front-clip manufacturer explicitly listed by Lemons as a compatible partner for its Pro Tour headers. Competes for the same pro-touring build dollar on complementary components.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lemons Headers social profiles
Digital presenceLemons Headers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lemons Headers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Lemons Headers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lemons Headers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lemons Headers
What does Lemons Headers do?
Lemons Headers specializes in handcrafted, 100% custom-made exhaust headers for Chevrolet vehicles, built one at a time based on customer-provided measurements. The company produces headers for small block, big block, and LS Chevy engines across multiple product lines including Racing Headers (BBR/SBR series), Pro Tour Headers (BBPT/SBPT/LSPT series), and specialty Marine/V-Boat headers, available in stainless steel or mild steel with optional ceramic coating and accessories such as collector mufflers, chrome moly cross members, and motor mount stands.
Is Lemons Headers a public or private company?
Lemons Headers is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Lemons Headers founded?
Lemons Headers was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lemons Headers based?
Lemons Headers is headquartered in Paso Robles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lemons Headers make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Headers are the primary driver. The others are accessories and Add-ons.
Who are Lemons Headers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Doug's Headers, Kooks Headers, Hooker Headers, Stainless Works, Patriot Exhaust and Schoenfeld Headers. Broad incumbents are Flowmaster (Holley) and Dynacorn Classic Bodies. Emerging players are Detroit Speed Engineering and Chris Alston's Chassisworks.
Does Lemons Headers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lemons Headers.
What industry is Lemons Headers in?
Lemons Headers's product category is Automotive Performance Parts - Custom Exhaust Headers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACALAG, Automotive Refrigerant Lines, Hoses & Thermal Plumbing. Its NAICS code is 336310 and its SIC code is 3711.