For Your Street Motors: Who Here Chose Manifolds And Who Here Chose Headers?

[TorRed]

Looks like a 60/40 split in favor of headers so far. Thanks for everyone's input, it's helped me hone in on what I want to do now with this numbers matching motor; nothing too extreme, stock looking but a little more oomph than the original 335 HP.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Has anybody asked if you HAVE manifolds?
If you have manifolds run em. If you DONT?
Headers, all the way. Prices asked for hp manifolds are nuts.

Good question. I just assumed has manifolds. Shame on me.

 

[Cojohnso1]

I recently confirmed with TTI, that (at least for my 68 Coronet) if you want to switch to their headers from Stock manifolds with down pipes, the starting point of the rest of the exhaust (near the bellhousing) is in the same location so it shouldn't require modification. What I mean is, the main body of their kits are the same whether you intend to run headers or cast manifolds with downpipes. In my case I don't have to change anything from the area of the bellhousing back when switching from 440 HP manifolds (on a 440) and downpipes, to a 400 with their long tube headers.

If you can get sound difference vid of both Manifolds and TTI headers? That would be cool. And helpful. We shouldn't kid ourselves that "Sound" is not important.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I just rewatched Nick's Garage test of a slightly warmed over 383 (slightly hotter cam, true 9.4/1 compression, Ede Performer intake, bowl blended heads) on that motor headers added a whopping 19 HP & 18 TQ peaking at 402 HP & 422 TQ. Manifolds were 383 HP & 404 ft/lb of TQ. Not zero difference, but not a whole lot either. I could probably get over 400 HP if I had the heads worked on, ran a little more cam and upped the compression to 9.6-9.8 to 1. 400+ HP out of a stock appearing 383 sounds pretty sweet!

I'll take 5% increase along with a gas mileage increase. For what? Not having to pull a torsion bar to swap a mini starter? I'll take that 15-20 min of aggravation for the benefit.

 

[BSB67]

You will have to choose based on your personal priorities blended with your budget.

Do you have a performance objective?

You will give up hp with manifolds. But, how much hp would you like? If you are putting together a motor, you can build around the manifolds to get the most from it, and maybe that’s enough?

You can very easily make 500+ hp with manifolds and a stroker motor. But that same motor might make 530+ hp with headers. A 500 hp B Body is a pretty quick street car, but 530 hp will be a little quicker.

You get the point.

 

[tmaleck]

I ended up up with closed chamber aftermarket aluminum heads with angle plugs. My Tti headers give me plenty of room for plug changes. I don't care so much about the power, but no point leaving it on the table.

 

[Black_Sheep]

I’ve always been a Hot Rod guy, so for me it’s headers…

 

[gtxrt]

the bigger the cam over stock the more power you will get with headers.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I hate headers, maybe because I last had headers on cars in the 80's and admittedly, they weren't top quality because I didn't have a lot to spend. Hated the heat, the frequent leaks, burnt plug wires, etc.

Headers have come a long ways since then.

 

[496 polara]

Headers are my preference in the quest for the most my engine could produce.
That being said if I had a car with manifolds and it needed nothing then I would have no problem running them.
I would also rather have a better intake manifold and better heads with manifolds than stock heads and intake with headers.

 

[Big Al's GTX]

Manifolds on my 69 GTX 440

 

[Purepony]

I vote manifolds. Once they’re on no issues, no leaks no ground clearance issues, etc I’ve seen a lot of people deal with headers and the issues they come with but that’s my take

 

[casey henson]

I had the same decision to make recently on my Cordoba with a 400 in it . I have had many cars with headers on them. Most times I consider it a must to have headers. My first car in 1982 was a Challenger with a 400 and hooker super comp headers. On this car i decided to buy new reproduction HP manifolds and used TTi down pipes with full exhaust out the back.
I could not be happier. The HP manifolds are incredibly easy to install and the TTI pipes fit nice. Power wise I have seen Nick get a max of 420 out of HP manifolds a few times.

 

[old guys rule]

2 have headers, and 2 have cast manifolds, so I chose none of the options. As I a morph into a old man I have less and less tolerance for dealing with headers on big block B mopars.

Exactly. And the ticking I can do without also.

 

[stillrunners]

Lost count of the new headers I have laying around unused.....both LA nad BB......hopefully when I build the truck it will get a pair.

 

[Jam72]

My 72 Charger project has headers but I will replace them with stock manifolds. Dont like the downsides with headers and power is not an issue with this old guy. May be difficult to remove the left header without lifting the engine, or perhaps pulling the dipstick tube if that is practical.

 

[Charlie71rt]

I’m not a racer just a shower, 9 out of 10 Mopars I see manifolds. 9 out of 10 General Motors headers, some of the GM are nut and bolt hose clamp OE restorations but still headers I don’t know if it’s a mental thing or their manifolds are really bad. I have manifolds.

 

[Austin Charger]

Helps a bit with weight. Also have AL heads, intake, water pump. It is a 528 (4.15 X 4.5). Total weight with me, full tank, dana 60 and spare tire is 4100 lbs. '71 charger.

 

[Houle #382]

I've been trying to decide whether to go with HP manifolds or headers on my 383. I'm still deciding whether to stroke it or not, but I'm heavily leaning towards a mostly stock appearing car & motor. I google imaged "Roadrunner Motor" and was very surprised that most of the pics had manifolds, only a few with headers. I know I'll lose a lot of HP/TQ which is why I'd consider stroking it. This is my first poll so let's see if it works, but which way did you go with your street car? Any details as to why, what other choices you made for the motor based on manifolds, etc. would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,
Jim

I have a mild built 440 and I'm running the stock HP exhaust manifolds and she runs very strong. If your car is going to be a streetcar and never see the strip don't waste your money on headers. For one they are prone to leak and the HP gain just isn't worth it especially for a streetcar.