should I use manifolds or headers????????

[nelsontoddpa]

What a timely posting. I was going to ask the same question as I am in the planning stages to do a fairly mild build on my '67 Cornet 318. Going to use a cast iron manifold, going to a 4bbl; mild block work, rings, valves etc.... I originally thought headers were the way to go but recently I decided to keep the stock look with the manifolds. The car is a daily driver and I'm not into the racing bit-- I just like a little power to pass other cars on the 2 lane highways I travel a lot.
Thanks to all for all of the opinions! I'm learning a ton.

 

[383man]

Unless you run a class that you have to run manifolds then I would definetly run headers. Its a performance advantage that your just giving up running manifolds. Ron

 

[theman440]

I say manifolds - my convertible had headers on it for 30 years, yea it sounded cool but the leaks, burned up plugwires, "clearancing" starter removal gets old. Not to mention all the popping and banging noises from the header tubes hitting the torsion bars everytime you stomp on it. I recently put HP manifolds on it and sounds much the same except there is more resonation. Headers don't really help until 4 or 5000 rpm anyway - how much time will you spend above that RPM range on the street? But you can't beat the sound of headers. I'd go with TTI or CPPA if you decide to go with headers (they fit the best) I've got 20 year old CPPA headers on my race car and they work and are high quality. Good luck.

 

[kdtjb]

Racing = Headers/ street = manifolds, But I hardly ever practice what I preach. Because headers look better than manifolds. They can leak, manifolds are more solid. I think they (manifolds) are less problematic. IMHO

 

[IQ52]

Yes, you should use headers or manifolds. If you don't there is gunna be so much noise yer gwina haf some cop givven youse a ticket!

 

[696pack]

Here are my thoughts.

Yes, headers will give you more power and if you are trying to be very competitive on the track they are a must.

On the street and regular driving maybe some stop light action the factory hipo manifolds will be just fine.

The bad about headers is they are for ever loosing up, always look bad even with ceramic coating after a while, usually require tweeking to install and are just a general pain in the a$$.

Manifold you install and it is over. The hi temp paint seems to last longer on them too.

 

[696pack]

The FAST guys get their manifolds Extrune Honed-they flow as good as headers after that
http://www.extrudehone.com/auto/auto-performance.php

I think my friend had called these guys and the price was around $400 to smooth and hog out your manifolds.
(I'm not sure on the exact price)

I spoke with Ed Cook who has the fastest 6 pack car in F.A.S.T. and he said they tried both the extruded manifolds and stock and said there was no noticable difference and would never spend the money for it again.

 

[383man]

One thing also is headers are much better now then in the 70's as you can see my headers have a nice thick flange and they never leak. Back in the 70's many had thin flanges that would warp and leak. I never have to retighten my header bolts and have no problem with plug wires either. Ron

 

[robinsonwr]

In the process of building a 440/512: 11:1 compression, Stealth headed, 620 lift hydraulic roller, Weiand 8009 dual plane with HP manifolds. I want the stock appearance is the reason for the manifolds. The engine will be painted turquoise with either dual snorkel air cleaner or unsilenced. All my cars have had headers in the past but this build will be a driver without the importance of all out performance. My 66' Satellite will even sport the stock hubcaps. I am not against headers just want to try a different route this time. I have ported and smoothed out the 68' HP manifolds to help the power but I am sure it will not make much difference.

 

[tpodwdog]

call me stupid but i really see no reason to have headers. if you look at stock manifolds,,,vs. headers....it seems to me that the manifolds are better....they dont have all those tubes to flow in, twisting around all over the place...its pretty much a straight shot to the exit . i had headers on my 1st road runner and all they were was a major pain in the *** ! the only advantage i see is that they look cool!

 

[tpodwdog]

I'd go with the manifolds. I've never noticed a ton of difference in power between the two and I've never had a set of headers that didn't leak... plus I like the look of the manifolds better in most cases..

i like how this guy thinks!:headbang:

 

[383man]

Headers will always make more power because them tubes all over flow way better then any exh manifold does. If you dont make a good bit more power just bolting headers on its because the tune is way off and it needs to be richer just to start.

Its really simple..........the headers will always make your car a little faster but of course are not stock looking. So you just need to decide if you want every bit of power you can get from your eng. If you are not worried about the most power and prefer the manifolds then by all means run the manifolds. If you look at the pic of the header flange thickness in the pic I posted a few post back you will see headers have nice thick flanges now a days and dont leak all the time like in the 70's. In fact since 2006 I have never had one single header gasket leak on my 63 and I do race it some.

For me its simple as I like the HP and since they make very nice looking headers I will go for the headers everytime on my hotrod. My dailey driver will have manifolds. Ron

 

[wedgie]

Ron is exactly right. When I pulled my headers in favor of HP manifolds, my mixture was really fat, before any other changes. Jetted down and the thing runs great. Never going back to headers for the street. My race car is a different story though.

 

[Ron 73]

I always liked the headers and i agree they may give a bit more breathing and power but my car isint a racer, far from that! but it came with what appeared to be close to new full headers and i left them on because it saved me some money not having to find and buy stock manifolds for my little 318. But when its time to change them i have a set ready and that for the life of myself or the car, kind of the same thing in my case Just my cents worth, as cheap headers such as i believe mine are, rust fast and burn out and don't see any real need to keep replacing them for street driving and fun.

 

[65 Plymouth Satellite 426]

Definitely Headers!

 

[snakeoil24]

Manifolds are less head aches. They don't sounds as good. Hooker headers don't fit well. Starters last longer with Manifolds. Weight the pros and cons. Headers need copper gaskets and still loosen up. remember sealant on bolts too.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ron,

If you don't mind. What kinda spring compressor is that and where can I get one? Thanks.

One thing also is headers are much better now then in the 70's as you can see my headers have a nice thick flange and they never leak. Back in the 70's many had thin flanges that would warp and leak. I never have to retighten my header bolts and have no problem with plug wires either. Ron

 

[tpodwdog]

Ron,

If you don't mind. What kinda spring compressor is that and where can I get one? Thanks.

i think thats a BINFORD 2000 super-duper-deeeeeee-luxxe "for Mopars only" .........thing:hello2:

 

[Lowhound]

Years ago I sold my factory manifolds & opted for headers. Now I have chosen to throw out the headers in favor of the factory manifolds. I paid 3 times as much for the manifolds this time than as I sold them for long ago. Headers look nice but in my opinion arent worth the trouble unless you only intend on driving 1/8-1/4 mile at a time. If you do decide to go with the headers dont make the mistake that I did. Keep your manifolds put away for when you decide to change them back.

 

[ga66mopar]

I installed hedman elite headers on my 66 belv with a 440 two years. I have not touch them since. I was not happy with them at first because I had to install a mini starter. I used a good header gasket and some high temp lock washers on the header bolts. After 2000 miles and two years I haven't had any bolts loosen up and no leaks. I have a set of hi-po exhaust mans ready if I ever need them.
I want to be ready, you never know when a chevelle might catch you at a red light