Hey all.
Im trying to decide if its worth the 260+ bucks to buy headers for my Hemi or just use the stock exhaust manifolds? I know headers flow a lot better, but if you had the stocke manifolds and ran like 3 inch pipes back, would that help unrestrict the stock manifolds some? I dont care to spend the samolias, but with the freed up Hemi's exhaust valves, I dont know if its worth it. Thanks, HG <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
just my 2 cents but go with the headers. also,get them coated if u have the $$$$. stock exhaust manifolds are the biggest restrictions,not the pipes on back. hemis are neat!
I agree with fastford, on an exhaust system you looking for velocity, not just flow. If you stick big pipes on the motor you may just slow the exhaust velocity and hurt you low rpm performance
the stock hemi cast manifolds are worth much more than a set of headders, infact the correct cast "square tube" headders are their weight worth in gold for a mopar enthusiast, i would get a set of headders that are in tune with what use you intend for the car and save the cast manifolds for when its time to sell the car,
If your wallet can't handle the headers and you have to settle for stock manifolds then try to use either the ’57-58 392 units or any of the 300 (C,D,E) series manifolds. They were a bit better and less restrictive than the manifolds that came on the 2 bbl motors and stay away from the pre ’55 small port manifolds if you can. (In ’54 Chrysler changed the port design on the heads for use in their high performance motors. The exhaust manifolds that were used prior to this design don’t flow as well.)
I'm using stock '55 C-300 manifolds on the 354 that’s going in my ‘53 Chevy pickup and since I'm not concerned about racing it won't make that much difference. Headers will add about 20 hp over the high performance manifolds, so if you really want the extra hp then you'll have to fork over the $$.
Thanks fellas.
Its not the cost Im worried about, since Im building it slow anyway, just curious as to the diff it would make.
Centerline. I see you live close to me. Id like to check out your ride when you get it done. Ever go to car shows? HG
Yep. I take my pro-street car to the NSRA Nats in Louisville every year and hit some of the local cruises in the Dayton area. Gets expensive at 10 mpg to drive that thing very far.
The pickup will be running 3.08 gears and a single 600 CFM Holley so my wallet won't take such a huge hit every time I want to go somewhere. After all it is going to be a tow truck for my deuce 3 window once that’s done so it has to be somewhat afforable.
I have gone from stock exhaust manifolds with duel exhaust to headers on 3 different cars and this was my experience. People can throw numbers at you all day but what it boiled down to was from 0 to 40 mph there was almost not difference in exceleration with the headers. From 40 to 80 mph I could tell a little difference but I had problems with the headers that I never had with the stock exhaust manifolds. Ground clearance problems, leaks, shorter life compared to stock manifolds, excessive heat transfer to the starter, making it hard to start, and the headers are usually more expensive. I would stay with stock exhaust manifolds unless you are going to the drag strip where every tenth of a second can make a difference.
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