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

Headers or Manifolds

  • Total voters
    205
Headers! My car had them already when i bought it so i can't tell you anything about that, But my dads stang sounds so much better and picked up in the 1/4mile before the dyno ****ed it up.
 
Stock Manifolds look cool cleaned up, easier to install, don't have to worry about clearance or it banging on the torq bars, messing up your starter, or double nutting to keep from leaking.
 
TTIs, yup, also, with your set up, probably wont see the manifolds because of the engine size and engine bay.
 
I love the max wedge cast manifolds so bought some repros....man are they heavy....shipping box said 69 lbs and there was not that much packing. I guess I can forget a light front end. I would guess headers would be half that weight.
 
Try the iron 1st

If the car is street driven, you will never run it in the RPM range where the headers will actually make any difference. Start with the cast iron & see how they perform, if you like it, than stick with the "irons" I have removed headers before and did not regret it. Also you don't have to go with Giant 3" tubes, 2-1/2" is fine for the street.
 
If you`re gonna use the outboard carbs you`re gonna want the flow of the headers, TTI`s and copper gaskets sound like the hot ticket to me
 
As I always ask, because it is paramount to an accurate answer. --- what are your goals with the car?

In the same vein, what cam are you using, stock heads?, auto or manual trans, converter stall, rear gears, other mods, etc.

Usually, headers will give you more power, but if they are too big (which most TTI's are), you will get better performance with manifolds.

On a street performance, iron headed engine, I have found that 1-3/4" chepo headers, with the collectors extended as long as is possible (up to 24" inches or so), will give a very substantial performance increase.

Stock HP manifolds will not give up anything on headers till about 4,000 RPM, and then only if the headers are not to big. The TTI step headers will cost you at least a couple of tenths unless you are running in the 7,000++ RPM range, and the 2" inchers will reduce "street" performance just slightly less on an iron headed engine.

The smaller tubes produce more power, but TTI's collectors are too short for "street" type engines.

TTI's fit well. That's all that I can say good about them. They are not a max performance header. In most "street" applications, stock HP manifolds will equal the performance, but the rest of the exhaust system will be as big a consideration as the header.

Stock manifold with 2-3/4 head pipes, 3" exhaust, generally produce more torque, and will only start falling off at the 5,000 plus range.

Like I said, what is your goals?
 
wedgie said:
I just removed the headers and installed '68 HP manifolds on my 496" six pack engine. I also wanted it to appear more "stock". I'm sure there is some, but, I can't really tell any power difference on the street, but there is a definite sound difference. That "tinny" header sound and the header leaks are gone. To me the manifolds look better too. It's also going to be easier to change starters or transmissions if the occasion arises.
Click to expand...

I agree totally. I have 440-6 in my GTX and run manifolds now...had headers for years. I prefer the look and don't miss the leaks a bit. My seat of the pants suggest better low end torque too, but can't prove it.

You could always have the insides of your manifolds coated as well, many F.A.S.T. Racers do that to improve exhaust flow on their manifolds.
 
Well, the F.A.S.T. racing format does not allow for headers and they have to run on Polyglas tires. They are running in the 10s with mainfolds on those tires. Now granted they are running up to 14 to 1 compression but obviously the exhaust manifolds are not holding them back if they can run those times on Polyglas tires.
 
q-ship said:
As I always ask, because it is paramount to an accurate answer. --- what are your goals with the car?

In the same vein, what cam are you using, stock heads?, auto or manual trans, converter stall, rear gears, other mods, etc.

Usually, headers will give you more power, but if they are too big (which most TTI's are), you will get better performance with manifolds.

On a street performance, iron headed engine, I have found that 1-3/4" chepo headers, with the collectors extended as long as is possible (up to 24" inches or so), will give a very substantial performance increase.

Stock HP manifolds will not give up anything on headers till about 4,000 RPM, and then only if the headers are not to big. The TTI step headers will cost you at least a couple of tenths unless you are running in the 7,000++ RPM range, and the 2" inchers will reduce "street" performance just slightly less on an iron headed engine.

The smaller tubes produce more power, but TTI's collectors are too short for "street" type engines.

TTI's fit well. That's all that I can say good about them. They are not a max performance header. In most "street" applications, stock HP manifolds will equal the performance, but the rest of the exhaust system will be as big a consideration as the header.

Stock manifold with 2-3/4 head pipes, 3" exhaust, generally produce more torque, and will only start falling off at the 5,000 plus range.

Like I said, what is your goals?
Click to expand...

This needs to be answered first:frozen tongue: Gotta have tailpipes!!:hehe::icon_rolleyes:
 

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IMO headers suck. Since you have both manifolds and headers, I would start with the headers; to see how you like them. If you get tired of them leaking, have a hard time making them fit, hard time pulling starter/ clutch linkage, then go to the manifolds. For a car that sees mostly street time I dont think you will see much difference between the two. q-ship is correct too, determining what your going to do with the car is important. Plus dont sell the manifolds, you can never have to many dodge parts!!!
 
I am currently at the same junction with my car. It is going to be running a stroker 470 made out of a 400 Chrysler engine.

It has aluminum heads (Edelbrock), intake, etc.

I think I am leaning towards keeping the manifolds on there as opposed to headers.

It will be a 95% street driven car, not a race car by any stretch.

The motor is stout, dynoed at 530hp on engine dyno with headers on it. Can't think I would lose tons of hp and choke the motor up with mainifolds, don't you think?
 
mans or headers

manifolds with dump gates;;;;;
sounds great, no tin tin tin ,
no starter changing problems/ spark plug wires burning
jmo
 
our 71 v-code cuda has headers.... changing the starter = PAIN in the @$$!!!!

go manifolds
 
Manifolds all the way for a street car IMO. Easy to install, no leaks, and ease of maintenance on other engine parts.

A friend of mine has a 68 'X that was running 11:70's on a pump gas (all) motor with manifolds so they weren't holding it back. FYI funny thing is when he's in the pits with the hood up, guys come by scratching their heads looking at the motor trying to figure out what makes it go as the manifolds/valve covers/air cleaner are all OEM parts. Would headers shave off his ET's? Maybe, but the stock looking sleeper appeal is just too cool.
 
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