Do Headers Outperform Factory High-Performance Manifolds?

Mark Worman definitively asks (and answers) the question beginning @ minute 21:50 of the episode:

Here ya go for real world information.

He might ask the question and answer the question, but every dyno test I’ve ever seen shows headers outperforming HP manifolds from the bottom to the top. Even when headers are the first mod done to a stock engine. I prefer the stock look of manifolds and the Pure Stock cars and all but they’re a bottleneck for sure.

I saw that episode of Graveyard last night. I'm thinking to myself, I just recently saw another video, from Nick's Garage, that contradicted Graveyard. BeepBeepRR, you beat me to it by posting the video. Very informative, scientific and eye-opening. Excellent episode by Nick's Garage.

and, we’re off!

Probably 100 threads already on this very subject
Worman is a foolish dork



Yes Headers hands down do outperform
99% of cast iron manifolds

the MW S/S or Ramcharger Cast iron manifolds are heavy
& based on a set of headers, upswept bigger tubes
& 3" 4 bolt outlets
they perform well too, just very heavy & very expensive
hard to find originals that are not cracked
$1,000+ for repops another $2500 for exhaust behind them

lil' to no reversion with headers
shorty small tube headers are marginally better
but still better

long tube headers are better for torque
still way better than 99% of OE Iron manifolds

larger tube many are mid-length headers for HP/Racing use
certainly, make more power from bottom to top
been proven over & over again
or if not, then every single racecar wouldn't have them
it's simple logic & unrestricted airflow

vintage chromoly said:

and, we’re off!

Click to expand...

Headers always better, even 1-3/4" on the street on a BB.