Headers with stock exhaust - for now? Could use some recommendations / input please

[MikeyM]

Hi all,

Thanks to Uncle Sam, I will have a little money to continue work on our '69 Bee but will have to spend it incrementally to get the best bank for my buck. The ultimate plan is headers and full replacement exhaust. I'm planning on Doug's or TTI headers but, for now, will likely run the headers through the OEM 2.25" pipes (with the existing Flowmaster 40s and no crossover pipe) so I can use the rest of the funds for suspension parts and other things the car needs. I know I won't hurt anything by doing that but my questions are more around sizing and future planning. The headers I buy, I'd like to buy once. In the short to mid-term future, I will be replacing the 600 VS Holley and OEM intake with a 750/780 Holley (3310-1 if I can find one) and better intake manifold... probably a Weiand Action Plus so it fits with the Ram Charger intake. Further out, I'll also probably go with a roller cam, aluminum heads, AND may even do a small stroker to keep the numbers matching block. I was thinking the 1 7/8 primary tube would be best for torque after the carb/intake mods (am I correct on that?) and would also work well with the future mods. The car won't see over 55-5600 RPMs and I might take it to the track just to see what it will do but it's not a racer.

I've read posts on TTI vs Doug's and they both seem equally good on quality but I didn't see a 1 7/8 primary tube header from Dougs, just 1 3/4 and 2". TTI has 1 7/8 but Doug's are a little less spendy, although I would / could do either. Any input you might have would be a big help in helping me plan this out.

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[Don Frelier]

It's a 383?
I don't think it makes much sense to adapt headers to your stock headpipes.
Are they in good shape? someone may want them.
I also don't think you'll find much difference in primary tube sizing.
If anything a smaller primary would be better.

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks, Don. Yes, it's a 383HP. So you think the 1.75" primaries would be better even with the future mods and the engine making (hopefully) 425 - 450+ HP?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[RemCharger]

I've always used 1 7/8 on my 383s.

 

[Rebelrouser]

I use a program called pipemax to size headers when I build them for my cars. My experience is that 1 7/8 are just about right for stock and mild performance engines. For my race engines I usually build step headers and even for them start at 1 7/8, then 2 inch, ending up at 2 1/8 in three steps. I have seen headers too big hurt performance more than once.

 

[qkcuda]

I think 1 3/4 headers are more than enough for that combo. I ran them on my 400 and later my 500 with no issues. Back in the day everyone hooked them into stock exhaust pipes. Upgrade the exhaust when funds are available, but don't expect dramatic results.

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks for the replies. QK, when you say don't expect dramatic results, are you referring to the headers, themselves, or going into the stock exhaust?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[qkcuda]

I was referring to the difference between stock exhaust and an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[MikeyM]

Cool, thanks. Heck, I may just have a crossover pipe installed and call it good.

 

[Two Time Signet]

FYI flowmaster mufflers are loud and don't flow CFM well. David Vizard has yt videos that go into this in great detail. You can get quieter and less restrictive mufflers. The optimal setup is balance tube right after collectors into a single large chamber and back out to two high CFM mufflers, each handling 50% of the 2.3cfm per horsepower requirement.

 

[Two Time Signet]

https://youtu.be/vJt-fM8wNkg

 

[Don Frelier]

Cool, thanks. Heck, I may just have a crossover pipe installed and call it good.

My charger has a 2" H-pipe that my son made.

 

[MikeyM]

Don, very nice indeed.

Two Time, that video was super informative, thanks for sharing.

Mikey

 

[33 IMP]

If the choice is between a 1 3/4 or 2" for a 383, the 1 3/4 is a no-brainer, imo. They'll be fine for any kind of street 383 combo you put together.
2 1/4 in/out is smaller than I would like, and I am not a fan of two chamber flowmasters. (I have Flowmasters on a couple of mine.... but they are huge tube three chambers, 3" and 3 1/2")
If I was you, I'd run the exhaust you have now, (behind the new headers) till youre ready and financially set to move up.
Then, EYE would probably go to a summit generic header back 3" system with dynomax ultraflows, or magnaflow equivalent. Good sound, great flow, good power. Best bang for buck, in my opinion.

 

[MikeyM]

Right on, 33… Same page.

Again, this is a temporary thing. I am trying to spend the funds wisely on the most expensive stuff with the thought being that I can afford the less expensive stuff every couple weeks

She’ll get there… Sooner or later. But she will get there really appreciate y’all‘s input. Thanks again,
Mikey.