exhaust manifolds vs headers

[bigdawg]

if u already have duals how noticable are headers vs stock truck manifolds? i can get them cheap enough and im trying to get closer to 20mpg on freeway im gettin like 17 right now and i read u gain like 20hp how true is this

 

[DRIVEN]

Might notice a difference on a dyno but I doubt you'll actually feel a power increase. Adding headers probably won't get you from 17 up to 20mpg. They look cooler and add some noise but realistically, most street cars don't need headers.

 

[bigdawg]

i know that it wont give me 3 mpg but even if i get half a mile more per gallon it would pay for itself guess im asking if it will add mpg at all. i seen at least 3 Gs with 350s or 305s with headers one set had hardly any rust at the junkyard and i bet il get for like 50 bucks. to me there a pain in the *ss always burns plug wires starter wires but il live with it

 

[DRIVEN]

to me there a pain in the *ss always burns plug wires starter wires but il live with it

Sounds like your mind is already made up. Personally, I'm tired of that dance and will be putting my cast manifolds back on my El Camino when I swap the stock engine back in.

 

[DoubleV]

Kind of hard to know the exact gains you would see since you never specified what you currently have...

Don't expect a whole hell of alot from headers ( over a decent set of manifolds ) on say a stock smogger 350 vs say a high performance big block. Also of course it depends on what type/size of headers you use.

 

[bill]

Might notice a difference on a dyno but I doubt you'll actually feel a power increase. Adding headers probably won't get you from 17 up to 20mpg. They look cooler and add some noise but realistically, most street cars don't need headers.

x2.....if its not a race/strip car, I dont see much advantage to headers vs manifolds.

 

[1979ratrod]

headers make a big sound difference. sounds more raw and throaty. flow is better but id get them just even for the looks. nice and clean isntead of big bulky ugly *ss shity rusty *ss exhaust manifolds

 

[-83MONTESS-]

headers make a big sound difference. sounds more raw and throaty. flow is better but id get them just even for the looks. nice and clean isntead of big bulky ugly *ss shity rusty *ss exhaust manifolds

I like the looks of headers also but only the ceramic ones. The painted ones look like sh*t after about a month and they rot out quick. A good set of cast manifolds that are soda blasted and powder coated looks good. Im thinking of going that route with my current build.

 

[565bbchevy]

I'm a big fan of headers but anything I build needs them but if it is a basically stock or very mild build then I probably wouldn't bother with headers especially if it is a daily driver you would want the durability of an exhaust manifolds.
Small block Chevy headers are well known for always having a couple tubes very close to the plug wires an starter but there are ways to avoid problems if you decide to go this route.
You can get heat sleeves for the spark plug boots.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-350119/
Heat shield for the starter.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/THE-14150/
And install a remote starter solenoid so all your wires are away from header heat and you can also sleeve the one power wire for the starter.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1750/
Also I probably check Craigslist for headers rather than a junkyard if you decide to go that route.There is some stainless midlength on Ebay also.http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?Model%25 ... rs&_sop=15

 

[bigdawg]

Motor is a stock 97 350 vortec heads aluminum intake with 2 and a quarter inch duals from manifolds and q jet