Header choices

[swhite9100]

Hello my name is shawn. I am new to this forum. I have a question.. I have an 84 cutlass that I'm putting a 76 olds 350 in. I'm trying to find a header that will work and not be as bad for fitment. I installed some headman street headers but they still seem to hit on starter. I do have a mini starter on it. Any recommendations of a brand or type that might fit little better. I do want to stick with a long tube header. Thank you all with any help and recommendations!!

 

[pagrunt]

Welcome to the site. Try Thornton (http://thorntonmusclecars.com/), they seem to be a good choice among the Olds guys.

 

[swhite9100]

Thank you pagrunt! I will check them out.

 

[DoubleV]

American Racing Headers are the only way to go for long tube headers imo. Cheap? Nope. Worth the cost? Every penny.

 

[Michael Watts]

O have had good luck with FlowTech "shorty" headers .as well a Doug Thorley as well .Even hooker fitment was fine.

 

[olds307 and 403]

The Flowtech headers are rusty and leaky. The Hedman are a better choice over the Flowtech. That leaves Hooker, not cheap and the very not cheap American racing headers for full length. The Thornton are stainless but are shorties designed to bolt on to early A body down pipes.

 

[swhite9100]

Is there a big difference in performance in short tube than long tube headers?

 

[Michael Watts]

It depends on what you want to do with the car. Shorty headers give you more ground clearance and more low end torque.And long tube headers give you more power toward the upper end.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I use a 300 hp Dodge Magnum crate motor Dyno test as an example. They start out with restrictive truck/van 318 manifolds, necked down so they can fit under the van dog house. I had to change one manifold when I swapped a car 318 in my 77 Dodge van. They are very similar to Olds SB manifolds, at least the non swirl port cast manifold. They got their baseline with them. The put on 360 manifolds, gained 11 hp, 340 hp manifolds 13 hp, shorty headers 21, full length stepped 28 hp with nearly matching torque gains on all. Of course this assumes a good exhaust system behind as well. I would try a different mini starter or rap it in heat reflecting insulation, some mini's tuck up tighter than other designs. I actually ground the body slightly on my current mini starter. I needed it super tight when I had it on my Olds 350 powered Z71 to clear the front diff. With stock tiny cam your gains will only be so much. Good luck.