1976 dodge dart with a 318 what headers to run

[lazysack2003]

Hello am new to mopar I have heard headers on the A body’s can be quite a challenge I am looking for recommendations or advice on what headers to run on my 1976 dodge dart with a 318 and response would be greatly appreciated

 

[Kendog 170]

TTI's or Dougs are two top choices.

 

[mygasser]

depends on your budget. there's everything from cheap non brand ones to tti or dougs. for my 68 valiant i fitted cheap chinese polished stainless full length ones at about $150. the steering link goes through the header so there can be ground clearance issues if you're car is lowered, but they fitted easily and no tubes needed denting even with my car having a 4 speed with it's clutch linkage etc. i got them from ebay in the states even though i'm in the uk.
neil.

 

[Kendog 170]

Any E-bay link on which ones they are? Power steering or manual?

 

[66Valiant528]

I've had many small block cars and by far the Doug's were well worth the money. Every set of "center link through the tubes on the left side" headers were promptly smashed on Boston streets. You can get uncoated ones (Dougs) and with proper prep you can coat them with some high heat paint.

 

[Dartswinger70]

depends on your budget. there's everything from cheap non brand ones to tti or dougs. for my 68 valiant i fitted cheap chinese polished stainless full length ones at about $150. the steering link goes through the header so there can be ground clearance issues if you're car is lowered, but they fitted easily and no tubes needed denting even with my car having a 4 speed with it's clutch linkage etc. i got them from ebay in the states even though i'm in the uk.
neil.

View attachment 1716440970

View attachment 1716440971

They are the classic "affordable" style the behind the steering linkage ones are pricey for some reason. I had Hedmanns like that on a few cars and yes the passenger side at the collectors will flatten out over bumps with a passenger etc.

 

[318willrun]

Hello am new to mopar I have heard headers on the A body’s can be quite a challenge I am looking for recommendations or advice on what headers to run on my 1976 dodge dart with a 318 and response would be greatly appreciated

Welcome! Dougs work well. Fitment going in and after they are in are much better than the lesser priced headers. Also, the flanges and welds are better as well

 

[Tuesday]

I had Patriot full-length headers (don't buy these!) on my 360 Magnum swap (previously a 318 - but running with LA adapted heads) in my 73 Plymouth Scamp, but they sat too low and eventually pancaked. I bit the bullet and switched to TTI headers - absolute night and day difference.

I can’t speak for Dougs headers (imagine they are good too), but my experience with TTI has been flawless. They fit easily, required minimal modification, and even came on the drivers side in 2 parts to help relocate around some steering column etc. They look great in the engine bay and don’t scrub or touch anything.

If these are the only headers you’ll ever put on the car and you plan on keeping it long term, I’d wholeheartedly recommend TTI.

On a related note, I’m running REMFLEX header gaskets (PN 6016) and they’ve been excellent too - I’d choose them over other gasket options every time.

 

[mygasser]

Any E-bay link on which ones they are? Power steering or manual?

these are currently on ebay and from the pics they look to be the same ones. i did have p/s but later swapped to a manual box.
neil.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/334806559494?_skw=mopar+stainless+steel+headers&itmmeta=01K2F6DMTJDJ8HY9QADZMFM1KR&hash=item4df406ab06:g:SNQAAOSw-rlkH11s&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAABAFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cO87ZZ0jlNsmg2IzDGgMCbMeKzb0paF0hjCZkDktzRuE293LYcEyhC8UGoZp8fVhjpbJKVfZ9Z+mwbhDqsuhwxbqTq09vovNhq+T6cNmcfVKkA7y6uiI5zd3/9hCaWo2iQlvFQ7cvQHaPmR+eKuRhlm863QYnok0XZa0sMO4F89fdzkgGrRCT2XP0xwl/UFTw++L67Gdm5Hu51qsrTUVJSYz3IfDLOa/izrWp5ZCsICj7+Qcz1ylpDTtTblSKEl5trs2jjt/1RaBkMeZHqzkbv0KsLhJRVCeR21ITv72h0MxW1ruK1STn/GsU7SiZse18=|tkp:Bk9SR7zNtuaTZg

 

[missing linc]

I'm 2 for 2 on TTi headers on a small block a body. Zero fitment issues on either car, just read and follow the installation instructions carefully. They are not cheap by any means and you will not see any noticeable improvement in performance on a stock 318. One of my cars had a set of cheap headers on it when I bought it, the kind that requires the steering linkage to pass through. Both headers had been in contact with the ground multiple times and were significantly crushed. They are now 'wall art' in my garage.

 

[furrystump]

What is the plan for the car? Run the 318 forever and have fun? or build more power in the future? If the plan is to run it and enjoy it, no real power growth? I would look into manifolds, much more user friendly/durable. Might be cheaper and manifolds will support more power than most people think.

 

[Dartswinger70]

What are "cheap" headers these days about $400?

 

[mygasser]

What are "cheap" headers these days about $400?

the stainless ones i posted the link for above are $285.
neil.

 

[Mattax]

My perspective is the same as @furrystump and @missing linc
What are you trying to accomplish?

Dougs may be the best bang for the buck currently on the market, but that doesn't neccessarily mean they will do what you are hoping. Headers can make more power across the power band but for a stock 318 the off the shelf stuff will all have a big step up off the exhaust port and a lot of volume. Could be no real gain until high in the rpm (like 5000).

 

[Ant]

I have a set of Doug's for my Dart, I did not install them yet though, but I hear good things about them. Someday I'll swap the motor, someday.

 

[lazysack2003]

Welcome! Dougs work well. Fitment going in and after they are in are much better than the lesser priced headers. Also, the flanges and welds are better as well

Omg I actually watch your YouTube channel!!! I was worried about the fittment of long tubes on the A body and your video was very helpful!!!!

 

[lazysack2003]

I have a set of Doug's for my Dart, I did not install them yet though, but I hear good things about them. Someday I'll swap the motor, someday.

You should!!! I pulled my 318 and 727 out with my brother in law in one night change (my first small block ever pulled) but you should totally do it you never know when life will prevent you from ever doing it.

 

[Ant]

You should!!! I pulled my 318 and 727 out with my brother in law in one night change (my first small block ever pulled) but you should totally do it you never know when life will prevent you from ever doing it.

Life and mother nature keeps getting in the way, but I want to get it done this year, but yet I would like to dyno the motor so a certain someone who has never assembled an engine before can shut up. Of course the dyno session will probably never happen because that one person who is denying my work does not want to put his money where is mouth is. The bet was simple, make near or more than 300HP and cover the $900 dyno session, if I lose I will pay $900 to the winner. Lol, he tried to offer a $100 bet. Ha! I'm not spending that time and money just for that. I guess it's time to swap that motor before I get more distractions, lol.

 

[jrc4y4]

I have a 318 in a 72 scamp with power steering. Hedman headers went in with no hammering but it was a lot of work and involved lifting the block a little bit while fitting. Only big regret was not having them cerakoted or coated as the vht flaked off. I went the Headman route because I picked them up new in box for $100. If I was to do it again I would buy Doug’s and make sure they’re coated. I plan to do that someday actually. But if budget is more important, I think Headman’s are cheaper than Doug’s.

 

[Dartswinger70]

I recall with Hedmann that I dropped the passenger side in while I lowered the engine in on a cherry picker. It is difficult installing them with the engine in the car etc.

 

[mygasser]

i will add that for a driver 318 i'd always go for the cheaper headers (stainless as above so they don't rot out in double quick time) and spend the extra cash on other parts. parts like... cam and lifters, used 360 heads, 4 barrel inlet and carb. pick your poison.
please nobody say the 360 heads will lower the already low compression (they will) as they have been fitted to countless stock compression 318's and are proven to make more power than the loss in compression they give, so there, lol.
neil.

 

[Dartswinger70]

I'd agree 360 heads on a 318 was a common thing in the 80s and 90s and most have said "it runs good" (whatever that means no time slips etc.) for a street car it runs good means just that. Yes with a street 318 I woudn't spend on brand new TTI unless I knew later on i was installing a hot engine build etc. I dont see a return there with a 318 and expensive headers.

 

[340six]

What Dougs look like. As you can see do not hang low like old style. Pictures on a car of the "Older Style" are still used by Hooker/BlackJack and others, not cheap but guys still call them cheap but meen style.

 

[340six]

What old style looks like" stearing passes inside center of driver side. So driver side gives low ground clearance.
Ones shown are Hooker but have equal length tubes (tuned)