'65 Barracuda wants to breathe

I've got a totally stock '65 Barracuda 273 2bbl. manual steering, 904 auto, and soon to be installed 8 3/4 sure grip. I want to put headers on it but the only ones I've found that are listed to fit this car are high dollar (around $700) and look like ground draggers. I ran it at the drag strip this last weekend and it really needs a 4 bbl. and headers. There looks like there is lots of lower priced headers for 1966-1967 Cudas. So what is the problem with them fitting on a '65? I like the looks of the short headers everyone is talking about. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HED-78500/ So does anyone think these headers will work on my '65? I'd really like to get some more respectable times in the 1/4. Best so far is 17.32. I could really use your advice on this. Cuda wants to breathe! :-D

The headers in your link won't work. You need some that are designed for a '66 or earlier A body. These cars have a narrower engine compartment than the later cars. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you. The expensive headers you've seen aren't ground draggers. They are high quality & fit very well. People seem to have good luck with both Doug's & TTI headers. I kind of like the Doug's better myself but it's probably mostly a matter of personal preference. The TTI headers are a bit cheaper to buy but require a special (expensive) starter. The Doug's cost more but I think you can use the standard mini starter or maybe even the full sized Mopar starter.

There's a set of Hooker semi-fenderwell headers available for the earlier cars & some have gone that route. I have run full fenderwell headers in the past but they were the only thing available at the time. They're not the worst thing in the world but if I had a choice I'd try to find the money for the under-chassis style.

If you run the TTI's and a 904 you just need to use the mini mopar starter that came in later model trucks and van's, and the TTI's will give you plenty of clearance.

Duals off the stock manifolds will let the engine breathe much better.

I have added duals off the stock manifolds, to several small block 273 and 318 Mopars, the first time
was in 1977, well worth the slight cost, vs single exhaust.

Headers in a Mopar are a pain, and not worth the hassles for an added
10-20 hp; on a street car; in my opinion. ;)

I am using Dynomax Superturbos under my Valiant.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8mci4rjFU"]YouTube - 1964 Valiant dual exhaust[/ame]