Looking for advice, BB headers vs. HP manifolds
This is turning into a fun and interesting conversation. I didn't want anyone to think I'd dropped off the playing field, I'm watching this. It's very interesting to see the differing viewpoints and the reasoning behind the opinions.
Some more info for the discussion. I can't justify or explain some of this stuff. I think a 69 Dart is the slickest car around. I am not going to "settle" for something else. I will wait till I find one. I fully acknowledge a well done SB will do everything and maybe more than a mild-to-moderate BB. But I don't care. I want a 383 4-speed 69 Dart and I'm willing to do what it takes to get there. I want the build to be nicely snappy with the power and torque pulling hard from idle to maybe 5K or so. I am not trying to squeeze the last drop of performance from this. I figure a decent 383 will easily make 400 HP and more. That's enough for me - I am not building a giant killer. I want it to run well on junk pump gas, the 87 octane stuff around here. I do not want to have to fiddle with this at great length. I don't mind working on and fixing things, but I'm a set-it-and-forget-it kind of guy. Put it together and drive it is my plan. The weekend warriors that tear down their car a couple of times a month live in a different place than I do.
I want the car to have good street manners. I want it to handle well, so some of my plans are to take the weight disadvantage of the BB and lighten it up. I already have an aluminum intake (an Offy 360 - single plane but divided plenum, runs from 1800-5800 RPM). I have an aluminum water pump and housing. I will get aluminum heads (suggestions warmly welcomed) but while improved performance will be nice, weight savings is a big goal.
So this brings us back to the original question, headers vs. HP manifolds. I'm not trying to make a street killer, and user-friendly install/use is OK with me. Headers give better performance, but the downside is fitment issues. Manifolds are much easier to plumb, but could be heavier. Since this started, I committed to the manifold side of this discussion as I found a driver-side original 68-69 BB A-body HP manifold. All I need now is any kind (A-, B-, or C- body) passenger-side HP manifold and I'm good to go. I continue to solicit thoughts and opinions on the build, please weigh in as you think necessary.
If you don't have the car yet then maybe you should rethink the four speed.
Andy, I get that, and I appreciate the input. Ultimate ease of making this happen isn't my top priority. I drove truck for 25+ years, shifting gears in traffic doesn't bother me. I'm making my dream car. I'm a 3-pedal guy, and the Dart will use the A833 4-speed sitting lonely and unloved at the moment on the floor of my shop.
To all, feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on the matter...
