TTI headers
It's all in my rear view mirror, Mike. He spoke his mind, and that's that. I am appreciative of all the positive information I've gained here by knowledgeable members. I'm looking at the Tubular Automotive and the TTI 1 7/8's primaries. No sense leaving free power on the table to save a few dollars. FWIW, my TF 190's are in the machine shop now, so they can give them the once over. They also want to run them on their flow bench, which I agreed to. The engine will be dyno'd for true HP/TQ numbers. Still waiting for my TF single plane intake, and my Voodoo solid roller cam. Due to Camaro-19, there seems to be a shortage of cam blanks. I'm getting old and have some medical issues, so this might be my last major build, and I want to do it right the first time. After the engine is done, I'll ask incessant question about how to get the power to the pavement! I've benn an off road guy for 25 years, and it's taking me some time to get back into my SBM Swinger. I've already learned about the SBP 15" wheels.
Just my opinion, keeping in mind I’ve only seen pictures of the TA headers and that most likely the first set I see will be for a Pontiac but I won’t use TTI again.
I detest their collectors. They don’t make (AFAIK) any header that uses a slip on collectors. That sucks. They also run all the tubes above the steering linkage. At least on the 1.625-1.750 small block headers anyway. And, they point the collectors in towards the centerline of the car.
What all that means is that once the headers are on the car it a giant PITA to work on anything under the car. To get the transmission out you either have to loosen up the headers, which then fall down in the way and you have to jury rig them half assed out of the way, or you have wrestle the transmission around to get one side higher than the other to get past the header.
I’ve been putting on and working on cars with headers since 1980. And those TTI’s are pretty miserable to work with nice they are on the car. The very first set I bought were 5204 Hookers for a 318. They are 1.750 headers, and every whiz bang in gym shorts said they were too big.
They weren’t and that little 318 made a lot of money on the street.
I’d much rather have a header that takes more effort to install that is easier to work on in the car than the other way around. The 5303 Hooker is the perfect example of a 1.875 header that is pretty miserable to install, especially the first time you do it, and it’s even worse if you don’t have the installation instructions. They only go on one way. There aren’t other options. I know. I have tried ways that I thought would be quicker but like normal, I was wrong and wasted a ton of time.
Once they are on, it’s a piece of cake to get to the plugs (the TTI’s have really good access to the plugs as well...that TTI did very well) and working under the car you can get to things without smashing your hands to get through some small space.
Just my observations and opinion.
