pyrogen007
Active Member
I searched and couldn't find any answers so I figured I'd ask y'all. After looking at the various exhaust manifolds and headers out there, I noticed that all the "performance" manifolds have a similar design while all the headers have a similar design but they don't really share much design wise between manifolds and headers. I am curious why. Basically all of the manifolds majority of the tubing is above the spark plugs while with headers the majority of the tubing(full length, tri-y, shorty or block hugger) is below the spark plugs. Seems like there is more space where the factory manifolds are and a lot less by the "frame" rails, steering, shifter linkages and ect... Can headers not have a higher percentage of tubing above the spark plugs so maintenance is easier? I am not really including fender headers in this comparison, I don't have a race car. Even the cast "headers"(hemi and other max wedge) floating around the internet are crazy looking but mostly above the spark plugs.
All this because I haven't been able to find headers for my exact application and am probably going to take a stab at building my own and have been researching header design. My application: 70 Dart Swinger with 73+ K frame, 383 with Indy SR heads, manual 4 spd, manual brakes, power steering and factory A/C. I can do without the power steering but I live in Texas, A/C is a must.
All this because I haven't been able to find headers for my exact application and am probably going to take a stab at building my own and have been researching header design. My application: 70 Dart Swinger with 73+ K frame, 383 with Indy SR heads, manual 4 spd, manual brakes, power steering and factory A/C. I can do without the power steering but I live in Texas, A/C is a must.