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03-03-2005, 01:55 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 995
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Headers Vs Manifolds
Looking for your opinions. The next thing on my to-do list is to replace
the exhaust system because my old one is rusted and busted. Right now I run a stock 307 with a crossover single exhaust with stock manifolds. I am thinking to replace it with a dual 2.25" exhaust, with H pipe, nice sounding muffs and have it exit right after the rear wheels at a 45 to give it the nice stock look. My big decision to make: replace the manifolds with headers, or keep it stock? Manifolds: - Stock Look - Easy spark plug access - already have them - Will last forever Headers - Horsepower gain? - Nice looking - Might be a B*tch to replace plugs? - Might wear out in a few years? What do you guys think. Is there really that much of a gain to go to headers?
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1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree |
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03-03-2005, 02:11 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 2,155
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Get a good quality header with a thick flange and you will not be sorry. Also a good header gasket is mandatory, don't use the paper ones, get the dead soft aluminum gaskets, they seal really well. Plugs shouldn't be a problem, might have to use a wrench instead of a ratchet on some, but that's not a big deal.
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1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500 |
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03-03-2005, 02:21 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Eastern Nebraska
Posts: 611
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I'll vote for manifolds, duals with crossover and glass packs. Little bit different sound than headers.
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'72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's |
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03-03-2005, 02:45 PM
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#4 |
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Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Amelia, Virginia
Posts: 2,921
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Headers- Jet coated, thick flange, good gaskets.............
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1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS |
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03-03-2005, 03:07 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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The manifolds will be more trouble free but wont look as good if you go ceramic coatings. Performance I don't think theres that much of a difference, but then its been a long time since I ran manifolds. Cut the flanges, and use manifold gaskets on your headers. You wont have the leaking and bolts coming loose problems.
Cut on the arrows........... 
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03-03-2005, 03:43 PM
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#6 |
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Mike
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: west chester pa
Posts: 2,474
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What Mudder said.A good set of headers will last.$89 headers won't last.
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70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires |
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03-03-2005, 03:50 PM
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#7 |
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OBS guy
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,060
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Uh oh... $89 you said? That's what I paid for my Hedmans. Of course, they are new for $135, so hopefully that helps.
Course, I live in SoCal and the truck is just a weekend cruiser, so I am sure they will hold up just fine for me.
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88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more Last edited by redz 1970 K5; 03-03-2005 at 03:54 PM. |
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03-03-2005, 03:55 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Redz with the climate u have there and the way u dirve it will prolong them. Lots of humidity and moisture here. I would still try to keep some type of heat paint on them. The way I discribe, you can put them on and forget about them. I've never had problems with the collectors leaking.
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03-03-2005, 04:40 PM
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#9 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,492
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I say manifolds for a daily driver and headers for a toy for weekend cruisin. Headers are a pain in the ass in this neck of the woods.
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03-03-2005, 05:08 PM
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#10 |
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Still drivin' a Rat Rod
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Monett Missouri
Posts: 4,925
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Daily driver leave the mainfolds on it,if your racing it,go with the headers.If your racing your daily driver use your own judgement.
Hows that for a definite maybe?? I left the Ramhorns on mine,trouble free.
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Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the *a$#* 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website |
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03-03-2005, 05:34 PM
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#11 |
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OBS guy
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,060
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Option 3 as of yet unmentioned-
1. Port match the exhaust manifolds to the heads, and open the ports up a bit inside the manifold- as far as you can reach and as much as you care to... There is certainly enough material there. Probably good for a few HP there.
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88 Suburban Goodies- Alpine, Auto Meter, BDS, Bilstein, B&M, BFG, Borgeson, Bushwhacker, Cowl hood, Flowmaster, Genuine Gear, Holley, Infinity, JVC, K&N, MB Wheels, MSD, Pioneer, Skyjacker, Sony, Thorley, Walker + more |
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03-03-2005, 06:19 PM
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#12 |
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Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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I vote headers. No more cast iron for me.
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Just call me LB.  '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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03-03-2005, 08:49 PM
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#13 |
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Stroke it!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Posts: 214
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With very few exceptions, headers will almost ALWAYS give you more power. If you want to maintain the stock look, you can't use 'em. But if you want more performance, you gotta use 'em! (You don't HAVE to use 'em...you know what I mean).
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Drog  Nitrous is for those who don't know how to build. |
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03-03-2005, 10:13 PM
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#14 |
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72 LONGHORN OWNER
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Seattle Wash.
Posts: 963
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I am going to be doing the exhaust on the Longhorn too. ...I think I am going to stay with a semi-stock look and get a set of these stainless steel G.M. tubular manifolds from board member Frank........
 Just a little plug for you Frank.....
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72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY |
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03-03-2005, 11:31 PM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Elmira, Oregon
Posts: 449
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Those are sweet! Does Frank have a website?
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03-03-2005, 11:45 PM
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#16 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tonganoxie, Ks
Posts: 180
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I vote for headers. I have them on my GMC daily driver and they haven't given me any troubles.
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03-04-2005, 12:32 AM
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#17 |
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72 LONGHORN OWNER
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Seattle Wash.
Posts: 963
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No.... Frank.......is from the old school
LOL.but you can p.m...him...He is a great guy to deal with....Knows his stuff........
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72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY |
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03-04-2005, 12:53 AM
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#18 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 1,579
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Quote:
 A quality set of coated headers will last the life of your truck. I have had a set of Doug Thorleys for more than 20 years. You will never break a stud off in the header like you can in a manifold. You will see more performance, and maybe a lil better milage. And they will sound so much better, and thats what ya really want....isnt it?!?
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For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble.  70 Short/Step
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03-04-2005, 09:21 AM
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#19 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 141
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I am about to install rebuilt motor myself, does anyone have any experience with the "hugger" headers that are all over ebay. Thanks Dave
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03-04-2005, 09:50 AM
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#20 |
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Mike
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: west chester pa
Posts: 2,474
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A lot of the hugger headers get to close to the crossmember.chevelle shorty headers are good and I was told that s-10 v-8 conversion headers will also work.These are more for lowered trucks.
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70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires |
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03-04-2005, 10:02 AM
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#21 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Shelbyville, KY
Posts: 3,269
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My personal experience--stock manifolds = OK. Headman headers--junk. Hooker headers---even with perfect seals==noise (not leaks just noise).
With headers, I lost about 1-2 mpg and some low end torque over stock manifolds. Must have something to do with back pressure?! Cast Manifolds work like heat sinks wisking away some of the head heat that headers don't. I really like the look of the one's Pickmup (Frank) has but the price may be ^? I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. I personally prefer the sound of stock manifolds running to duals. If outright performance is key then headers are the answer. Huck |
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03-04-2005, 12:26 PM
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#22 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 995
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Woah, thanks for all the advice guys!
At this point after reading it all I am leaning toward manifolds. Thanks!
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1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree |
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03-04-2005, 12:31 PM
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#23 | |
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Resident Curmudgeon
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NH
Posts: 6,664
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Quote:
  Headers make sense for some applications but are not a one size fits all solution. For this application manifolds are the way to go for all the reasons Huck points out IMO.
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Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter  Maybe I need to sell some of this crap  Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all |
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03-04-2005, 05:57 PM
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#24 |
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F.A.S.T. president
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,883
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stock 307 needs stock manifolds...the headers wont make it any faster, just more upkeep. IMO as well
"Cast Manifolds work like heat sinks wisking away some of the head heat that headers don't" Sorry I disagree manifolds have less surface area then headers so the heat transfer off the surface is worse. Anyway you can only transfer heat so that means a hot exhuast manifold in direct contact with the cyl head (no gasket) will transfers the heat towards the head not away from it. Because the manifold is at a higher temp then the water cooled head. As far as sound goes.....its yours, so go for the sound you like.
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F.A.S.T. President and Founder Fabricators for the Advancement of Sawsall Technology "A fear of the Sawsall is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." ~Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis" Last edited by jamis; 03-04-2005 at 06:06 PM. |
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03-04-2005, 07:34 PM
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#25 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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manifolds = ugly ... rust ... original equipment ... 'nuf said
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