I have a beautiful set of jet coated exhaust manifolds on my '67 440 Belvedere and I know the previous owner HAD a set of headers on it at one time but felt they were too troublesome to be worth it. Every other performance car I have owned I had put headers on.

I would like to add a GOOD set of headers and add an x-pipe while at it, thoughts, experiences? Are headers on the 440 really worth it? I am at 452ci and am not lacking any power! Am I just asking for more hassle than it is worth?

 

If you add headers, TTI are really the best / only route to go , but expensive.

If you are not going a competitive drag racing route, it is a waste of time, money and frustration.

My $0.02

Cheers

Peter

 

Thanks Peter, that is kind of what I was thinking. Car is a Super Stock clone and won't see a track, just a Saturday night special to have some fun and make some noise with. Not sure I want the frustration. I was looking at the TTI site and was thinking of their dual exhaust system with x-pipe for exhaust manifolds. The previous owner had put a cheap dual system in but it's missing hangers and just not real nice.

 

You can still make good power with factory manifolds.


But, what compression does your motor run?

 

My opinion, depends on use and power level. If this is just a warmed up street build and the manifolds are one of the HP series engines then you might not gain much to be worth the trouble.

 

Compression runs 9.7:1, 0.060 over 440, steel crank, forged pistons, ported 915 heads (75cc), Comp Cams 292H, Victor single plane with 800cfm Eddy (looking at switching out to a Holley), 727 with 2800 stall, 3.91 with sure grip.

Runs strong.

 

See my other post DDodger, I am thinking based on comparable builds I have seen that I must be CLOSE to 500HP currently? 450 anyway...??

 

Back in the early 80s I had a mild 440 in a 65 Jeep 2wd pick up, DC hemi cam, Holley 750 and aluminum intake with 69 hp manifolds the truck ran 14.20. I found a used set of Hooker 2" headers that fit and with no other changes than a number or two in the primary jets, the old heap ran 13.60s. Yes you could feel it around town and yes it was worth it!

 

i had a new 1977 100 pick up. 318, auto. i put headers on it. i had to pull the starter out half way and jam it there to get the header in. it was hard to seal to the head. and the head had a 3/16 hole for air injection that i had to plug. they was noisy. for mild street engine its not worth it. and most headers dont give that much power at low speeds, where most of your driving is.

 

If you want to save $150 - $200 you could go with Dougs headers. I just put a set on my 66 Coronet with a 440 and they fit like a glove and are of top quality.

 

I had been looking at those as well, they looked good!

 

celt -

With those specs, despite claims to the contrary, you'll need a free flowing exhaust to optimize performance and that starts with headers, an "X" pipe and good mufflers. And lets be honest, they just look and sound better.

I have about the same set up, and am using old school Hooker headers with 1 7/8" primaries and 2.5" custom pipes. HP based on track times is in the 500 range.

Archer

 

TTI Headers and SpinTech Performance Mufflers...Hands Down!!..

 

Who is the best vendor to buy TTi from (would like to support vendors on the board if possible)? Keep in mind I am in Canuk land so Canadian vendors are easier but having said that everything I have purchased to date has come straight from JEGS, Summit or YearOne. Duty and exchange kills me but after you consider inflated prices on this side of the border it is pretty much a wash. Might be time to make use of my wife's dual citizenship and make a move

 

Best to order direct from TTI. They may have a complete exhaust kit for your car.

Call them, send them a bank draft, and you are good to go.

VERY NICE! VERY BEST!

BUT EXPENSIVE!!!!

www.ttiexhaust.com

The vendors just mark them up accordingly!

If you can find a "Canada Customs Bonded Carrier"
"Canada Customs Sufferance Warehouse" near you, it will save you a ton of money!

I am in Victoria and use Seawings Express. They pick up product in Blaine and courier it to Victoria for a minimum charge. You do your own customs clearance etc.

 

Sounds like a good suggestion...

 

awesome idea Drag Pak! I am in Kamloops but with a little planning I could easily combine that with work trip etc. to the lower mainland. I may have more questions for you later re: Seawings.

 

agreed, seems like a no-brainer

 

If the previous owner stuck in a junk exhaust then I would expect the sound to suffer as much as performance. I would say replace it for the quality sound and enjoy any performance gain you get as a bonus. I agree with Archer that any good dual exhaust is going to start with a x pipe. My 360 really woke up when I replaced it's exhaust, like finally feeling the mods do more than reduce my mpg. I don't understand, how were the headers too troublesome for the previous owner?

 

Leakage, starter and plug access.