Best option for headers

[Tonka Man]

FFMCC crew - In your experience, what is the best option for headers on a 350/350 Monte for fit and durability?  I don't want chrome.  I just want something that fits the car great and will last a long time.

[Scott S.]

Rumour is that the ceramic coated headers are the best choice for longevity..... The style can depend on what kind of accessories you have going on under the hood. 

[72 Monte Carlo]

On my 72 I installed Hooker Competition Series ceramic coated big tube headers for my Big Block. 

They were made for a Chevelle/Monte Carlo, so they fit the chassis great.

[420ponies]

If I ever did headers again, I'd get the 3/4 header length, just in case you ever want to lower the stance of your Monte. Some long tube headers hang lower than others. I'm sure others will chime in and give you some great information about this. The last set I had on mine were Hedman ceramic coated, looked good after 17 yrs.

[Tonka Man]

It looks like I can get black or silver ceramic coated ones.  

James, are you talking about the shorty headers versus the long tube headers?

What is the preference for other owners out there that keep their car at the stock stance?

[Scott S.]

The long tube headers hang down about 1"-2" below the transmission pan and frame rails..... Does offer a little safety regarding speed bumps.

Long tube vs. shorties do have different flow characteristics as well. Different back pressures and such. 

My "mechanic" might be able to tell you more.

 

 

[Whons]

Mine are 3/4 length Headman headers. I believe they are stainless steel, no rust or discoloration and this is the 2nd car I've had them on. Probably close to 20 years old. 

[Tonka Man]

I was talking to my mechanic the other day and he opined that in his 60+ years of experience wrenching on cars, dual exhaust is a better horse power gainer with or without headers.  He suggested that even having stock Chevy exhaust manifolds would be fine if a car is converted from single exhaust to dual and that the horse power gain from headers is actually minimal.  He also said that many times headers have a way of cooking the starter and burning holes in the spark plug wires.

This has me thinking.  I have several options for stock manifolds and I'm not going to be doing burnouts, drag racing or NASCAR with my Montes.  I'm going to drive them mostly sedately through the country side, politely waving at other motorists and pedestrians with only the occasion burst of power to get around a blue-hair driver!  I'm thinking that the dual exhaust with stock headers will be more than enough go power for those activities and will play a melodious sonnet rumbling through some turbo mufflers.

Thoughts?  Am I on to something?

[Marks71]

If it were me, I’d take your mechanics advise. If you’re running a stock 350 then any gains you might get with headers would be negligible. Granted, when you open the hood, stock exhaust manifolds don’t have the cool factor that headers do, but I think the dual exhaust with a cross over or X pipe is all you need. A good set of headers can hit the wallet pretty hard too. 

[Scott S.]

There was a past thread regarding cross tubes..... They seem to offer some positive results.

[420ponies]

Factory ram horn exhaust manifolds are the best gain on a sbc. Again, it's what you want for exhaust. I have run both and any gain is minimal for a cruiser kind of car. Single two duel exhaust, big gain on throttle response, mileage too. Right now on my new BBC ,stock manifolds,duel 2 1/2" exhaust. These will give me more bottom end torque with the " closed camber" heads. I know the ram horns are $$ but are well worth it!🙂

[70white402]

 

 

 

 

 

I used my factory manifolds when I put the 496 and 5 speed in my car. I put Gardner 69 chevelle chambered exhaust on it. It sounds great.

[DragCat]

Video didn't load for me 

[willie]

Nope didn't open for me either Jeff!!!

[70white402]

50 minutes ago, willie said:

Nope didn't open for me either Jeff!!!

 

 

[70white402]

[Michael Boyte]

Very nice indeed 👍 

[Dtret]

Sounds and looks awesome. 

[willie]

I seen that puppy she is beautiful!!!   Jeff you have to get her out now and then!!!

[70white402]

I know.  I have to redo my buckets and rear seat.  I should just drive it until the sms material shows up.

[SMOOTHCHROME]

Can someone provide a manufacturer or even a part number for headers for my 1970 Monte Carlo ss454. The car is a column bench car. 

Thanks. Chris.

[70white402]

American racing headers.  Tuck up nicely to floor and perfect fit.  Pricey but worth it.

[SMOOTHCHROME]

Thanks Jeff. I will search those out. I don't mind paying.