Stock manifold vs. headers

[Smedley]

Getting ready to put it all back together. Stock 302, daily driver. I have good stock manifolds. Guy that is helping me put it back together recommended headers. As I will be driving to and from work (6 miles on town roads) and some weekend drives, is there any real benefit to going with headers?

Will

 

[jckkys]

No. Header manufacturers may have some benefit, not you.

 

[garberz]

I say no, especially if you're just running stock. It would be a little louder with headers. I run a stock Explorer 5.0 with the manifolds that are more restrictive than Bronco manifolds. It suits me just fine. Cruises great on the hwy, quiet, no exhaust leaks, no loose manifold bolts. Most people I run trails with have headers, they don't ever have to wait for me with my stock manifolds. %)
A nice 2 into 1 exhaust system coupled with stock manifolds works very well, and last almost forever. Just my opinion, I know most will defend their header purchase.

Mark

 

[Smedley]

Thanks. Any advantage to going with duals in my situation?

Will

 

[Broncobowsher]

Manifolds are fine for a stock engine.

A good single exhaust will be better than a crappy dual exhaust.
There are too many variables to call one exhaust better then the other. What appearance do you want? What sound do you want? Performance gains are more physiological than actual (unless it is replacing a really, REALLY, bad system).

 

[Smedley]

This is a frame off resto. Adding ps, pb and Fuel Injection (FiTech). Otherwise new stock (no lift) suspension, uncut, etc. Want it to look like 1970 but have upgrades that will make it more enjoyable for a daily driver. How the exhaust looks is not important to me. Functionality first.

Will

 

[spap]

I think 69 and 70 351 stock cast iron exhaust manifolds are pretty cool. They are shaped for better flow than the stock 302 truck manifolds

 

[rguest3]

Since you are adding a 4 Barrel Intake and FiTech EFI (02 Sensor Needed). Then, yes I would add small tube Headers and 2-into-1 exhaust (2-2 1/4") at stock location.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Even a stock SBF will benefit from long tube headers. The exhaust ports are pretty restrictive and long tube headers create a educator effect that helps pull out the exhaust.

That said, headers are more trouble.

But, the main reason I like them is the nice tinny ring-a-ding you get at idle with good compression and a good cam.

Duals? I would, but that's a personal choice.

The stock pipes were only 1-7/8". If you want to keep it a single exhaust, use the factory head pipes and 2-1/4" for the rest of the system. a stock motor will breath great, even with a small 4 bbl carb.

Be careful when selecting the pipe size. When a tailpipe is too large, it can create loud drone at highway speed.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Also remember that as the diameter goes up so does the noise. drone at cruising speed gets common with big pipes.

 

[Prizefighter]

Skip the headers and stick with factory manifolds. Long tube headers are a pain.

My 351W made 300 hp and I put manifolds on it to help keep temps down.

 

[Digger556]

No. Header manufacturers may have some benefit, not you.

^^
this is a great answer. If you haven't built a performance engine, no need for headers. Even then most people go too large for their application.

 

[jmangi62]

If it was a fire breathin motor, and an off road beast then yes do long tube headers, but for everyday street driving keep the manifolds. I plan on building a daily driver with manifolds and a very small lift and small tires, nothing crazy, kinda the other end of the spectrum lol.

 

[cs_88]

Headers are prettier.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sounds like all you are trying to do is get a little upgrade. In the mustang world you would be going from a C-code 2-barrel to an A-code 4-barrel engine. Both got the same exhaust manifolds. Wasn't until you stepped up to the k-code did you get the high flow manifolds.

I happily converted from headers to manifolds on my last 351. That's right, cast iron manifolds on aluminum heads. They were repop k-code manifolds which fit a little different than stock bronco manifolds but I still made them work.