Rams Horn manifold vs Headers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Rams Horn manifold vs Headers
I have a 75 Vert that's a boulevard cruiser/show car. I don't run it down the 1/4 mile track, race it anytime (except the occasional red light to red light with a Mustang) or rev it past 4,000 rpm every so often for very short periods of time.
So my question is: Does having after market headers beneficial? I was thinking of installing a set of Dynomax Headers, but I've heard "horror" stories about the fit, looks & heat with just about every system out there. Right now my stock rams horns look really good (just painted them last fall) So...if the headers don't provide any "seat of the pants" performance, then why mess with a good thing. Right now I've got the stock rams horns going to a dual exhaust system...2 1/2" to a set of FlowMaster 40 Series.
Should I go with the headers or leave "well enough" alone?
So my question is: Does having after market headers beneficial? I was thinking of installing a set of Dynomax Headers, but I've heard "horror" stories about the fit, looks & heat with just about every system out there. Right now my stock rams horns look really good (just painted them last fall) So...if the headers don't provide any "seat of the pants" performance, then why mess with a good thing. Right now I've got the stock rams horns going to a dual exhaust system...2 1/2" to a set of FlowMaster 40 Series.
Should I go with the headers or leave "well enough" alone?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
If you are all show and like what you have, keep it that way. I too have a 75 but mine has a 383 in it with the Hooker side exhaust. As far as seat of the pants difference, there is none. Remember I believe you have 180 HP, so stick with what you have.
By the way, looks great under that hood.
By the way, looks great under that hood.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Right now I am having a hard time getting the ramhorn manifolds to fit on my vortec heads. There is clearance issues with the valve covers. I am going the grind the notches on the back of the mainfolds maybe 1/16 of an inch to make them fit. I used POR-15 manifold gray, it looks great.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
VetteGuy - BigEarl, Great thread! I have been looking at the same headers for my 68 and have all the same questions. Looking forward to the update BigEarl. (hope you feel it in yer pants) Torque that is...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I had rams horns and full 2.5 inch duals on my car for a while. When I switched to Dynomax headers and Magnaflow mufflers I dropped about 1/2 second in 1/4 mile ET. Thats on a mild 383 engine. I think you will feel the difference.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
If you keep your engine compartment that clean all of the time, you will have a problem with headers because after a couple years they could start to corrode, even the ceramic coated headers will start spotting. I have a modded 350 with Dynomax and really don't have any noticeable interior heat issues with mine.
With the top down and the sun baking you, it's hard to tell, right?
With the top down and the sun baking you, it's hard to tell, right?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
I have a 75 Vert that's a boulevard cruiser/show car. I don't run it down the 1/4 mile track, race it anytime (except the occasional red light to red light with a Mustang) or rev it past 4,000 rpm every so often for very short periods of time.
So my question is: Does having after market headers beneficial? I was thinking of installing a set of Dynomax Headers, but I've heard "horror" stories about the fit, looks & heat with just about every system out there. Right now my stock rams horns look really good (just painted them last fall) So...if the headers don't provide any "seat of the pants" performance, then why mess with a good thing. Right now I've got the stock rams horns going to a dual exhaust system...2 1/2" to a set of FlowMaster 40 Series.
Should I go with the headers or leave "well enough" alone?
So my question is: Does having after market headers beneficial? I was thinking of installing a set of Dynomax Headers, but I've heard "horror" stories about the fit, looks & heat with just about every system out there. Right now my stock rams horns look really good (just painted them last fall) So...if the headers don't provide any "seat of the pants" performance, then why mess with a good thing. Right now I've got the stock rams horns going to a dual exhaust system...2 1/2" to a set of FlowMaster 40 Series.
Should I go with the headers or leave "well enough" alone?
Good looking underhood you have there.
There are pro's and con's on this subject for sure. Headers on just about any engine will performer better if you tune the engine for it, some are ok right out of the box but usually that is because the engine was rich to begin with. Is it worth putting them on your engine? Only you can really say that, but they will be loader in side your car, you will have reduced under car clearance, and they will not last as long as cast iron, they will give off more heat. You said you have 2.5 exhaust now, does that mean you have 2.5 manifolds also? If you have the stock manifolds you could make things better and look stock with an upgrade to the early 2.5 manifolds. Is that worth the cost? only if you want stock looks and stock quite under the hood with better performance, but can you feel the difference? I would say yes if you tune for the improved flow. I could feel almost no difference in my 68 switching back to 2.5 manifolds from tubing headers, was well worth it to me.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 11
Long tube headers will always out perform the rams horn manifolds - it's simple physics. If you run the headers into a factory type full exhaust system with all of the compression bent pipes the gain will be minimal vs the rams horns - maybe 2/10s in the quarter mile on a car like yours, but it will still be a gain. For a noticeable difference, run the headers into a mandrel bent system of a least 2.25" diameter and you will see gains similar to BKbroiler. Based on your info, I suggest leaving yours alone. Also, there is no mystical secret to headers - 10s of thousands of cars run them everyday. You can get headers that fit great and last forever for $85.00. People who tell the horror stories do not know what they're doing or talking about.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Picked up the car today but unfortunately it was raining so I couldn't get on it, which means I can't give an answer on increased power. I know it sounds better, but I couldn't take t-tops off, so I can't tell how much better. The guys at the shop said they had zero issues getting them in. (The kid working there said him and his "vette-head" dad just did a full resto on a '72, which made feel a lot better about leaving my car at Midas.) I've got plenty of room for spark plug wires and plenty of clearance from the ground. Hopefully tomorrow will be a clear day and I will be able to see if there are any real perfomance gains. I can post some pics if you want to see the clearances. Be warned that my engine bay doesn't look as nice as vetteguy's.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Weather was nice today so i got to take it out. The sound is awesome, my temperature was about 10 degress cooler too. Keep in my mind my old set up was the exaust manifolds with the air tubes uncapped. 
I can tell there is some more power too. Not much, but I can tell a difference. I am very happy with my decision. Here's some pics.
Driver side
Passenger side. One spark plug boot is close as you can see(on the right). The angle is a bit misleading. It's a half inch from tube, and thats the closest one. After cruising I came back and stuck my finger on boot. I dont think there will be a problem.
I can tell there is some more power too. Not much, but I can tell a difference. I am very happy with my decision. Here's some pics.Driver side
Passenger side. One spark plug boot is close as you can see(on the right). The angle is a bit misleading. It's a half inch from tube, and thats the closest one. After cruising I came back and stuck my finger on boot. I dont think there will be a problem.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Very Interested!
I am very interested in this subject. I plan on lowering my front 2" and want all my HP w/o dents in headers. I was thinking about the McJacks 1 5/8 welded headers. It will hopefully be the least compromise.
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
I am very interested in this subject. I plan on lowering my front 2" and want all my HP w/o dents in headers. I was thinking about the McJacks 1 5/8 welded headers. It will hopefully be the least compromise.
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
I am very interested in this subject. I plan on lowering my front 2" and want all my HP w/o dents in headers. I was thinking about the McJacks 1 5/8 welded headers. It will hopefully be the least compromise.
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan
I mailed McJack about dyno results. He has a 100K stk 71 w/rh did 195 rwhp, w/McJacks 211 rwhp. That sounds about right to me. In my reading, the stronger the engine, the greater benifit from headers.
I read an article where a hi rpm sb gained over 40 fwhp w/headers over rh, anyone else read this?
My 74 has 280 rwhp w/stk rh ex. Anything over 300 rwhp would be nice.
Am I being too optimistic?
Ricisan