Finally painted my Charger and am putting it back together. I shot it the original B5 blue and had a new black vinyl top put on it. Im about ready to drop the 440 back in it, and was wondering if there were any decent fitting headers. TTIs and Super Comps are not in the budget. I really dont want to run headers and prefer HP manifolds, but I dont do drugs and refuse to pay the $500-600 people ask for those things (budget again). Anyway, its a mild 440, forged TRW "six pack" pistons, 452 heads, and the larger Summit cam. Its in a 69 Charger with floor shift and power steering. I was looking at the Summit headers, and the Hedman headers. I really dont need anything more than a 1.75" tube, so thats why I was looking at those two options. Anybody have any good or bad experience with either of those? Im in AZ, so rust is not an issue around here. Just want a decent middle of the road header that I dont have to annhiliate with a torch and hammer to get in the car

I picked up a pair of HP manifolds locally for $200 so that might be an option for you. I bought them off craigslist. I am planning to add headers over the winter. I am going to have TYDO Racecars make a set of headers for my car. When I researched headers I could not find a set that fit all of my needs which are good ground clearance, and work with power steering and quick ratio steering arms. I figured custom would gaurantee good fit and is really not a lot more money than the good aftermarket versions that are available.

If you ain't racing, save yourself a TON of grief(fitment;spark plug access;heat'issues';starter)and go with cast-iron manifolds...


NO tubes are without 'issues'...

Here's a pair of manifolds: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-440-mopar-...2b6&vxp=mtr

I have run a ton of different Headers on RBs in B Bodies. One of the best Header for fit were Castlers from about 1972. The headers were on a RB motor with a stick. There was only one spark plug on number 7 that I had to use a wrench on, all other were easily accessed with a racket and socket. Likely these headers are not around any more. Also some Black Jack Headers in the old days were ok and some were not. Fit around the tranmission was not so good. Cast Iron manifolds, I sold a set for 300 this summer 68-69 HPs. Friend runs HP68 Manifolds on his 1968 Charger RB440 and it has had 472.484.509 lift DC cam shafts in the motor at different times all with these Manifolds. Car runs the Holley St.Dom.intake and factory 1968 440 carb.


Here is some reading on a dyno test and a few others.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-0106-manifolds-vs-headers/

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...vs-headers.html

There are some Shorty headers that fit somewhat similar to manifolds, and they're affordable ($137 plus shipping):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Shorty-Swa...437&vxp=mtr

Or this pair of HP Manifolds for $389 plus shipping or best offer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-HP-383-440...c47&vxp=mtr

Do you currently have Log Type CI manifolds?

Maybe you could buy one manifold off eBay when you find it at an acceptable price, then buy the other when you can find it?

Swap meets, junkyards, Pick-a-Part junkyards, Craigslist, Moparts Swap board.

I have a pair of HP Exhaust Manifolds, but I keep them in case I ever want to switch back to Stock (have TTI Headers on engine).

The short headers are probably the best bet. They are fairly cheap and will work roughly the same as manifolds, perhaps a bit better. There are a few vendors who carry them.

I guess Ill search a little more for some HPs. I still have a few weeks before the motor goes in. I just know how horrible most headers fit on Mopars, as opposed to GMs and Fords for some reason.

I agree the short headers for what you want may be your best bet. If you did ever go with full lenth headers dont go cheap. Done that before and was not happy. My TTI's fit great and are a quality header. They are not cheap but worth the money to me if you want a good fitting and lasting header. Ron

I agree. I switched from headers to manifolds years ago because the headers available back then were all junk. I've never gone back to headers even though I have seen a few sets now that actually do fit.

I threw a set of cheap Summit Racing headers on my 70 GTX with 440 a year ago to replace the rotted out Hookers.

They fit like a glove, I was shocked.

Hey those look really nice! How is the clearance around the spark plugs? The only thing that draws me to the Hedmans is the ball and socket style collector flange. But if those Summits allow for acceptable access to the spark plugs and fit around the box and torsion bars, they look to be worth the gamble for $130

That is cool. Back in the day I had Hedman headers which didn't fit at all. Total junk. I saved my money and bought Hooker headers which were the hot ticket back then. They didn't fit worth crap either. By then I was out of money and frustrated so I switched to HP manifolds.

In more modern times I've seen TTi headers that fit well and I've seen some Doug's headers that fit really well. So perhaps all is not lost.

No problem with angle boot spark plugs.

I can relate...

Cyclone...

Hedman...

Forget it...


AFTER I talked to their 'tech' guys, went with Hooker...

Not a walk in the park...

But, they still live after 20 years...

(And plug wires that you can 'tweak' your own boot angles...)

I love the fit and finish on my Doug's headers The only place that was close was I had to remove the grease zerk fitting on the pitman arm.
Gus

Well problem solved! Friend of mine knows a guy that had a matching date coded pair of 1969 HP manifolds (2806900 and 2843992) off of a 69 Super Bee, original AZ car, never left the state. Ended up getting them for only $150. Not a single bit of rust pitting, no cracks, and the heat riser is complete and moves freely. Gotta love AZ parts! Glad I waited. Thanks to everyone that replied anyway

One man's junk is another man's treasure.