I've been reading the various header posts and like the idea of Doug's ceramic coated, but am concerned that they might be too much for my mild build 440. From what I can find, they are only available in 2". I have a street cruiser 71 Cuda, 727, stock heads with 3 angle, 650 cfm Eddy Thunder, Speed Pro CS-1148R cam. (That cam is 224/224 and 455/455.) From what I have been reading, it looks like I should be going with 1 3/4" tubes. I have HP manifolds, but want to switch for that SOUND! Is there any way to go with the 2" tubes with the 3" collectors, and use a 2 1/2" exhaust system set-up? Or will that create other problems as a result? TTI has a 1 3/4" but they are another couple hundred $. Any thoughts on how I can use the Doug's? Or based on my set-up, any other good quality brand recommendations? I only put about 1,000 miles per year on the car and only want to do this once! Thanks a lot.

i just have the street hedmans on mine, which are alright and install is easier than with 2". wish i would've had money for ceramic coated ones, the elite hedmans are still 1.75/3", but with the ceramic coating for $350...on my wish list

Hooker makes a 1-7/8" header. You can get them painted or coated. Also, IMO that 650 cfm carb is too small for your engine

I'd go 1-7/8, I used the hookers on a car before 5903 or something like that was the part number. I had to do a little clearancing, but nothing major. This was with manual steering and a mini starter. I also have used the 2" hedmans, which had slip flip tubes and are very easy to installed. Although they need even more clearancing than the hookers did.

I got dougs on my 494 and because they are 2" I had a heck of a time with fried insulators on my spark plugs (6 & 8). Had to go to Jacobs cramic to fix the problem. Go with any good 1 7/8"

I have the Hedman Elite 1-3/4 on the 440 in my 63 street car. Its a mild 440 and runs mid 11's using them. Ron