The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Stock exhaust or headers

I had a question regarding my exhaust on my '66 283. I didn't know whether to put this in the
HI PO section, but here goes.
My truck is a stock '66 fleetside with 283, 3 speed. The motor is done and looks nice, but can't decide on the exhaust. I am told that the headers run cooler with the ceramic coating. I don't mind putting them on if this is the case.
Would dual exhaust be better for this? I don't want to discolor the engine with overheating.
The other issue is the boss on the stock manifold has a place for the alternator, don't know about the headers.
Any comments are appreciated.
thanking you
GWS

I like the ceramic coating - it does dissipate heat better and looks great. As for duals, it's up to you, I don't think the original exhaust would overheat the engine and discolor it but I like duals. You can run them quiet or loud or anything in between. Also look nice with chrome tips. Just my opinion.

I have the old Rams horn cast iron exhaust and am very happy they don't leak like some headers do. You can buy a chrome piece that covers them very nicely Will send you a pic if you want

I dont like headers,, to me they put way to much heat in the cab.. at least they did on my 52 five window.. that sucker would bake you if you got stopped in traffic long...

Fred

I like the original ramhorns & the performance guys say they are just as good unless you are going raceing. I like duals with real long glasspacks. Sounds great.

I don't know what the original diameter is for the rams horn, but is it OK to take heat away?
I want to keep that engine pretty looking with the new paint.
GWS

I have been running headers for a long time and they have their disadvantages. The headers will require replacing from time to time. It isn't just that they can corrode from the outside, but they also corrode from the inside. You have more noise in the cab with headers, and you also lose the heat riser which can make running in cold, or damp weather a problem until the engine warms up.
Like Wrenchbender says, you don't start to see the difference in power unless you are running at high RPM. A stock manifold with dual glasspacks sounds almost as good as tuned headers and costs less in the long run.
Bob

I am sticking with the Rams horn manifolds , thought abough the headers, but been down the road with the leaks an noise and heat in previous projects ...I think the Rams horns breath well clear the starter really nice and with duals you will like it better in the long run , just my 2 cents

when i buy a ride if its got good headers i leave them i have a set on a 77 chevy 20 years old still not leaking and working good but i like cast iron better takes up less room just dont have a nice sound like headers but headers can be a real pain sometimes

Eastwood has some exhaust manifold paint that makes them look like new cast iron. It,s very high temp. & lasts a long time.

Speedway products won a award for making repop rams horns. Look great but kinda spendy.