Any one using TTI shorty headers? I have a few questions.

[Copilot]

I have a 68 340 with X heads going into a 73 challenger.
Q. Any issues with oil filter fitment?
Q. what size tubes should I get, pretty much stock build
Q Can you remove the starter without removing the header?
Q. Any heat soak with starter?
I have a Borgerson steering box but that should not be any issue.
Thanks in advance

 

[Xcudame]

If you're going with the shorty headers, they only come in 1 5/8 tubes.

I personally have not used any small block TTI Shorty Headers, but the long tube headers sure fit nice. No issues with the oil filter or Mopar mini starters. Some aftermarket mini starters have weird electrical posts that require an adaptor. If space allows, I highly recommend some kind of insulation for the starter. Headers, even shorties expel a lot more heat.

 

[Copilot]

If you're going with the shorty headers, they only come in 1 5/8 tubes.

I personally have not used any small block TTI Shorty Headers, but the long tube headers sure fit nice. No issues with the oil filter or Mopar mini starters. Some aftermarket mini starters have weird electrical posts that require an adaptor. If space allows, I highly recommend some kind of insulation for the starter. Headers, even shorties expel a lot more heat.

I have TTI long tube headers on my charger (440). Kinda pain in the A$$. Heat soak starter, hitting the torsion bar on passenger side at idle. But remedied that with a torque strap, I think that is the correct name. Cannot remove the starter without loosing the header and jacking the motor on driver side. Also cannot remove trans with headers in place. So I was looking into shorty's to avoid most of the problems.

 

[Xcudame]

Shorty headers should be better! And adjusting TTI headers to not hit torsion bars is not uncommon. In TTI's defense, they designed their headers for Mopars built to dimensions! However, we've found out some of our Mopars are half an inch (or more) out of specifications!! Thrust me, Shivvy and Phord were worse!!

 

[Copilot]

Shorty headers should be better! And adjusting TTI headers to not hit torsion bars is not uncommon. In TTI's defense, they designed their headers for Mopars built to dimensions! However, we've found out some of our Mopars are half an inch (or more) out of specifications!! Thrust me, Shivvy and Phord were worse!!

I think i'm just getting old and lazy. Thanks for the info.

 

[540HemiCuda]

FYI: TTI has had a lot of problems with their coatings. Plenty of threads on the subject on other boards. My personal experience with several sets of them is that the coating is marginal to say the least. And get this; when I called them about the rust on a sunny dry day only driven car with their hedders; they asked me if I sprayed them with WD40 when I parked it. Really? That's the best they could come up with on a $1,200 set of hedders? But they fit great and otherwise are the best hedders I know of for many Mopar applications. So I order them bare and have a reputable company coat them.

 

[pschlosser]

they asked me if I sprayed them with WD40 when I parked it.

what are they smokin? who in their right mind would endure the smoke this would produce?
that said, back in the day, most coatings that last were beyond many budgets, and rusty headers were common place.
it takes many years for the surface rust to work its way through the header pipe enough to justify replacement.
most (lower-hanging) headers i've seen replaced were done so because of damage to the collectors, scraping those driveways as they enter and exit.
some of us, just live with a little surface rust, especially in coastal areas of the planet.

 

[540HemiCuda]

I have actually seen new, out of the box TTIs with rust clearly beginning at the flange joint. I have none of the rust problems when I use reputable coating companies.

 

[heminut]

I guess TTI's quality has gone down over the years when it comes to their coatings! The TTIs on my Cuda were bought back in 2008 and they still look new, no rust whatsoever.

 

[Copilot]

FYI: TTI has had a lot of problems with their coatings. Plenty of threads on the subject on other boards. My personal experience with several sets of them is that the coating is marginal to say the least. And get this; when I called them about the rust on a sunny dry day only driven car with their hedders; they asked me if I sprayed them with WD40 when I parked it. Really? That's the best they could come up with on a $1,200 set of hedders? But they fit great and otherwise are the best hedders I know of for many Mopar applications. So I order them bare and have a reputable company coat them.

I have TTI long tube headers on my 69 charger for 15 years, 20,000 miles and no problems with coating or rust. I was looking at the shorty's for my challenger because I don't like the hassle of the long tube, as I mentioned above. Thanks

 

[TIMINATOR]

Most shorty headers crack due to the percentage difference between tube lengths and expansion rates. Figure the ratio of the difference between the two center and end tube lengths. Although they do flow better than manifolds, they don't have any length to be tuned within the rpm range an engine operates in. IMHO shortys are a "feel good" addition and have a nicer look, but the cost/performance gain (negligable) and their propensity to cracking are too big of a negative for me to consider.
Coating shortys slightly delays cracking, but again, the cost/longevity benifits just aren't there.
If you drive like a 70 year old woman so the headers never heat up, they will last longer without cracking, but then again, why spend the cash?
A friend (78 years old then) paid to have a a set of Sanderson shorties (almost $700.00!!! with shipping) installed on the 383 in his 55 Chebbie. I warned him, but he said they have a lifetime warrenty.
They cracked between the 2 center tubes (short) and the 2 outside tubes (almost 3 times longer) in under 3 weeks.
He paid to have them removed and sent back. His car sat for 4 and a half weeks before they were returned. The coating was ground off near the weld repairs and spray painted with silver paint!
He sold them for a hundred bucks and installed long tube coated Hedman's.
Gas mileage and transient response are better, as is the "butt dyno" feel.
The coated long tubes are still fine over 2 years later.
TIMINATOR