318ci: original manifold exhaust system VS header exhaust system. Opinions please.

[rrbbkk]

I have a '74 Challenger with a mildly built 318 (upgraded cam, Edelbrock intake manifold, Edelbrock 650 4bbl carb). About fifteen years ago I had cheap headers added to the set up. Of course the lower, drivers side header got mashed on a railroad track or steep driveway almost immediately. The car continued to run fine so I left it. The exhaust pipes were cheap pipes bent and installed by a chain muffler shop. Likewise the mufflers themselves which were/are some variation of inexpensive "turbo mufflers". No attempt was made to replace the original style Mopar resonators or original style mufflers. Everything works fine but it never sounded quite (Mopar) right.
I still have the original exhaust manifolds. I'm trying to decide if I should return to the original style exhaust set up and use resonators and original style mufflers. I'm not sure how much power the headers added to my modest set up anway. Or, should I leave well enough alone? Thoughts? OPinions?

 

[Xcudame]

If it were me, I'd buy a new set of 340 exhaust manifolds and get a nice 2 1/2" dual exhaust system put on it. Either that, or the more expensive option of TTI headers (they have better ground clearance).

Post in thread '340 Exhaust Manifolds Coming Soon'

Nov 2, 2025

Any updates on availability and price?

Thanks,

Kansan

• Kansan

 

[Chryco Psycho]

There are only 3 good headers for the small block , TTI , Dougs & Hooker 5115 , all stay above the steering link & have good ground clearance if you want to use headers .
318 manifolds don't flow well But the later 92 up Magnum manifold do & should be able to locate easily in wreckers or online , They outflow the expensive 340 manifolds too .

 

[roadrunninMark]

What about shorty headers? My car will be mainly for street, hopped up 318, so I wanted something that will give best ground clearance and not restrict power like manifolds. I was looking at block hugger shorties, like from Speedmaster. Price is cheap. Anyone run these? Here is a link.. Mopar Chrysler SB 318 340 360 Block Hugger Stainless Steel Exhaust Header

Then there is this style, even less expensive, and seem to have better tubing. Is this a real company and would these fit an e body? Stainless Exhaust Header for 1994-2004 5.2L 5.9L V8 Dodge Durango Dakota Ram 1500 2500 3500

 

[rrbbkk]

I was considering shorty headers too but I stumbled across a pair of Magnum 5.2/5.6 manifolds from a 92 or 93 Dodge Ram as mentioned above. These are supposed to bolt right to an old 318 and the price was very right. They fit my "street asthetic" more that a $700 set of headers. We'll see.

 

[roadrunninMark]

RRBBKK - those in the pic are from a stock 92-93 Ram/ Dakota? I thought that had more of a log style manifold. Do you have a picture of them in your car?
The ones in your pic look like the ones in my second link. I like those more than the block huggers.

 

[rrbbkk]

RRBBKK - those in the pic are from a stock 92-93 Ram/ Dakota? I thought that had more of a log style manifold. Do you have a picture of them in your car?
The ones in your pic look like the ones in my second link. I like those more than the block huggers.

No, the car is in storage, incidentally within spittin' distance of that big winter pile-up in Michigan you may have seen on TV today. I'll get it out in late March and this will be the first project. The guy that sold them to me said he had them on a Ram truck and some kind of JEEP. They do bear a shocking resemblance to the ones in your picture.

 

[rrbbkk]

What should I use to clean these "manifolds"? Should I paint them and if so, with what? Thanks all!

 

[roadrunninMark]

OK, thanks. I was curious if the back part had any clearance issues. I would get all the old paint off of them and then coat them with some thermal paint. Eastwood has it and they also have a coating for the inside.