Exhaust thoughts

[booyaballer]

My 70 Challenger has a 360 crate engine with apparent BB headers and H pipe exhaust (unknown brands). As you can see the ground clearance is terrible which wasn't helped by the Hotchkis TVS front and rear kit that I installed. I have also converted it from a 727 tranny to SST's 5 Speed Tremec. I am planning on getting the TTI 1-5/8 x 1-3/4 small block headers #340BE because it sounds like they will fit w/ full starter and no other issues (fingers crossed).

Because by now I've learned that something always seems to come up, I'm reaching out to see what issues you recommend I anticipate or what else I should consider doing while they are out. Also, should the new headers fit and line up with the H pipe? thanks for any feed back.

 

[NoCar340]

You should pick up a bit of ground clearance with the TTi headers, although I don't know how much on an E-body. Your collector flanges will probably be the lowest point, certainly higher than your current primary tubes. I worry a lot more about the 10-quart oil pan on my Valiant than I do about the headers... for obvious reasons:

In terms of fitting your existing exhaust, they likely won't bolt straight up to what's there. Again, the car I've got them on is an A-body, but in my experience most header manufacturers don't worry about getting the collectors aligned with the exhaust clearance in the factory crossmember. They point the collectors straight back. TTi does worry about it, and though it's not really evident in the pictures below, the TTi collectors point toward the exhaust clearance. As a result, they don't point straight back--they point slightly toward the center of the car. I'm guessing your exhaust flanges will be at the wrong angle--and probably too far apart--to bolt straight to the new headers. It shouldn't require a major rework, but there will be some diddling involved.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I have never figured out why most small block headers drop below the steering link , they are terrible for ground clearance .
You will gain a lot using TTI or Dougs as they stay above the center link as they should .

 

[moparleo]

Because your front end is below the factory ride height you might also consider some type of skid-plate under the K-frame to help protect the headers and pan.

 

[craigbred]

I recently installed 2" TTI headers, and a 3" exhaust on a 440/505. The flanges were the lowest point. To keep everything "up" as much as I could, I put a spacer between the trans mount and the trans to raise the back of the trans about 3/16"and I raised the shift linkage around some too, per TTI's instructions (727 auto). I could not raise the front of the motor any because I was already close to the hood with the carb/air cleaner.
A trick that worked really good was to "roll" the first elbow from the collection up a bit. That got the tubes higher next to the drive shaft early on. If you look close on the installed photo, on the tube on the drivers side, you can see it rolled up a bit. As a side note, this job was a major pain to build. It took my brother-in-law and me 2 days.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I bet it sounds great !

 

[douglas17]

71 Barracuda ,340 six barrel, auto trans. Doug,s headers and 2 1/2 magna flow exhaust.
engine installed from top, lots of room and ground clearance is excellent as seen in second photo .

 

[craigbred]

Hi Psycho,
It's a little quieter than before, which is what I was hoping for.
My old 2 1/2" system had Flow Master Supper 44s, and this 3" has the 14" Magnaflows. I wanted to go with the 18" Magnaflows, but I didn't think they would fit next to the gas tank, and surely not under the floor.
So, in my comparison, the 3", 14" MagnaFlows are a little quieter than the 2 1/2" Flow Master Supper 44.
With the 247@.050 cam, she sounds pretty good, and not over loud.

 

[fasjac]

71 Barracuda ,340 six barrel, auto trans. Doug,s headers and 2 1/2 magna flow exhaust.
engine installed from top, lots of room and ground clearance is excellent as seen in second photo .

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That looks good! Nice and tight

 

[booyaballer]

Thanks for the feedback. i looked at Dougs headers and although they seem cheaper than TTI, it'll be necessary to change to a smaller starter which i'm trying to avoid. Does TTi have a complete headers to tailpipe exhaust system or will have I have to mix with magna's or equivalent?

 

[6packFI]

For an engine that is to be cruised. I would recommend going back to iron manifolds.

 

[Danny Boy]

Agree with 6packFI

Had Hedman Hedders on my 70 318 Challenger back in 70's. Ill fitting and not pleasant

I was not educated on "unintended consequences" associated with headers such as low ground clearance, leaks, heated interior, etc...

Not fun - swore never to put headers in my cars and removed after 2-3 years

In all fairness, I'm sure current headers fit much better....

Like my 70 factory 340 cast iron exhaust manifolds

 

[Adam]

Last night I dreamt I was a muffler on a car; I woke up exhausted...

 

[douglas17]

pretty sure TTI makes a complete system, they had one set up at Carlisle a few years back for an Ebody

 

[erickson]

Yes they do installed mine today