tti vs. Doug´s headers

[myk]

That sucks; at least you got them in, though.  I'm probably going to go with Doug's as well.  $150-200 may not seem like much money but every penny counts.  Let us know how you like them...

[BSB67]

Mini starter was already installed when I got it.
I'll put up some pics tonight of the plugs and discolouration

Ok, there we go, traces of QQ1...
Passenger side is hitting the shock tower when I really lean on it
The oil cap sometimes pukes onto the header after a big rev which is why it is discoloured there

Thanks for reminding me why I so don't want headers..............

[myk]

Mini starter was already installed when I got it.
I'll put up some pics tonight of the plugs and discolouration

Ok, there we go, traces of QQ1...
Passenger side is hitting the shock tower when I really lean on it
The oil cap sometimes pukes onto the header after a big rev which is why it is discoloured there

Thanks for reminding me why I so don't want headers..............

For f**k's sake I can't decide if I want headers or HP manifolds.  Maybe I should set up a thread/vote...

[Mike DC]

So get something in between the two, like a set of Tri-Y headers.

[myk]

I read that tri Y's have to be specifically built/setup for the car they're being set up on.  Because of that, I understand that 4 into 1's are best for generalized applications like ours.  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.  What about shorty's?

[scott1973]

I received my tti's (1-7/8) and they fit great so far.  Had to bend the oil dip stick tube down to fit.  These headers have tons of room for the angled plugs on my Edelbrock Performer RPM heads.  I'm not use to that.  I had Hooker Comps on my 906's and they were tight.  I am interested to see how the rest of the install goes when we drop the engine in. 

Scott

[myk]

Again I'm amazed at how each car is different with identical modifications.  Makes me wonder just how far off these chassis' are from when they left the factory...

[Kern Dog]

Guys like BSB67 are the exceptions. Guys like him are able to tune their engines to the nth degree to get the most out of their combo. Headers fit and work fine when you step up and pay more. The $200 headers are shit, plain and simple. Hooker makes crappy fitting headers, Hedmans aren't a whole lot better. TTI prices their stuff as if the company owner thinks he has NO competition. Thankfully, Dougs provides a great alternative.
I have 2" TTIs in my Charger. 2 years ago, I replaced my K member with another that I welded and stiffened up with some gussets in the steering box mounts. The headers fit and cleared before the K swap, but afterward they hit the steering box. This tells me that the factory jigging of the K members wasn't exact from one unit to the next. Knowing this, it is clear that header companies have a pisser of a time making stuff for our cars. Ma Mopar didn't give a rats scrotum about what happened to these cars once they were off of the assembly line. The drivers side alone has steering linkage, trans shift linkage, (OR clutch linkage)  ATF lines, Neutral safety switch & wiring, a starter & wiring, speedo cable and a torsion bar all in the way of 4 header tubes trying to fit in.
Ever try to install headers in a 70 and later Camaro or Chevelle? Front mounted steering linkage, coil spring suspension, ATF lines and starter on the right.....
But then you'd have to drive a Chevy...

[myk]

All good points Kern.

Then there's also the question of which muffler to use.  Some say "X" brand is too loud, others say it isn't loud enough, or there is/isn't resonation, on and on and on.  Again there are so many differences between our cars that one setup will work differently or not at all.  I've tried watching YouTube clips with startups and idles but...once you get past the agonizingly slow process of the owner FINALLY getting their Charger to actually START, (why would someone film that part anyway?), the car is just too quiet.  Ironically you know muffler that made the biggest impression?  Flowmasters...

[Kern Dog]

I liked the sound of the Flowmasters at idle. Where it annoyed me was when driving alongside sound walls or another vehicle. The sound waves reverberated too much for me. I later went with a mandrel x pipe with 3" tubes and Ultra Flo mufflers. The idle sound is muted but it is much more pleasant at cruise.

[myk]

I liked the sound of the Flowmasters at idle. Where it annoyed me was when driving alongside sound walls or another vehicle. The sound waves reverberated too much for me. I later went with a mandrel x pipe with 3" tubes and Ultra Flo mufflers. The idle sound is muted but it is much more pleasant at cruise.

Which Flowmasters did you use-40's?

[Kern Dog]

I can't remember if they were the 42451 or the 42541. I did save them and weld them into the Power wagon. I can get under it Sunday to see.

[myk]

So when it comes to exhaust everyone talks about "drone," and it seems to be the deciding factor for liking or hating a muffler and exhaust.  Just what is drone?  I'm guessing it's the constant tone that dominates all other exhaust noise and establishes itself during cruising speeds/conditions?  If that is the drone that everyone hates so much, I have to say that noise from the exhaust is what I consider to be the sweet spot of the exhaust range.  In my car I hit that spot from 40-55 mph and when traffic allows, I'll try to drive at that speed just so I can listen to it as long as I can.  Is that the noise that everyone hates so much, with particular emphasis pointed towards the Flowmasters? 

[Kern Dog]

I interpret DRONE as where the exhaust tone drills an annoying beam of noise through your brain.
Imagine the sound that occurs when you are in a high load, low rpm condition where the exhaust resonates or reverberates like crazy. Drone is directly tied to load and rpms. Drone changes if you downshift and the rpms go up. Many things contribute to it from exhaust tubing size, muffler type, whether or not you have tailpipes that exit under the rear bumper and other factors.
Look around. There are many reports of combinations that worked and others that didn't. Personally, I find that headers actually reduce the risk of drone noise.