Opinion on Stainless Steel Manifolds:

[Captain D]

Hi all,

Just curious to get any opinions, feedback, input, etc. on the stainless steel header / exhaust manifolds based on the two links below:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152214215170?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161277414001?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

In addition to the feedback, I was also curious to ask if I may please - do you feel that these manifolds should either be wrapped or powder-coated to help reduce the amount of heat? Or, simply leave them 'as is?' Although I realize that the finish may not flake, I'm wondering if they'll potentially turn in color...?

Thank you for your time,
Aaron

[RallyeMike]

They will absolutely discolor. Still better than rust!

I wonder about fitment on the driver side with PS and the starter. They basically say that they fit every car ever made, but for the price it would probably be worth a shot.

[Captain D]

Thank you for the reply,

What color would something like this turn to? Is it a gold-like color? I wonder if it is worthwhile to have them powder-coated. As for fitting, I was told that these manifolds would be a benefit because it clears the starter for easier replacement. So, I agree - perhaps worthwhile to consider them. I'm just curious to learn to powder-coat or not to powder-coat...

Thanks again for your reply & I'm curious to learn more.
Aaron

[Kern Dog]

Nearly every steel or chrome plated header discolors with colors like a rainbow, mainly blue and reddish orange.

[green69rt]

I see that they also fit a 426 but it doesn't say hemi.  I don't know if that makes sense?   

[HPP]

If the picture is representative of the manifold, then no, they won't fit 426 Hemis, just 426 Wedges. 426 wedge was a derivative of the 413 and were available for a few years in the mid '60s.

Yes, they will discolor with use. They will tend to turn blue closest to the port then fade to an orange and  gold out from there. Discoloration may consist of the first fraction of an inch to a few inches depending on compression ratio and cam timing.

Traditional powder coating would not be adequate to protect them. You would want a high temp thermal coating.

Based on some testing I've seen, shorty headers are not significantly more powerful than the OEM HP cast iron units. If dealing with the headaches of header bolts, I'd go full length to maximize the benefits.

[Troy]

I see that they also fit a 426 but it doesn't say hemi.  I don't know if that makes sense?   

There was a 426 wedge before the 440 (413, 426, 440, and even a 383):
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/383.html

Troy

[c00nhunterjoe]

I would not waste the money on shortys. I have heard good things about the obx brand stainless longtubes for big block chrysler. While i have not personally used them, i have heard they are knockoffs of either hedman or doug thorleys.

[Captain D]

...I suppose it all depends on what kind of car one is building. Since the stainless steel manifolds may diminish horsepower, I suppose that factor alone can be a deal-breaker for those concerned with racing, etc. My car, for instance, is primarily used for shows, events, etc. and personal desire for easy access to the starter if it's ever in need of replacing (and more room under the hood, in general).

I've actually seen the 'colors' on cars at the shows & I agree - if I had to choose between the colors vs. rust, I'd take the slight variation in colors, lol. Thanks y'all for the many replies & info to debate!

[c00nhunterjoe]

Stainless has no effect on power. The length of the tubes for scavenging does.

[Nacho-RT74]

I see that they also fit a 426 but it doesn't say hemi.  I don't know if that makes sense?   

There was a 426 wedge before the 440 (413, 426, 440, and even a 383):
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/383.html

Troy

stolen my words

but had to post! lol

[Nacho-RT74]

aaand, High temp paints holds perfectly the manifold rust finish... BTDT on a driver

[RallyeMike]

...I suppose it all depends on what kind of car one is building

Exactly. I have RB and B engines in my 60 Plymo and 57 Dodge. Headers other than full custom are not an option, so both have the rusty, heavy old stove pipe HP manifolds. These would be a nice upgrade. ... if I had the will and time to do it.

[heyoldguy]

If the picture is representative of the manifold, then no, they won't fit 426 Hemis, just 426 Wedges. 426 wedge was a derivative of the 413 and were available for a few years in the mid '60s.

Yes, they will discolor with use. They will tend to turn blue closest to the port then fade to an orange and  gold out from there. Discoloration may consist of the first fraction of an inch to a few inches depending on compression ratio and cam timing.

Traditional powder coating would not be adequate to protect them. You would want a high temp thermal coating.

Based on some testing I've seen, shorty headers are not significantly more powerful than the OEM HP cast iron units. If dealing with the headaches of header bolts, I'd go full length to maximize the benefits.

Here is a test that seems to disagree with the "shorty headers are not significantly more powerful than the OEM HP cast iron units."

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0106-manifolds-vs-headers/

[c00nhunterjoe]

Also, on a mild build, 1 3/4 tubes are plenty. That said, header bolts themselves are typically not a pain to work with on those. My 100 dollar heddmans were not a problem to install on the automatic. Right side slid in from the bottom and bokted right up. Driver side was the same, just slid starter in with the header then bolted them on. With the 4 speed, had to remove the z bar for install and the driver header tube kissed the 11" clutch bellhousing. Took maybe 15 minutes of extra work. In my experience the difficulty with long tubes come into play with large tubes such as 2" and bigger.

[John_Kunkel]

Buyer Beware. Some of those E-bay stainless headers come way close to the spark plug boots, hi-temp boots will be required.

[BSB67]

...I suppose it all depends on what kind of car one is building. Since the stainless steel manifolds may diminish horsepower, I suppose that factor alone can be a deal-breaker for those concerned with racing, etc. My car, for instance, is primarily used for shows, events, etc. and personal desire for easy access to the starter if it's ever in need of replacing (and more room under the hood, in general).

I've actually seen the 'colors' on cars at the shows & I agree - if I had to choose between the colors vs. rust, I'd take the slight variation in colors, lol. Thanks y'all for the many replies & info to debate!

It does not look like performance is driving your decisions making.  So is it cost or appearance?  Do you have manifolds now or not?

[c00nhunterjoe]

He has long tubes on it now. Mild street 383, very tame cam, slightly over stock. Not sure what the driving factor for change is yet.

[Captain D]

"Stainless headers come way close to the spark plug boots, hi-temp boots will be required."

Thank you John for the tip - it's stuff like this I was curious to learn more about. As for the stainless steel manifolds, I may or may not go for them...I'm just trying to learn more about them just in case as a potential option later on down the road. Overall, I think it's a blend of both cost and appearance. In the meantime, I'd like to scout for these high-temp boots and check their availability, cost, etc. As a side note, does anyone happen to have these stainless steel manifolds installed on any of your rides, by chance?

Many thanks again for the replies & discussion!
Aaron   

[c00nhunterjoe]

Lots of options on the boots.
CjwKEAjw1qHABRDU9qaXs4rtiS0SJADNzJisS3EryGqK1NmcrnipTJ6kVX5rsfBgsZv3rCyYnLo2JBoCk7jw_wcB

CjwKEAjw1qHABRDU9qaXs4rtiS0SJADNzJisvyjpq27fKLFBOGTHIosFlZ_11ekfFiuDOYD7YAxqzxoCmYnw_wcB

[Troy]

If the picture is representative of the manifold, then no, they won't fit 426 Hemis, just 426 Wedges. 426 wedge was a derivative of the 413 and were available for a few years in the mid '60s.

Yes, they will discolor with use. They will tend to turn blue closest to the port then fade to an orange and  gold out from there. Discoloration may consist of the first fraction of an inch to a few inches depending on compression ratio and cam timing.

Traditional powder coating would not be adequate to protect them. You would want a high temp thermal coating.

Based on some testing I've seen, shorty headers are not significantly more powerful than the OEM HP cast iron units. If dealing with the headaches of header bolts, I'd go full length to maximize the benefits.

Here is a test that seems to disagree with the "shorty headers are not significantly more powerful than the OEM HP cast iron units."

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0106-manifolds-vs-headers/

Reading that article was interesting. I noted that they said Hedman spent a lot of time finding the best fit. Comparing theirs to the ones on eBay it looks like they angle back and down where the eBay ones drop straight down. If the Hedman 78070s do actually fit then I think I'd be more inclined to fork over the $200 (Amazon price right now) versus the untried stainless ones for $130 or $160. Or maybe one day when I'm super bored I can test them all. (Highly unlikely!!!)

Troy

[John_Kunkel]

As a side note, does anyone happen to have these stainless steel manifolds installed on any of your rides, by chance?

Here's a pic of E-bay stainless headers installed on BB with Stealth heads in my friend's '33 Willys. Some of the end tubes needed considerable dimpling to clear the boots.

[John_Kunkel]

Nearing completion, starting the wiring then the interior.

[Captain D]

Many thanks for all of the replies and helpful insight regarding this thread topic - good info all round' and I'll be sure to save it if / when I ever decide to go this route,  .

Best wishes,
Aaron