Which headers for a 74-440 ?

[DANF]

Finally getting this 74 440 back together. Body is coming out of paint shop this weekend.  440 and 727 totally rebuilt. Engine has been on the Dyno over the winter. 452 hp with 492 ft/lbs - my son and I are so pumped to get this thing running.  We tried 1 3/4" and 1 7/8" headers when we dyno'd it.  The 1 3/4" seemed too perform better.  So now I'm down to selection of header.  I would go with the 1.75" with a 3" collector.  The collector fits my existing exhaust (no shorty's).   But what brand fits the best and performs the best in this car?  Is the thermal coating worth the money?  Any advice would be appreciated. 

Standard size starter, ps and no a/c.

thanks

[firefighter3931]

Dan, i would use the 13/4 headers because the dyno said they worked better. Bigger primaries will move the power curve up and rob some of your bottom end power. I saw this first hand when we dynoed my E-headed 446....the big 2in tubes hurt the tq number (30 ftlbs below 3000rpm) and they didn't make any more power (HP) than the 17/8 in tubes. On a 450 hp combo a 13/4in tube is fine. 

There are a lot of good options in that size. The feedback on these Thorley headers has been very good and the price is better than the $850.00 TTI's. Nice thick flanges, 14 guage construction and ceramic coated. I would also suggest a better header gasket like the MR Gasket ultra seals or the Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets (which are reusable).


http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=DTE%2D152%2DC&N=700+4294923429+4294839039+4294918680+4294908110+4294908099+4294925073+4294840062+115&autoview=sku





Ron

[DANF]

Thanks FF!!   I think I'm going to go for it with the Thorleys.  I saw a set on a 440 at Mopars in the Park in Shakopee, MN a couple weeks ago.  The owner said they were really nice.   Flange thickness was impressive compared to others.

What software do you use to shrink your pics down to fit this site.  I'd like to get a few posted?

thanks again

[Mike DC]

 
Agreed on the Doug Thorley headers.  They fit pretty well and they don't hang down very low for a set of full headers. 

The TTIs just seem like a bit of a ripoff. 
I know they're beautifully designed for a great fit, but I don't see how that covers it.  Every other header on the market had to be designed too.

 

[Charger-Bodie]

in my opinion the tti headers are just " designed" better than the rest!

[firefighter3931]

in my opinion the tti headers are just " designed" better than the rest!

If you compare the Thorley's to the TTI's they are allmost identical. I went with TTI for the 2 in primaries and Thorley doesn't carry anything that big. I luv the TTI's but if i were going with a smaller tube then the Thorley's would get the nod....hands down. The $300.00 difference isn't worth it in that instance and you can buy a nice intake manifold and other parts with the price difference. 

Oddly, all TTI BB headers are priced the same....whether 13/4 X 3 or the Indy step 2-21/8 x 3.5 and everything in between. 


I'm sure Dan will Luv these headers.....some good reading on the Thorley and other headers from a Summit Racing representative :

http://www.moparts.com/Tech/Archive/exhaust/17.html




Ron

[firefighter3931]

Thanks FF!!   I think I'm going to go for it with the Thorleys.  I saw a set on a 440 at Mopars in the Park in Shakopee, MN a couple weeks ago.  The owner said they were really nice.   Flange thickness was impressive compared to others.

What software do you use to shrink your pics down to fit this site.  I'd like to get a few posted?

thanks again

You're welcome Dan.....see the link in the post above for some positive feedback on the Thorley's 


I use this online resizer to shrink/resize pics....if i can do it...anyone can ! 

http://www.resize2mail.com/


Post some pics when you get a chance 




Ron

[DANF]

Ok...here goes with the first pics - hopefully they are small enough.

Pic of Eng and tranny in garage - all togehter now
Pic of the car when I brought it home 74, 440, all matching, I'm told 1 of 208 in 1974 440 magnum
Pic of the big girl in the paint shop.

I'll post more as I go if these work.

[DANF]

Oops!  Another

[DANF]

Now I need to figure out how to post more than one at a time.  Keeps telling me I already posted the file and to rename.  Thanks FF....I'm finally posting pics - I'll take more and post them.  The car is out of paint and the vinyl  top is on and the front end rebuilt.

[firefighter3931]

Nice project Dan ! 

Good work on getting the pics resized and posted 



Ron

[Charger1973]

Some people have had trouble with headers in 3rd gen Chargers.  Im not sure the details because I havent tried it myself yet, but do a search and see if you can turn up any info on it.  Better to check ahead of time....   Oh and nice car!