Edbert - No kidding, 562HP, that’s exactly why I can’t afford some custom headers!!!! LOL. I’m positive my engine needs some custom headers to maximize performance....in fact all performance motors do. I’ve been doing a lot of research about custom headers and I found a company (Burns Stainless) that has a computer program that takes your engine information and spits out dimensions for every aspect of your custom header e.g. collector diameter, primary diameter, length of transition tubes, 4-into-1 collector, or tri-y design etc. Apparently the results are amazing, even over "regular custom headers" that are supposed to flow better due to less design compromises. They even say that a tri-y design is optimum for almost 90% of applications out there, especially since they have so many extra dimensions to tweak to maximize performance.
So basically I was just trying to see what everyone else thought about the headers they have, because I’m going to have to live with something for a few years before I can buy my next set of headers. The stainless version will probably come in at about $1500, and I’m a poor college kid that can’t afford that right now--especially since the motor. I heard Hooker Super comps were the best too, but I also heard that they create the most fitting problems. I also have power steering and a Toploader 4-speed, so I was worried they may not work with my application. I think they might also hang very low which is a problem since my car is a little lower in the front--by how much I don’t know.
I’ve only had two header designs on my Stangs. The first is the classic tri-y design that hangs way low, like on my coupe. My coupe isn’t lowered and even they scrape sometimes, so I know I can’t use them on the Fastback. The other was the Sanderson Shorty Headers that were a pain to get on. The collector was short, and angled in towards the engine so it was almost impossible to get three bolts on the collector (so it would leak when they vibrated loose), they also blocked the use of a socket on the #4 and #8 plugs, so sometimes the plugs would vibrate loose no matter how I tried to tighten them. So I’ll never put those pieces o’ s*#t in my car again.
Slapper - I have Trick Flow Specialties Twisted Wedge Heads with angled plugs. One of the pipes on the old headers completely blocked off one of my plugs, and the flange didn’t allow the use of a socket on the other, so that is where the problems came from.
hhead - I’ve got a 65 with a 289, 4 speed Toploader, power steering, and I have to worry about groung clearance. I don’t know, will they fit?
fasback brian - It sounds like a lot of people have this same problem. I guess I’m just looking for something that’ll give the most power, yet still fit. I guess I’m just trying not to spend too much money either, but I’ve always taken performance over money for the most part. This next set of headers is just a temporary solution until I get the custom headers made.
65shlbycln - Ok here is the fun part.....I have some eye candy for you--let me resize some phots real quick. Here are the pics I took right before the engine went off for the dyno tune, as well as a shot during the dyno tune. I have some video of the tune too, but the sound is horrible and that is the most important part of the video. I guess my computer couldn’t keep up with the download from the camera.
Thanks everyone for you responses!
DJ
P.S. Here are the engine specs:
Block: Vintage 289
Bore: 4.060
Stroke: 3.4
Cubic Inches: 352
Crankshaft: Scat 4340 Forged Steel
Compression: 10.8:1
Rods: Scat 4340 Forged Steel H-Beam
Pistons: JE/SRP Forged Aluminum dished for 10.8:1 compression
Rings: Total Seal
Bearings: Clevite 77
Camshaft: Competition Cams Custom Hydraulic Roller
Timing Chain: Pro Gear Competition Timing Set
Rockers: Crane Cams 1.72 Ratio Gold Race Rockers
Lifters: Competition Cams Rollers
Pushrods: Manley
Oil Pump: Mellings
Oil Pan: Canton Road Race 9 Quart
Ignition: MSD Digital 6 Ignition, MSD Coil, MSD Pro-Billet Dist
Pulleys: Stock for now
Crank Dampner: BHJ Competition
Engine Mounts: TCP
Water Pump: Aluminum Edelbrock Victor Jr.
Miscellaneous: ARP bolts on and in everything
Cylinder Head Specifications --
Brand & Model: Trick Flow Specialties Twisted Wedge
Valves: 2.02/1.98
Port Work: Full Competition Port and Polish, five angle valve job
Components: Isky--Roller springs, 10 degree locks and retainers, positive valve stem seals
Gaskets: Fel Pro Performance
Miscellaneous: Resurfaced, better valve guides and hardware
Induction System Specifications --
Intake: Polished Cobra Aluminum Hi-Rise
Port Work: Intake to head matching port job
T-Body / Carb: Holley 4150 HP--750 cfm mechanical secondaries
Miscellaneous--
Flywheel / Converter: Billet Steel Centerforce
Clutch Setup: Centerforce Dual Friction