headers or manifolds

[poorboy]

I have both. I like the way both look. How much more power do you really get out of headers? What do you prefer?

[Hillbilly Deluxe 65]

on a stock motor prolly around 10-20 on a motro with the right setup prolly around 30-50

[Stepside65]

Personally I like the way headers look. I'm more partial to shorties tho.

[greg64]

I don't think it's a fair contest. Most headers look great and are in good condition. On the other hand, most manifolds are rusty old pieces. Manifolds that are cleaned up and then painted/coated look pretty good, IMHO.

On the flip side, old rusty headers look like crap.

[badriand]

Have had both. Just my experience headers leak even the nice ones in do time (my luck). Can't seem to get to the bolts on headers as well. Manifold slap them daddy's on and be done with it. I am always the exception to the rule so i may just be jinxed on headers.

[Jamie @ Doug Thorley]

I vote for headers . But then again, I'm a little biased.

The key to having leak free headers is to retighten your bolts after one heat cycle and then again after around 500 miles or so. Quailty of materials have alot to do with it as well but if you use good gaskets and have headers with nice thick flanges, you should'nt have many problems.

[gulfcoast66]

Im going with headers they keep my engine bay heat down alot, when i first put on my headers it was for preformance but i was running alot cooler on the engine so headers it is.

[ron19]

If you want to keep it orginal, then manifolds. But for me, this more like a hotrod than anything, and headers are a complete neccesity when looking for any kind of performance