A-body Heddman headers install w/ B engine.

[flyboy01]

Unfortunately I just found out the headers I was going to buy are no longer made. I now need a header for a B engine in my 68 Dart, 73 K-frame, Schumaker SB to BB conversion mounts. I was offered a fair deal for a new set of TTI 1 3/4 headers, but at over $600 new, they are a little rich for me. What are some less expensive options? Pro Parts partial fenderwell headers? I was really hoping for underchassis headers to retain tire clearance.

[75Dart440]

I was at the same fork in the road as you are!!  There just aren't any easy to install, excellent fitting, under chassis, non starter-trapping, starter killing, high performance headers out there for these A-bodies with 440's in em.  I decided to sacrifice some HP on the top end just to get ease of installation, and underchassis install without all of the headaches with fender well and other large tube "under chassis" headers.  Went with the Schumachers.

I liked my old Hooker SuperComp 2" fenderwell headers for the performance, but not willing to cut this car up and deal with tire clearance on the street.

As far as Pro-parts, CPPA, TTI, etc........I just don't like changing starters on a regular basis.  Although some people on here have had good luck with their headers/starters.   

[kzinge1]

I just installed the Maddog 2" headers on my 383 with stock heads. They fit pretty good, however there are some issues.  I had to clearance them on the Driver's side #3 pipe for the spark plug. Had to clearance some for the steering box and steering column.  Also I couldn't use my Low Pro Milodon Oil pan because the way it flares. I bought one from 440source and it fits great.  Also had to get a flexible trans dipstick.  Also the #1 pipe on the passenger side is tough to get on because the inside bolt is hard to get to.  Other than that they went in in about 2 hours with the mods.  These headers could be very good with some small adjustments from the guy who makes them.  But all in all I am happy with them and they cost me about $450 shipped + $30 for some header paint from Eastwood. Still cheaper than TTI's and they fit. YOU MUST USE STOCK HEADS THOUGH.

[flyboy01]

Where do you buy Maddog headers?

What about the proParts? The guy I talked to said they fit 440, but he is not sure on 383's.

[evstraus]

I to had the same dilemma. I ended up choking down the 8+ bones for the tti 1 3/4 inch headers. I tried to go the cheaper route and bought some Hooker Competition 1 7/8 inch B and E Body headers. After many hours of  and lots of cuts and scrapes to my hands I gave up.  If you are willing to cut and re-route a few (3) tubes they would work. The biggest problem was the steering linkage would interfer just enough not to let work. I wanted a good quality header to start with rather then the cheap summit types out there. Eric 

[flyboy01]

Anybody got pics of the Pro Part headers? I am pretty interested in those, I see that there is a write up in the tech pages, but nothing on a completed engine?

[mopar_eric]

I actually have been in a dilemma lately with headers. I was using hedmans (cheap but they work) and I now have a set of pro parts headers and was worried about fitment with a low deck so I called up bob mazzolini racing yesterday to find out the scoop. The guy I spoke with said that many people are in fact using these headers in street driven a bodies with low deck motors with good results. I'll make sure to post some photos when I get mine installed since I've been a bit skeptical having a street driven low deck and all

[flyboy01]

I called and asked him the exact same question, he told me that he only guarantees they will work with a 440, but not a low deck engine. When are you going to install them? How much did you pay for them?

[mopar_eric]

I got a smokin deal for em, 100$ shipped used!! They've never been installed but have a little surface rust. Nothing that won't come out with a little sanding and hi temp paint though.
When I get the motor back in the car (should be a couple weeks) I'll test fit the tubes that go underchassis before I decide if I'm going to cut. I'll try and snap some pics to show the deal on a low deck since it seems there's alot of conflicting info out there. The heddmans I have in it now fit pretty tight but they're in the car. It'll take a signifigant amount of work to change over so I won't swap to them unless they look like they'll really work out well.

I really would like a beefier flange, larger primary, and ability to run a mini starter though. Decisions decisions...

[ari440]

proparts headers

they fit 906 to indy heads

a moterplate is easy to center the heigth you want ,

from 906 heads, I lowwer the moter down because the indys are taller

and got the same heigth it helps for hood /scoop clearence

[mopar_eric]

got any pics of the bottom? I'm trying to imagine an extra inch of height difference between the 440->383....


Thanks!
Eric

[ari440]

[mopar_eric]

kick ass....

I have that same pan. Looks like it'll be the lowest point still on my car. I can live with that.

Thanks a bunch!

[ari440]

your welcome 

[flyboy01]

Thanks for the pics, but you have a 440, I still want to know if anyone actually has a set installed with a 383/400 block.

[ari440]

440jim on moparts had the proparts headers on his lowdeck 451 with edelbrock heads

but  ......... had a moterplate !

[flyboy01]

Of course, thats my luck...

[Pro Street dart]

Has anybody recently tried Hedman p/n 78070's?

[Pro Street dart]

I am on the fence too. I had a bear of a time taking my TTi ¾" out.  I was not going to reuse them.  Now I have second thoughts.  I don't know whether to spring for a set of Tri-Y's?

[ksdartguy]

I have 1 3/4 tti's and am going to run them, I guess.Their snug but worked well with the 383.
I know they will be a little restrictive on my new 400/500, but I am gonna run em for now anyway.
Rick

[BacktoBasics]

Has anybody recently [u][/u]tried Hedman p/n 78070's?

I talked to Hedman, no changes on this design since they launched them. 

So...http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/hedshorty.shtml 

[mopar_eric]

From looking at those pics, and having used the full underchassis b body hedmans I'd say the underchassis fit quite a bit better. I don't know if those have changed over the past few years however....

I can take some pics of mine since the motor's out now. Kinda hard to see but should be enough to point out where they are close. I think Bill's page does it pretty well.

[flyboy01]

I think I am going to try the hedman long tube headers, they are only $150 at Summit.

[rharveysr]

Rickey and I have looked and looked for a set of headers that would not only perform but fit without taking a hammer to them. Couple other points that I wanted them to do was NOT capture the starter and be able to install them without having to pull the steering apart to get them on. I know that is a tall order for a b motor in an a body car. We had head good things about the Maddog headers so we made the phone call and ordered a set.  First off Mark is a great guy to work with and seems to know his stuff.  Once the headers got here...the install looked to be exactly what we had looked for. But that is where we started running into problems. When Mark put our set together he had missed some dents for spark plugs and header nuts. And the passenger side had issues with the strut and once I was able to get it somewhat put in place...the tubes were aimed right at the crossmember and not the cut out. So the collector was going to end up about an inch from the crossmember and pointing downward instead of level with the bottom of the car.
As all of us know...ground clearance on our cars is low to say the least but then add a set of headers that do not hung the bottom the car..makes it just about impossible to run these on the street.
Dont get me wrong..Mark is a great guy to deal with but as we found out a set of pre-built headers on Rickeys are was not going to work and meet the criteria that we set. So...another call to Mark to discuss our options. He said that he would adjust the headers to what we needed,we could return them for a full refund...it was our choice. So what Rickey and I suggested to him was that we return the headers in exchange for a huge box full of header making tubes which would include all the thick flanges and a boat load of bends. He agreed and he loaded up the box and here it came...So now we will be building our own headers to hopefully do everything we want them to do.
Once we get some of our other projects caught up...like finishing the 14 point cage in think3205's Dart and the 10 point cage in his buddies 72 Nova...it will be time to pull the 68 Prostreet Dart out of storage and get back to work on it.
Anyway....long story ...maybe it will help somebody

Rick and Rickey Jr.

[69 Dartified]

What about the headers that Schumacher has? Are they not workable for your set up? Here's their web address;http://www.engine-swaps.com. Maybe you could talk with them via email or phone and they could help point out some other choices if theirs did't work. Just a thought for your consideration.

Greg

[rharveysr]

I did concider them but the primaries are too small for the end results down the road.  The headers that we are building will be 2" primaries with 3 1/2" collectors. They do make a great product...but not fond of shorty headers...just me I guess..

Rick

[flyboy01]

What about the headers that Schumacher has? Are they not workable for your set up? Here's their web address;http://www.engine-swaps.com. Maybe you could talk with them via email or phone and they could help point out some other choices if theirs did't work. Just a thought for your consideration.

Greg

Way too small, too restrictive. I can say that I have heard that there fit real nice.

[nasty68]

I have the pro-parts on a 383 in my 68 but i am using a motor plate.  I have had several problems with the ones i have.  I had to remove the tube from the steering column so #7 tube would clear.  Had to ding (i believe #1 tube) cause it was hitting the nut on the idler arm.  Also had to modify #1 to fit around my mini starter.  Had to ding one tube on the passanger side cause it was laying on the oil pan rail.  Oh and my driver side collector sits about 3 inches lower than the passanger side.  In my opinion i got a bad set of headers.  I have seen others with them on a low deck and not have had the problems i have had.  I don't have any good pics off hand but i can take some if you want.

[mopar_eric]

I guess I'll wait to pull my headers that work out of the car till I can trial fit mine to my motor... Hopefully mine are better off and you did indeed get a bad set. I'll snap some pics of mine on the motor when I do.

A ding here and a ding there isn't a biggie. the 3 inch thing would be a deal breaker for me... my front end isn't as high as alot of guys though since I have smaller tires.

[jbarker]

Hey Flyboy-Just something to consider...How much power do you really think you can put to the pavement? If you're not planning on minitubbing it, can you really use more than 500 hp?
I originally wanted to put 2" TTI's on my car.  But then I thought: $800 fot TTI's, ditch the power steering, pay for a manual steering box, two day project to change starter, smash the shit out of my new $800 headers to get them to fit....
I said wait... maybe the Schumachers will do just fine.
Think about it.