Exhaust Manifold VS Headers

[1moreshot]

Hey guys, need some help on what is the best to go with. Headers / stock exhaust manifolds. Any advise on what is the best middle of the road brand to use.$ Also need some help on this MSD buzz. (Street fire CID, distrub., wires, etc. I'm currently running the old stock distrub. with points. Will all of this make a big differents?


Thanks in advance,

 

[coldair]

IMO I think headers are a waste of money. Don't get me wrong they have thier place. If I was building a race motor I would do headers. For a jeep stock manifolds is the way to go.

 

[hole]

Stock are less problematic. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/teamrush-ignition-upgrade-11416/ is probably the best upgrade you can do for a CJ.

 

[1moreshot]

Thanks guy. I think I'll stay with the manifolds. Since all I need is to replace the one on the drivers side I'll use the money saved for the Team Rush upgrade.

 

[JAG811]

Headers are supposed to be tuned, meaning cut to specific lengths.
SO, in theory as one exhaust "puff" is heading down the joining tube it should suck out the next exhaust "puff" from the next cylinder.
Better fuel economy and more power.
In my experience new headers are a breeze on a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , old headers are more of a drama and tend to warp and you may end up having to tighten manifold bolts and mess around for a couple months to get it right (experience on a Rambler Hornet).
I would look at headers, exhaust and intake on every vehicle I own just to try and maximise stock performance.

In saying that I agree that regular exhaust manifolds are far less drama and you can spend the money on other things.

My headers had the exit 2" exhaust pipe shoved so far up them it was restricting them anyway. But I agree with Coldair in that my CJ has enough power for me as is as I have no need for a race motor in a vehicle that is 93.5" long (some may now be cleaning up the drink they just spat out after reading the last sentence!!).

I DO drive like a grandpa and I still believe helping your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l breath I think benefits the back pocket ... Very little and over a long time I have no doubt

Anyway I'm sure everyone has thier own opinions That's just mine

 

[mtnwhlr]

IMO I think headers are a waste of money. Don't get me wrong they have thier place. If I was building a race motor I would do headers. For a jeep stock manifolds is the way to go.

I would agree with this. A AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l needs some back pressure to run right.

 

[Tinman22]

On a side note exhaust manifolds from large discount chains are often not very flat take a straight edge when you pick it up to check for flatness also lay it engine side down on a flat surface and make sure it doesn't rock. If either of these checks don't seem right don't accept it or it will crack.

 

[xena1]

I would disagree. I used Edelbrock shorty headers to which you can bolt the stock cross-over pipe to. Sound great and have had no problems whatsoever.

 

[Petescj]

I would disagree. I used Edelbrock shorty headers to which you can bolt the stock cross-over pipe to. Sound great and have had no problems whatsoever.

I had the same motor and Jeep , 78 CJ5 360 with some headman headers and a pacesetter kit from the flanges back. Loved it. For a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l though Id pass on any header. I used that dual exhaust kit cause I was frustrated looking for the correct "Y" pipe for my application and said screw it.

 

[rr41mag]

I ran dual collector headers on my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and love them. No problems what so ever so far