I recently saw in California Mustang Catalog a set of reproduction High performance manifolds that came on the mustang 289 'K' model. It says it will fit a 302. They look narrow enough to use on mavericks and should flow as well as headers and probably stay a lot cooler. Has anyone tried these?
I recently saw a magazine dyno test of set of these and a pair of Hooker headers on the same engine. While they flowed somewhat better than the stock maniflods they were no where close to what the headers provided. A lot depends on what intake, cam and heads you're running-how much breathing capability do you need. If your engine is fairly stock they will probably be ok. Also, there is a lot of material in these manifolds, they could be ported out. The engine in the article had a very healthy intake/ head/ cam combination. Replacing the K manifolds with the headers netted the engine almost a 100 hp increase.
The engine compartment stays cooler with cast iron, but part of the benefit of headers is that they dissipate heat quickly. This makes them seem hotter, but actually your car is running cooler. Headers not only increase both torque and hp, but they also improve: Engine cooling Fuel mileage Sound (matter of taste) They are the best bolt on mod you can do. Dave
Saw the same article. The difference was huge. Also, 351w manifolds and the hypo manifolds are about the same thing. If fitment is a concern with linkages, etc, try a set of used 351 manifolds first.
Correct! Already tried them on my '72 Mav, and didn't work. Got them on my '66 mustang though, and they work fine. Only reason they're on the '66 is to keep it looking stock.
When you say the outlet angles are wrong, do you mean they would not fit back up to the exgaust pipes or do you need new pipes made. Or do you mean the angles were aiming at the body or something and could not get the exgaust on, even if new pipes were made.:confused:
100hp increase when changing to headers? Are you sure? Headers are usually good for 10% or so! Did they put manifolds on a 700hp engine and expect it to flow?
EFIMAV, they hopped up a 302 in a 64 Fairlane. They put a stroker 347 in it, fuel injection, aluminum aftermarket heads, roller cam, etc. They tried to run it all through *K* manifolds. They weren't making the power that they thought they should, so they switched to headers. A near 100 hp increase was the result. The manifolds were holding that motor back that much.
Willie, the outlet angles are not able to be hooked up to the pipes in any usefull manner. Just not usable in a Mav. You should consider the Heddmon shorties if you have floor shift otherwise use the stock irons. The biggest problem with these cars and exhaust is the drivers side. If the car is standard shift, the operating linkage is in the way as well as, to a lesser degree, the auto shift linkage. Either shorties or long tubes requires floor shift as far as bolt on goes. I have the Heddmon shorties on, with floor shift and modified the out let angle on them to allow a much better fit of custom head pipes. There is a possibility to use them with column auto but not sure about that use without modifications. Consider that the irons are heavier and would cost about the same as shorties that are now about $105 +. I understand everyone wants to do these things easy but at times there is just no easy way with out mods. While these cars look like the Mustang engine bays, they are narrower between spring towers and this makes the use of Mustang parts, where clearence is needed, difficult, otherwise the parts will bolt up ok.
