Do Headers Work on a stock 318 2bbl Small Block Mopar?

Let's see what the E.T. slip says !!!!! Hedman Headers #vanlife

[@318willrun]

I said 2 1/4 in the video. But actually it’s 2.5” exhaust.

[@Mynextproject_74]

Great info Tim!

[@318willrun]

Thanks!

[@cumminski]

Even a crappy header will outrun cast iron manifold anytime. Just add fuel, as wile e coyote would say🐺

[@318willrun]

I agree !

[@chumleye1112]

Nice results, great to see real world results. Thanks

[@318willrun]

Thank you!

[@jeffsr8300]

Got just about the same results with my '87 W-150 difference is I used Dakota headers because of collector placement.👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@318willrun]

Nice !!

[@aaronhutchins1545]

Having spent a lot of money on tires since 1979, it amazes me that there is now a competition where people intentionally destroy their tires as fast as they can.

[@318willrun]

Thanks for watching until the end!!! Yeah, they had old tires that weren't worthy of the street in the burnout contest!

[@aaronhutchins1545]

That makes more sense, instead of those guys that spend big bucks on the new tires that make colored smoke. Colored smoke, is that racist ? @@318willrun

[@bobbyz1964]

My 81 W250, when I got it had a stock 318 from 1974, 2brl, with headers. Honestly always thought the headers were dumb on it. Few years ago put a 68 340 intake and 600 Carter AFB and tuned it for max mpg. Headers were rusted out so I stuck early 318 pickup manifolds on it, thinking it wouldn't make a difference, lost enough power to feel and MPG! Same exhaust system. Truck has a 273 with new Hedmans now. Went from a header skeptic to a header user. Four barrel on a stock 318 makes a difference too!

[@318willrun]

Yep!

[@vipottaja]

You are so correct. I have played some with the manifold and headers in the dyno, and the results are pretty evident. Doesn't matter what power the engine makes, weather it's 150hp or 500 hp. With smallish primary headers, you typically see about 10% gain in peak and low end torque, and 5% peak horsepower in mild build ups. Using the same mufflers and exhaust pipe size with both. I have found that the smaller primary headers give better gains in mild engines. Typical 1 5/8" headers are on the big side for a mild 318, but still a gain everywhere. For something like 200 or 300 hp the rest of the exhaust doesn't have to be that big either. 2 or 2.25" duals will be more than enough.

[@318willrun]

Thanks for sharing !!!

[@somewhatfast]

Good info to know

[@318willrun]

Thanks !!

[@javimacias1215]

I was able to buy and install a drivers side cast iron manifold on my daily driver 73 Duster that you recommended about 3 yrs. ago on a question answered video that you made. Easy access to plugs and no burnt wires. Thanks

[@318willrun]

That is awesome!

[@kevinganoe9809]

In my opinion there’s a big difference in power.. My 87 w250 has a stock 2 barrel 318 and it use to be a manifolds and single exhaust.. when I switched to headers and duals it woke up like crazy.. But that’s just my opinion

[@318willrun]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@vincemajestyk9497]

A long time ago, about 1992 I think, there was a dyno test in one of the Mopar magazines I think HPM, where they tested a mildly modded 440 with HP manifolds and headers and the difference was 75 HP. I probably still have that issue.

[@fifthlomat717]

Ive always got a few more mpg with long tube headers and a small 500 cfm 4 barrel

[@vincemajestyk9497]

Both have their advantages. Manifolds are great for being quiet and maintenance free without burning up wires and parts nearby. For the street where you're 90-95% of the time under 3000 rpm it's a good deal. No doubt headers work. I've used many sets. My chief complaint now is how expensive they are. I remember when you could get Cyclone, Blackjack, or Eagle for right around $100 a set give or take.. Now $500-700 a set. Nearly EVERY set of headers I ever had needed some modding. With 'A' engines it's really more beneficial. Those manifolds are pretty corked up, more so than the 'B' engines. Your van is a great example of using headers. Why not? It's so easy to slip those in there. It's a no brainer, especially when doing a custom exhaust.

[@318willrun]

Yes, I agree. And I believe I bought these headers brand new for about 260.00 to my front door !

[@vincemajestyk9497]

@@318willrun That sure is a sweet deal for some USA made headers. I would use headers on my daily driven street vehicles for expediency. I'm on my 3rd exhaust system on my '87 AHB Gran Fury and just had to cobble/fab mig together a wye pipe 2 years ago. Most of the 'replacement' parts aren't available anymore.

[@gordocarbo]

Cyclone or Blackjack headers for $79.99 super shops...70s 80s were great

[@trolllibtards2604]

As I get a tad older, I will go for reliability over performance. I own a 72 Duster with a 69 340. I use the 69 HP manifold. I custom built 2.5 down pipes and exhaust cutouts. When I go to the track for vintage bracket racing, I run a consistent 13:00’s and that’s ok with me with a car that weighs, with me in it, 3,650 pounds. I will never put leaky headers back on.😅

[@318willrun]

That's great, and I completely understand !!!

[@gordocarbo]

Love headers on old muscle but my dailys in the 80s were stout sbc....they all had manifolds even smog stuff. Ran just fine wasnt worth the $ for light to light traffic, fwy etc. No way would I fool with headers in a van too much hassle to fix potential leaks, plug wires etc.

[@henrymeynier5072]

On engine masters they said headers even out fuel distribution numbers cyl to cyl.

[@318willrun]

yep! Thanks!

[@mikeyfourbarrel8473]

Excellent info. Yeah. It seems like it’s worth the trouble regarding fitting them amidst the torsion bars and steering components. Nice to have come pretty solid confirmation of that. 👍🏼 I’m beyond envious of that van and it’s just awesome to see that it’s in good hands.

[@318willrun]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@ThePaulv12]

I had a 318 in a Dart but with the factory single plane 2bbl intake but a single system exhaust. I replaced my exhaust in the exact same circumstances as you did with 4 into 1 twin system with a balance pipe. I can report the difference was utterly unbelievable even with the stock Ball & Ball/Carter carb. The throttle response, the bottom end torque, the mid range torque, the upper mid range torque, the fuel consumption was so improved I couldn't hardly believe it. If it didn't pick up about 100ft/lbs of torque I'd be very surprised LOL. Next I had made, a custom single point distributor with vac advance and a better curve, that used reliable Bosch 534 points. I had no money as I was a poor first year apprentice mechanic at the time and one of the other mechanics that was a Mopar nut told me exactly what to do and mentioned you'll be very happy with the results for the cost and ease of installation. It was good advice. Made another good improvement to a stock 2bbl engine. The thing is, it went really well on the single exhaust. For a 318 it was great fun first car. I miss that car so very much.

[@318willrun]

Great story!

[@christopher5585]

Tried this myself and yes, Headers with dual exhaust is a remarkable improvement on an A Body considering it retained the 7 1/4 Rear, 2.76:1 setup. It ran 120 mph, no problem.

[@IndirectConnection1]

Great info! Whats your next plan?

[@318willrun]

Not sure on the van itself ..... but the wheels are always turning!!!!!

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Full length headers wake up everything from a push lawnmower on up 😅

[@318willrun]

👍

[@stephenhotzjustdriveit]

I think this answers a question for the Huevo Ranchero

[@318willrun]

Thanks!!!!!

[@jeffdavis5704]

Nice video tim, keep up the good content.

[@318willrun]

Thanks! We appreciate it !!

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great information!👍

[@318willrun]

Thanks for watching!

[@waggitnshaggit6592]

Good stuff you’re putting out there,interesting and do it yourself wrenching!

[@318willrun]

Thanks 👍

[@MoparMan-ff8fb]

I remember in one of my mopar muscle magazine issues it was the battle between stock manifolds with dual exhaust clear up to the largest long tube headers on a stock engine . better flow from manifolds to shorty headers and between shorties and long tubes wasent much if a difference like maybe 5 HP . Also if you take that insulator gasket on the intake and trace around on the inside and cut out that divider you gain up and flow . charlie that has a youtube channel that does flow tests has a video on modifying that 2 barrel intake you have

[@318willrun]

Manifolds can work real well too!

[@aaronhutchins1545]

In the mid-1980s, when I was living in West-Central Texas (Ford & Chevy land) I had a 1974 Dodge Dart, 318. I put on headers and dual exhaust, but it still had the factory two barrel carb. It sounded nice but there was no noticeable seat-o-the pants improvement in speed. It took a four barrel conversion to feel like it was doin' something. It was almost impossible to find speed parts for Mopars in that part of Texas, at that time.

[@318willrun]

Yes, a 4 bbl compliments headers for sure!

[@NathansMoparGarage]

Nice improvement. You can use the jets out of an Carter AFB / Edelbrock jet kit in your BBD carb.

[@318willrun]

Thanks! And thanks for the info!

[@anthonyking4387]

Always picks up! Even over factory high flow manifolds they will pick up!

[@chicagorc3967]

i got doug thorley headers on mine, SOUNDS GREAT! i got em on a 95 jeep grand Cherokee 5.2 Orvis

[@318willrun]

Right on!

[@will7its]

Long tubes whether intake or exhaust are for torque. Which is what you feel the most.

[@OldcarsNmusic]

I had headers on a 318 in a '70 Challenger with a 2-barrel and although it did seem to have more starch in its shorts, I still thought it was sucking through a bent straw with the 2-V. I wanted an AFB 625 so bad I couldn't see straight!

[@318willrun]

Yes, a 4bbl would have been a nice compliment to the headers!

[@user-tm6nq3ou1v]

Me , a 1998 Durango 4X4 , 318 230 HP stock . I put on shorty headers , a 360 throttle body with shaved lips on the ventury , I did that , a throttle body spacer . Denso double platinum plugs . The truck would do 130 and give me 24 MPG . Headers can help

[@Dartfreak75]

Nice video!

[@318willrun]

Thanks my friend!

[@josephcosgro3045]

I've got an 85' prospector 4x4 with a 318 two barrel I switched to a set of Hooker long tubes (only 250$ brand new by the way) and 2 1/2 inch duals with magnaflows and it woke up power wise very noticeably,not to mention it sounds amazing!! Then added a 71' 340 four barrel intake I paid 25$ for and a used 450 cfm Holley I got for 50$ and rebuilt it and put one size larger jets in the primaries and it's like a diffrent truck!! Next step cam sawp any suggestions on that?? I use my truck as a truck but also like to have fun when I want to so I'm not sure what size cam to go with?? I appreciate your videos I've learned alot!

[@318willrun]

Thanks! Sounds like you have accomplished a lot on a little spent! Keep the cam close to stock in the truck unless you plan to swap torque converter also. I'd suggest something around .440 lift and 208 duration @ 050

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

i wouldnt go over 210 duration @.050

[@richardmoerke9329]

I have always found that to be true. I have always found mpg went up also if you can keep your foot out of it. The spread bore Holly also makes a difference if you can keep your foot out of it too but has to be the mechanical secondaries. I don’t know why. Could be just my luck or just don’t know how to setup vacuum secondaries for some reason. Nice job on the van! So what was the muffler you got in the end? Was it to loud?

[@318willrun]

Thanks! The muffler was a pair of Jegs turbo mufflers that I had laying around that came with a kit I bought years ago. Yes, they drone some and I'm going to change them out.

[@christopheransell2179]

Pretty cool! Another variant, if I may ask, are you running a stock fan, or a clutch fan? If no, I wonder if it would make any noticeable difference on your 60' times with NO fan to rob any miniscule power. Hmm... I like the way you think! Love your videos!

[@318willrun]

Thanks! I have a clutch fan

[@shawnnewsome4778]

That’s a cool van

[@318willrun]

Thanks!

[@Patrick-xd8jv]

Headers made a huge difference towing with my 318 van

[@franksgarage8551]

Was thinking about headers on my 318/2bbl Dart. More for the noise. So a little more chooch doesent hurt. I just dont want to fight to get them in there.

[@318willrun]

Even the "good" headers will give you a little fight ....

[@maxwedgedickdasterdly5586]

Long tube headers will almost always make a noticeable difference. The cooling exhaust gasses and pulses from other cylinders. Magnify flow.

[@cbobmonster]

You may know this great video by the way, would those headers fit on a 75D 100 pick up truck with a three speed manual I’ve heard that headers might not fit with a manual? Thank you.

[@318willrun]

These headers used in this video are for vans specific. I've seen headers on manual shift pickups. I do not know which ones for sure fit. I think the hedmans I put on our truck look like they have room, but you'd have to confirm with them. Good Luck!

[@patrickholt4140]

I have a c10 with 350 that had headers and true dual exhaust ( no cross over) Went to a ram horn corvette ( 2 inch collector) with y pipe and single 3” through a turbo muffler and runs so much better By the way the dual exhaust was 2” with turbo tube muffler

[@318willrun]

I'm always for whatever works!!!!

[@jsherman385]

My question is running long tube headers into " super single" exhaust. The truck is a w 150 with a mild cammed 318. Your thoughts?

[@318willrun]

It would work, sure. Not saying that's the best way to maximize the use of headers, but it will work.

[@allancaspers6471]

Are you running the stock cam? Maybe look at stock 360 2 bb cam. Don't know if 318 2 bbl and 360 2 bbl cam the same specs. If different try 360 2 bbl cam with a 2 bbl 500 cfm carb.

[@318willrun]

yes, stock cam. Not sure if I want to do any performance upgrades to the engine. I love the way it runs.

[@ianhale4466]

Telling you right now, theres plenty of ways to make power, but headers are always louder than the manifolds are, i run 3 feet of dual straight pipes and its loud, but not tickets all the time loud

[@moparnut6286]

Just put used\free hedman headers on my 74 charger 1990 360 roller 4bbl eddy on top of and eddy preformer intake excellent throttle response fit was good but bolt access was marginal..just a street car on my 72 dart 318 roller engine I have stock mainfolds to go on mopar cars are not header freindly espicially with affordable headers reduced hex head and allen socket head bolts help a lot I had to use 3 pan head socket head allens to be able to put the headers. on the charger the one good thing with the hedmans on the charger is you can remove the starter with out moving the header.. If its a mini starter... I'm adding my own H pipes and glass packs and exiting the exhaust out in front of rear wheels all tig welded... Theres a lot of pros and cons too headers on a mopar and price of a set of header does not mean the will fit with no issues but atoxk manifolds fit every time. But are very heavy!... And I will not use composite gaskets copper or aluminum are the only way.

[@318willrun]

Absolutely! Always pros and cons, and each has to weigh out what's best for them!

[@user-id8dq3ix8u]

I'd love a cam video. I want something that absolutely chops not sure what to do whiplash or purple Mopar camshaft

[@318willrun]

I have a cam video on the 360 in the truck, but not the type of chop you want! Plenty of them out there though!

[@gordocarbo]

Big cams in 318s may sound good but wont get out of thier own way most times

[@318willrun]

@@gordocarbo It has the stock 318 cam

[@DrGo-bw2jy]

I have been running ceramic coated Hooker Headers on my stock 318 2-barrel for over 25 years. I don't race it, I just like them.

[@318willrun]

Nothing wrong with that!

[@DrGo-bw2jy]

Is there any truth to what I had heard in the past that long tube headers can add just a little more low end torque?

[@318willrun]

@@DrGo-bw2jy Yes, long tube headers can add torque

[@karlsracing8422]

I've always gained something even a 273 will.

[@wesbuhr548]

I just wish it was as easy to put headers on a A body. As it was your van.

[@318willrun]

I agree....

[@smilsmff]

swapped 318 single exhaust in 1985 to open very small headers and e.t. change was over a second. You are showing TRUCK Manifolds which was considered better then Production car manifolds

[@318willrun]

can't complain about getting a second !!!!!

[@gordocarbo]

Van? Leave it alone just tune it well In the gas crisis neighbor would buy purple Challenger R/Ts for his dailies. Commuted 150 mi a day fwyin Ca FIrst day the 383 came out, in went a fresh 318, Isky supercam blackjack headers, hush thrush and a well tuned 2 bbl Still sounded good spun tires and got pretty good mpg. Drove it when I Was 13

[@thomasthurston6656]

Lmao 😂 I have a 14 R/T Challenger Classic bought new. I get 13 city and 15 freeway. The gas here is also up to almost 6 dollars a gallon. Newsom does nothing but help us here in CA.

[@gordocarbo]

@@thomasthurston6656 Inflation is insane here in Ca never seen anything like it in my life. If I was still working Id have to get a 2nd job just to afford gas for the 1st.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻💯🇦🇺⛽️

[@Yo-mamashouse]

17 sec quarter?

[@318willrun]

Probably lower 17's would be a fair estimation

[@christopher5585]

Is your 318 already rebuilt ? Why stop at just Headers ? If you're going to do Bolt ons, go 4 bbl. If you're happy with the results, get another 318 and repiston it using KB Flat Tops, Hughes FT Cam, Johnson Lifters and 65 cc heads. But if it were me, I'd swap out the 318 for a built 360 for your SWB Tradesman.

[@318willrun]

I really didn't even want the headers on it. It was the easiest way for me to put the new exhaust on it. We are happy with the 318 2bbl in the van ! Thanks!

[@waggitnshaggit6592]

Your Asian too? Hmmm oh aging

[@JustMoparJoe]

Excellent video idea! You’ll be spotting mustangs out there in the 1/8th! 🫡

[@318willrun]

🤣🤣

[@vintagesavoiur]

Headers are noisy

[@MoparMan-ff8fb]

I remember in one of my mopar muscle magazine issues it was the battle between stock manifolds with dual exhaust clear up to the largest long tube headers on a stock 318 magnum engine . better flow from manifolds to shorty headers and between shorties and long tubes wasent much if a difference like maybe 5 HP . Also if you take that insulator gasket on the intake and trace around on the inside and cut out that divider you gain up and flow . charlie that has a youtube channel that does flow tests has a video on modifying that 2 barrel intake you have 8:05