header suggestions ?

Stock 75 258/Carter YF 1 barrel........

Where will it end ?

Looking at replacing the stock exhaust manifold. Seems to be a variety of headers out there. Anyone got one in particular they recommend ?

Also pros/cons of headers. The stock exhaust manifold is fine. Just looking to upgrade the exhaust system (original, and showing its age) and I was told a header would be a good bang for the buck....

 

borla header and exhaust on my I6... cant tell you how much that the header alone will boost power cause of the DUI distributor and fuel injection.

as far as sound (no matter who you are you do care :twisted: ) it sounds great...

dont have part numbers but can get them for you in a few weeks when i get home from afghanistan if you want

 

My opinion. Stay away from headers. They get hot, you have to retighten them, they're expensive, collectors (in my experience) are a pain in the butt, you have to spend money on custom exhaust rather then $150 for the whole stock setup, and finally how much can they really add to a 258. It's your Jeep and you can do whatever you want but remember it is not a muscle car and I don't think it will make much of a difference. I have a 258 in my 74 that is bone stock even the carb and original points distributor. It goes like hell. I had another Jeep with a 304 a few years back. It was obviously faster but really not as much as you would think. It's a Jeep you'll have plenty of problems as it is don't add anymore headaches. MHO.

 

my 74 CJ5 I6 with DUI distributor, holley projection, header/exhaust has alot more power than a stock .258

it all depends on what you are looking for/what kind of wheeling you do, i for one like the low end torque.

but like mentioned above... cheap work = leaks

 

x2

Haven't had headers on my jeep, but have had plenty of vehicles (chevy mostly) that did and they have been nothing but a PITA

 

As a compromise, you could go with the aluminum 2V manifold and its matching exhaust manifold from an '81 or later 258. The later manifold is lighter and smoother than the earlier bolt-together manifold. It's what I have on my truck. Also, if you eventually go with the 4.0L head, you'll need a different exhaust manifold or header, though you can reuse the intake.

If you go with a header, I'd expect you could get good service from a quality header like Borla. Also, some here have used "header buddies" to seal the troublesome (leaky) outlet flange.

 

here's a built-up 258 in an '84 Wagoneer for inspiration: http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=039445
Check this Cherokee too http://www.northeastsurf.com/1983_jeep_cherokee_wt.htm

 

Inspiration.........??

My God.......that first link just makes me drool..........!!!

I'm actually looking for something just a litttttle milder..planning on replacing all from the manifold outlet back and just figured I'd get some opinions on headers.

Probably end up sticking with original set-up. I just put on a rebuilt YF and she's running pretty good.

Thanks for the links, great info !!

 

I'd just leave the stock manifold and do (stainless? if it's in the budget) new exhaust from there back with a Flowmaster. Sound is good, frees up a few ponies under the hood, is extremely durable and wont break the bank if you dont go with the stainless.The kinds of torque your looking for wont come from bolting on a single header in conjunction with stock intake/cam.

Just my .02$

 

-1

I love the power I get from my headers. I had "The Muffler Man" in Salem Ohio bend me an entire exhaust (headers back) for $100.



Buy quality headers, get good results. Buy them from JC Whitney, get bad results. My headers were great quality. I had them Jet-Hot coated.

Will they loosen up? Maybe. One thing I can say for certain though; If you take your Jeep off-roading, SOMETHING will loosen up. (HOPEFULLY, that happens.) Checking the torque on lug nuts, nuts, bolts, headers, etc is just good sound mechanical preventative maintenance. Don't want to deal with checking things for correct torque? Sell the Jeep and buy a Honda.

 

I agree with Mugzilla. I heard all the talk of the pita it would be. I just
haven't had any of that thank goodness. I tighten stuff at regular
maintenence times so far so good. I had the whole exhaust done at the
same time at a good shop it was like $250.