Picking up the 428 on Saturday for the 68' fastback. What headers are you guys running, how well did they fit (I am running the factory toploader), did you have to modify anything during install (I am not a fan of hammering the tube for clearance), did they seal up, would you buy them again if you had to do it over. Has anyone sprung for the coated headers, I have read that the coating doesn't hold up more than a few years?
What heads? FPA woukd be my choice. I did have to put a couple dents to clear the block corner on mine. Maybe 1/16? Wasn't bad. Some people have had no issues. And they tuck up nice. I didn't get the coated ones, but if I did it again you bet your a** I'd get a coated set. Really cuts down on the heat in the compartment especially with an FE. Sealed fine. In fact I pulled one off 10 years or so later to do some work and just reused the gasket and it's fine. I do use a smear of red or copper silicone on each side and tighten the bolts a couple time after some heat cycles.
428CJ OEM style... fit well and the reality is the Hp difference is minimal... +15-20... on top of 400+ (assuming a mild 428 build) are you really going to notice...??? Other than the lack of :wtf: when trying to install... :wink:
Hammering will really make no difference to output if you go that route...
I think it's more like 30-50 HP over a set of CJ manifolds, depending on the build. I can definitely tell a difference between the two on my car......that's why I've had a set of manifold sitting around since the 80's. Yeah, there can be a lot of WTF during the install, but I've done it on enough cars it's an afternoon/early evening job. With the engine out, doesn't really take any longer than bolting on a set of stockers, and they will go in installed on the engine.
FPA tri-y ceramic coated. Best in my opinion. Fit like a glove. I did have to grind off a tiny hair from the corner of the block, and Stan told me I would. This is the most needed mod to an FE, IMO. Gets the heat out of the top end, and factory manifolds are restricted.
See Jay Brown's FE comparison, results from multiple dyno runs... 425Hp 428CJ; FPA/TriY are +25 avg Hp from 2500-5800 rpm, and +20 peak over 428CJs.... slightly better numbers on a 390 stroker, but to PO noted a 428.
Actual results are dependant on the rest of the engine. Poor heads or intake and the headers do squat.
People love to overestimate Hp gains... if they were all true you could pick up 175Hp from an intake, carb and headers... and 100 more from heads.
Are you saying that the 500 HP 289 I saw for sale on craigslist is the seller's pipe dream?
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