I'm going to be looking at dual exhaust come the spring & will be looking at headers as well. For a 72' Cutlass w/350, what would be a good set to go with? Looking to go 2 1/2" pipe to the back. Not looking to break the bank, just see who has used what & had good luck with them.

 

I will second that question, I've been doing some research for my 72 S as well and have found some of the headers instructions specifically state that due to the engine position they won't work on "S" models.

Here is where I landed, but haven't pulled the trigger yet:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-58060

Just my .02, don't mean to highjack the thread.

Tim

 

Do a search here, all of this has been beat to death many times. There are no "S" problems.

 

http://thorntonmusclecars.com/produc...aust-manifolds

alternative to long tube headers

 

Hooker Comps (small tube-stock or lightly modded) or Super Comps (bigger tubes & collectors-lightly modded to pretty heavily modded) will fit properly, without drama 99 out of a hundred times whether base, S, or CS model. You might find gently repositioning the brake junction/valve upwards or over the left frame rail is necessary. You will need to remove the oil filter adapter, starter and disconnect the engine mount through bolt to raise each side of the engine.

I lean towards coated finish as you wont ever really need to do anything to maintain it.

Use the Super Comps if any modding is potentially in the future.

Consider H/X pipes and/or cutouts. I like X pipes, some people don't like the smoother sound from them.

Pypes stainless exhaust, your choice of mufflers, I'm a Dynomax fan fwiw. Muffs are definitely a personal preference item so do some searching for opinions.

You can definitely go cheaper on any portion of system but can't really do better for the money, fit & dependability combination.

 

I have a set of Heddman headers on my 71 98. They are excellent. They fit well and the thermal coating is resistant to corrosion and oil. Of course, the headers on a B/C body are completely different than the ones that go on an A body.

 

I used Hooker Comps and http://torquetech.intuitwebsites.com/index.html
with DynaMax Super Turbos. 2 1/2" throughout.

Very happy with the fitment of the Hookers. Make sure you have a gasket beforehand for the oil filter adapter, they're not stocked at the local Autozones, etc.

Torque Tech is a bit more money compared to the other brands available, but his system fits and fits very well.

The only 3 things I can recommend if you do go with Torque Tech,
1. Purchase the unwelded collectors. I had to order them as the headers had a slight tilt that the supplied collectors wouldn't fit.
2. His instructions say to start at the rear. Ignore that and start at the front with the collectors. I spent over 7 hours trying to install from the back forward and couldn't get the tail pipes to stay aligned. After giving 'collector first' a shot, we had both sides done in less than 2 hours.
3. Use factory tailpipe hangers (Inline Tube) for the tailpipe/trumpets.

 

Another thing to add, I went with the Stage 8 header fasteners, they were a bugger to put on.

The tabs don't fit against the header tubes like they show in the instructions unless you want to over tighten the bolts and risk stripping out the threads in the heads.
Several of the tabs need to be longer in order to make contact with the tubes to take advantage of the 'non-loosening' design.

I'm not sure if I'd use them again.

 

I had a similar problem with my 71 98. I put the Stage 8 fasteners on about a month ago when I changed the header gaskets. I agree 100%. I would be reluctant to buy another set.