[jim_howard_pdx]

Hey, back to the header question--who cares about rolls royce merlin engines anyhow......

For some reason I could NEVER get a proper explanation on, an equal length header either short or long develops more hp and torque than unequal length headers.

I really like the Flow Tech headers that take the one out of phase cylinder on each head's bank, and put that tube under the collector for the three in phase primary tubes. This improves the scavanging of that out of phase cylinder.

I would think the ram air would help ANY engine. Ford showed a 10 hp increase on the 351 C 2V and 4V heads with the shaker hood. The Cleveland ran really stupid cast iron headers that were power KILLERS. We always ran long length equal tube headers on these cars in order to regain some of the low end torque lost from those HUGE a s s ports. Even the 2V Cleveland had HUGE a s s ports, but at least they could squeel the tires at will.

So go ram air now and enjoy the extra power. Change to a better header when it is convenient to do so.

Adding an H pipe might add back any horsepower lost to your unequal length headers if you have a basic warmed over engine.

Have the shop build you off-road pipes so you can pull the catalytic converter off when you race. Make sure you put some antiseize on these bypass pipe bolts so when you need to remount the cat(s) it will be easier to do.

Removing the cats and adding an H pipe might be good for 15 hp or more at your rear wheels, and the cost is negligable.