Besides the price, obviously. I saw a tech on how to split you stock manifold and said "****, that looks easy enough" Do you get more hp out of the aftermarket stuff like Fenton or Clifford because of the shape or are you just paying for the cool 'fenton' logo on the side? Cuz I'm all about labels...
I wouldn't use a split stock manifold expecting anything noticably more than a cool sound difference. (I have one I'm going to use some day on the 55 pickup, but only if I pull the manifolds for some other mechanical repair reason.) If you want more real power, spend about the same cost of inline speed equipment on a good used 350/350 out of a pre-'70 car. That is, unless you just like inliners (I do) and that's a different story...
Yeah-I like the inline sound and the shape of the engine. Plus it's different than your average 'rodded' car. I'm not planning on dumping alot into the engine, just manifold, carb upgrade, and switching to a 5speed floor shifter set-up. So I guess it is the shape of the headers,right? I wish someone had down like a dyno test of this. I can find hp numbers on japanese4banger headers but nothing on this
The biggest difference I have seen between the split stock manifold and the cast headers available from Fenton are whether they will fit or not in certain cars. For instance, the ribs in the firewall of a '53-'54 (and I think as early as '49 though I can't say for sure) Chevy will need to be trimmed to fit the headers in, where as the split stock manifold will fit right it. I'm sure you will notice a power increase with the split manifolds, just because of the fact that you'll greatly reduce back pressure with a more free flowing system. Maybe not as much as the headers, but at least you'll get tht cool sound.
I had a stock split manifold, ran fine but it cracked. I put a stock manifold on it untill I get a fenton. I can tell the difference on the fwy, it just ran better with twice pipes. I will get fentons, I have had too many stock manifolds crack.
Hmm. I saw a fairly stock '51 ragtop last weekend with Fentons on it and I don't remember seeing any signs of t******* under the hood. He didn't even have dual carbs on it, so it must have just been for the sound. They look prettier than the stock manifold, I'd want them for sure if I had one of these motors in a car with no hood sides -
I just put a split manifold on my 52. I had bought a Pair of Fenton headers. After putting them on, the throtle linkage would hit the header. It would have taken some re-doing, new bell cranck ect... and I could have made it work. Hell I just wanted something easy not re invent the wheel.I said screw that so then I had the manifold split. I then put it on and the G.D. park brake shaft hit the new pipe coming from the manifold. So I need to just put a bend in the park brake shaft and maybe tap a bit on the pipe to give me clearance. My dad and few neighbors have told me, how much the sound of my car reminds them of when they were kids...so I guess split manifold was the way to go..I also ran straight pipes no mufflers. Good luck
I like the 'split' over the header, myself. Only becuse of the sound and because that would have been the norm in 'back in the day'. Most rodders and people of the younger car crowd where I come from didn't have the money for any store bought doo-dads, they made do with what they had, hence the split manifold. You can sure tell a 235 with a split manifold long before the car comes into sight. JayD
hey JayD, can you tell why the sound is different? I had a stock-split manifold, and I was going to get a fenton. I got tired of replacing stock-split maifolds that would crack. I have had 2, one was on the car when I got it, and 2nd I got at a swap-meet. both cracked. David
You don't have any pix of where they split your stock manifold, do ya? If I don't split mine, I was gonna get some from Nightprowlers(Fenton knock-offs?) or this Truck Parts guy on ebay. They look to be the same shape as a Fenton or Clifford but $100 less... ps-JayD-your avatar is awfully attention getting
sorry J.C. no pic.s of the split manifold. they cracked and I tossed 'em out. whats the link for the e-bay manifolds? thanks! David
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