Chrysler "C" Body HP Exhuast manifolds

I'd like to keep the stock look of cast iron manifolds, but add a bit of
performance to my 1963 413CID. What engine donors would have the HP exhaust
manifolds and would be a bolt on replacement? Casting numbers would be much
appreciated

Robert

 

There's no reason to change manifolds. If you feel your present exhaust is
overly restrictive, put in a system of duals all the way back, of
thoughtfully-selected pipe diameter, and with a balance pipe between the
two sides.

-DS

 

I already have duals all the way back, 2.25" pipes, however I do not have an
'X' or 'H' crossover. Honestly, it's not that I feel that they are too
restrictive at this point, but I plan on some mild performance and
reliability upgrades, and figured while I was at it....

Bad move?

Robert

 

That is *PLENTY*, you don't need to spend money on new manifolds (and the
HP manifolds do cost a great deal of money). Just add a crossover. "H" is
fine, there's no need for "X". You can find all kinds of web tutorials on
how to figure out the most advantageous place to put the crossover pipe in
place.

This'll leave you with more time and money to spend on things that'll
actually make a cost-effective difference while driving the car.

In the interest of blatant, shameless self-promotional interest, I'll
suggest you hit my website and think about your car's lighting system.
www.danielsternlighting.com

-DS

 

I definitely will!

Thanks

Robert

 

I disagree with Dan on that one- there's a pretty substantial difference
between HP cast iron manifolds and the restrictive "log" type standard
manifolds- especially on an engine bigger than a 383. Getting an HP
manifold that is a true "bolt-on" replacement is impossible, though,
because the flange on the HP manifold is different (wider bolt spacing,
larger opening, bolt holes may be indexed at a different angle). Any 383
or 440-powered C-body that had HP manifolds (TNT, Magnum, or Super
Commando engine package) will make a good donor, and the manifolds will
bolt right up to the heads just fine. Its just the exhaust down-pipes
that will have to be changed.

 

Oh, I misread his intention -- thought he wanted to hunt up the
scarce many-hundreds-of-dollars-apiece items from a '60-'62 crossram setup
as found in e.g. the letter cars.

RM, listen to Steve, he's done more manifold swaps on big blocks than I
have.

DS

 

Cool....Problem is, there seems to be an abundance of "B" body manifolds and
few "C" bodies. But I'll continue to look.

Thanks Steve and Daniel

Robert

 

Hmmm... I didn't even register that as a possibility since those are
made of unobtanium (nearly). At any rate, a swap to the late-60s vintage
C-body HP manifolds is not really expensive (maybe $40 to $60 per
manifold plus the work to change the flanges on the exhaust system) and
has more benefit for a nearly-stock engine than headers do but without
all the leaks and fitting required for headers. Any more than a
slightly-warmed stock engine, though, and headers win performance-wise.

Oh, and Dan's right about the crossover pipe (aka H-pipe or balance
pipe) between the sides of the dual exhaust. That gives a pretty big
boost to low-end torque.

 

Head pipes, i.e., in front of the mufflers, need to be a minimum of 2.5".
Rick