Exhausting

[Bill]

Whats the general feeling about aftermarket headers? I am considering putting a pre '75 factory manifold on my '78
Spider as opposed to IAP, Vicks or Centerline headers. What are the benifits of each?
Any comments? (Duh, what a question!!)

[rossored.com]

I have the IAP headers.
Love 'em. The sound is amazing, dramatic improvement in horsepower, and the look freakin' cool too!

Bad points:
They disperse a lot of heat into the engine bay. I'm insulating my brake cylinder, clutch cylinder and steel lines with insulating jacket. And switched to DOT4 brake fluid.

The "chrome" finish on mine didn't turn blue/pink like everyone else's - it turned flat BROWN. Going to figure our how to make it shiny again this winter...

I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO CAST IRON MANIFOLDS.

If I had the money I would probably buy one of Sperry Valve Works equal-length step headers as an upgrade. And maybe a ceramic coating would be nice...

[kjp]

From a AR Ricambi catalog that I have the difference in HP was only 3 to 5 at redline when tested against the european manifold. They used a late seventies Alfetta as a test car, and the same exhaust from the manifolds on back.

On my '77 spider, I have the euro-style (pre-75 USA version) spilt exhaust manifold, and then modified the exhaust by removing the front muffler and welding a straight pipe in. I re-used the front y-section, but cut off the muffler. Any muffler shop could do this for under $50. My car did not have the catalytic converter. Basically I run with the center and rear muffler - sounds a lot better with only two units on the car instead of three. Exhaust is a lot more free flowing as well. A lot cheaper than the headers too, but the chrome ones would look pretty damn good though.

But, depending on what you use the car for, you may be able to gain more HP on the high end with headers if your car is modified correctly.

[Roadtrip]

What about your catalytic converter? Are you going to mod the rest of the exhaust system?

The split factory cast iron headers are actually very efficient. If you do get a set of those, be sure they're not cracked anywhere.

I would say if you want to retain your stock exhaust, I'd go with the split cast irons. If you're going to mod the rest of the exhaust, go with some aftermarket headers but be prepared to spend some cash.

[John M]

Hey Bill:

I agree with all that has been said here. The early factory euro cast iron headers are very good performance wise. You will find many owners prefering these over the aftermarket ones. RT is right on cracking of these those, especially at the junction of tube 1 and 4 on tube 4.

IAP headers are nice and are what I have on my 78. They did not fit very well though. Performance is excellent. Took some drilling of the mounts before I got mine on.

Best Regards,
John M

[Bill]

Thanks guys, I knew I was asking the right crowd! i like the idea of the early factory headers as they do stay cooler than aftermarket and I will watch for the cracks.
The car came without a Cat. and has a "glass pack" in its place. It has no rear or center muffler, but it does have a very restricted pancake type about halfway back from the glasspack. I dont like the sound of the 'pack' and I know I am restricted with the other one. I have a good muffler shop that can make up what I want, but I still am not sure. I'm thinking of a single unrestricted Ansa type. Too much noise? What are your thoughts.

[Roadtrip]

Since you don't have a catalytic converter anymore, that simplifies things. If the DPS stops you, could they cite you for having removed the catalytic converte, or is the car exempt due to age?

The other question is if you want the exhaust pipe to look "stock." That is, with a turn-down end-pipe. That turn-down end-pipe was there for a reason . . . . i.e. to direct the exhaust fumes away from being backdrafted into the pax compartment. Right now on my Spider, I have one of the old aftermarket tail mufflers with the two turned up pipes at the end. It really looks good, but you do get some backdraft depending on the wind. I'm partial to a stock system myself, but you might want to put some tuned headers on, run a straight custom pipe back to a Stebro Stainless Steel center muffler and onto a performance end resonator/tailpipe. Maybe someone on the board would know how that sounds.

As for myself, I like to hear that lovely Alfa exhaust note, not just noise.

[JoeCab]

Another option for those looking for optimum flow is to take a set of cast 2-piece manifolds and have them Extrude Honed, then ceramic coated. In the end, it would cost more than headers, but probably last longer and not leave you with the same type of heat issues.

Joe

[67GTV]

Does anyone have experience with Jet-Hot coatings? Can these coatings be applied to my cast iron headers?

[JoeCab]

I enquired about Jet-Hot to an experienced Alfa tech a few months ago and this was his response:

"Friends don't let friends Jet-Hot".

The coating looks great, but eventually peel and chip. There are other ceramic coating services out there that last a lot better.

Joe

[74GTVEEE]

Recently modified my 86 Spider V with pre1975 headers, Ansa front resonator with Y collector, center Cisam muffler with stinger to the rear with dual Ansa resonated tips. Much better than the factory set up. The sound is just wonderful.

My 73 ITB car has the old GTA headers with a straight pipe. These really add to the HP and sound great as well. You can get the GTA type headers from Jim Steck or Paul Spruell...

Good luck
Zal

[rossored.com]

The Paul Spruell headers are visually exactly the same as the Sperry Valve Works headers.
Only paul wants $100 less including the ceramic coating....

Added note - I put Magnaflow stainless mufflers on my spider - they sound much more Ferrari-like than the Ansa I had before. I usually get comments that my car sounds like an 8-cylinder, and muscle car guys usally think it is when they see the size of our valve covers!!!
Lots of low-end rumble, high-pitched sizzle at 5500RPM - and none of that nasal Sport-compact fart noise.

[67GTV]

Quote:

Originally posted by JoeCab I enquired about Jet-Hot to an experienced Alfa tech a few months ago and this was his response: "Friends don't let friends Jet-Hot". The coating looks great, but eventually peel and chip. There are other ceramic coating services out there that last a lot better. Joe

[JoeCab]

Embee Performance Coatings. It's a small shop but is highly recommended by the very picky hot rod set.

http://www.embeeperformancecoatings.com/