would cutting in the ball point on my hooker headers help perfomance or not? (pic of someone else's headers)

Not according to Hooker, when I asked them.

I did it anyway.

didnt some one measure that and find out its only 1.75"?? yeah that needs to be opened up a bit, considering the tube it connects to is 2.5" kinda seems like a bottle neck.

Mine measured 1.9", which is what I said in my inquiry to Hooker.

The ID of the downpipes is more like 2-1/4".

ah, so realistically, is the restriction enough to warrent me pulling the Y pipe and enlarging the orifice?

is the ball point for smog purposes or is it there just to restrict power.

One more reason I like SLP's

The ball flange is there to provide a seal to the y-pipe. They chose a ball to increase the chances of a good seal with tolerance variations from engine-to-engine, chassis-to-chassis.

Personally, I think it's fine as a basic design. I view it as a "custom install" item that is addressed by the hobbyist as he puts his ride together.

If someone was willing to pay the dyno time, it would be interesting to see the difference between out-of-the box, and modified as described. Most likely, it won't make a bit of difference to the typical 305 or unmodified 350. When you get into the heavier mods, then it may make the difference. All 4 cylinders don't flow at the same time, so all you're talking about is the slight flow path interuption the ball represents. Since the headers aren't tuned length, it isn't going to be a pulse tuning interuption issue. In fact, it may actually aid in "anti-reversion" properties (although that's typically attempted at the head port, not down at the collector).

As I've said elsewhere, when the engine comes out for the 350 shortblock install, I'll finish the job based on the carbon "witness mark" deposits on the collector flange. Then send them to JetHot for coating.