I have an 86 firebird. 385cu in . Have 13 to 1. Cam is. 669 lift custom ground crower. Dart 230 heads no porting. A professional products single plane with a 850 cfm quick fuel carb. Currently i have hooker 1 3/4 long tubes. Currently have a best of 10.56 at 130. I believe the headers are a bit small. I want to get some ed quays. My question is does anyone agree with me about header size? What size should i get. And how much of a gain do you think i will see. I plan on going to a larger cuin. Small block in a year or two.

 

doubt you'll get the gain you think you will with a larger header, that being said, yes probably small for your application

 

I dont expect 9's or anyrhing if i could dop into the 10.4's that would be cool. Just wondwring if anyone has ever had this same situation. If its not gonna help me i dont want to drop a grand on them. Im to the point now i know i have to spend big money for any impovements. I just dont want to waste my money.

 

Agreed, you might gain a tenth or 2.

But! I think you are at the limit of your headers.

Post a pic of your set-up. You running full exhaust? Or just open headers?

I am installing 1 7/8 Ed Quay headers as I type. The set-up is costing me more than I thought, but I have a lot of room for alot more HP

 

Open headers with a 12 inch turndown

 

i would get the heads ported by tea or another GOOD cnc porter. would most likely pick up a good bit more power. i personally don't think bigger headers will pick you up much and would spend that money elsewhere. i've been 9.44 so far on the 1 3/4 hookers with some nitrous.

how is the 60's? is the converter/gear perfect?

 

Best 60 is 1.55 i know there is some improvement to be had there. I feel it should be in the 1.4's. Im using a 5000 stall from a buddy. Mine is out being restalled to 5500. That is what coan said i needed. Hopefullly ill get it back this week and be able to gdt a better 60. Gotta get a single digit pass this year. Even if i have to use a little n2 o. Hahaha

 

been 1.48 and 10.40's on 1 5/8's long tubes so it can be done with what you have now and a little more work. But if all your looking for is peak hp then the larger tubes would be better to start with!

Im not sure about the ed quays yet I have been looking at a set myself but a lot of guys over on YB have had issues with them. Run a search there and you will see some pretty ugly pics.

 

I wouldn't say issues. The headers do not come finish welded on the flanges and most of the posters about Quay ( not YB people in general)over there have no idea how headers get made. Quay is a cheaper alternative than a custom set if you have some talent to finish the flanges. I believe I paid 659.00 for mine a few years ago and I had them finish weld my sbc and my bbc I had to finish myself. Now remember, Quay builds headers for his old school k-members and not for the aftermarket k-members so finish welding them will give you a better fit and help with more starter options. One thing he doesn't do is update his products.

the 1 3/4 are fine for what you have and I would not change until you are making 700 hp. The 15hp they may net you is just a .05 upgrade in nitrous jet. Scrap the intake for a Super Victor and port the heads. You may have 50-75 hp there.

 

That guy was me with the EQ headers. They came to me UN-finished so I could move the pipes around for a better fit. Which I did have to move 1 pipe for better starter clearance. They fit awesome for a big tube header.

I would recommend them. Remember, the bigger the header, along with a stock k-member, the harder to fit in the car

 

There have been alot more people then you with that were having "issues" most people see the "issues" for what they are...... a part that will need some tweaking/finishing. Glad you got them to fit well!

Planning on a set myself since they are about the best you can get for the kinda breathing some people need. Just plan on some finish welding! either that or I will just build the next set myself. I have a few sets out already for other cars just not one made yet for our cars.

 

Agree with this 100% the intake and heads will net you a whole lot more!

 

What do the heads flow and how much RPM are you turning through the traps?

 

Dont have numbers on the heads. They are just unported dart 230's. Trapping at around 6800

 

Larger primaries tend to hurt low end power, so if you're trying to improve 60', that's the wrong way to go. Of course, a proper converter will take care of that issue.

You're a little over-carb'd, but that probably isn't hurting you too much. I would guess that a Victor Jr. would pick up power over your knock-off intake, though. Probably across the powerband.

 

The carb is what qick fuel told me i needed. I will change intakes to a victo this year. I agree with you on the 60 ft. I think for right now ill probably work on the 60's. Maybe if the moneys there i will get a set this winter. I want to build a 427 this winter. Gonna hit it with a 200 shot. I want to to see this thing go low 9's.

 

Thats a good plan. Put the effort into the chassis for now. You're gonna need it with a 427.

 

Thats what im thinking

 

Im considering going another direction with my turd if I do I have a freshly coated set of 1-7/8 stahl headers I would be selling.

 

Sweet let me know

 

I have been more than happy with my Hooker 2210 super comps.. Even though I had to do a little cutting around the lower A-Arm.. Now I have finally pulled off the stock K-Frame and put a tubular K-frame and tubular A-arms with coil over shocks.. I will be installing them in the next few weeks.

 

i run 10.1x with super comp 1 3/4 headers...i lost 20hp on the engine dyno from 1 7/8 but i didnt have the money for them. ill be getting a set of 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 soon enough.

big heads and carb kill 60'...thats a top end charge setup. converter will help..as long as trans and rear gearing is right. good luck!!