I've seen many posts recommending headers as one of the first steps in giving my 305 a kick. It seems to be gospel that the stock exhaust manifolds are none too good.

Question: Are there any cast iron exhaust mainifolds which are better than my stockers, and will fit without fabrication?

I realize headers may be the BEST route, but I'd rather not at this point. No time for fiddling around making stuff fit, ground clearance issues, spark plug access issues, new y-pipe, etc, etc.

Just wondering....are any of the factory manifolds better than others?

 

Yes, get some manifolds from the 350 tpi. They are the highest flowing third gen manifolds, but like you said, headers will still outperform them by far. In my opinion it's not worth it to change them.

 

i would wait till your ready too but the 350 TPI makes an non AIR manifold that is a little better than most yes

 

all third gen exhaust manifolds have air tubes.

 

not my friends i swear it has stock exaust manifolds and not tubes!! and there no weld or plug i swear they were mad ethis way... i'm sure it didnt come from the factory like this but he had to buy them somehwhere right?