Gains?

63Futura

Well-known member
A couple of questions for anyone that wants to answer. I recently installed a set of the Pacemaker headers that Mike is selling. I have attached it to a 2-1/4" exhaust line and a FlowTech Afterburner muffler. The engine is a stock '63 170 CI, and a Ford-O-Matic transmission. I believe that it has a Holley 1946 or 1949 carb.

What can I expect as far as:
Horsepower increase?
MPG increase?
Highway RPM Decrease at a given speed?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 
8)

I'm guessing but due to teh better breathing installing a header usually shows an increase of 10-13hp and a highflow exhaust usually adds roughly about 5-10hp

IMHO it depends on the state of tune. If your engine is not struggling against the exhaust restrictions opening it up wont make a night and day difference. A engine running a bigger car, more compression, bigger cam will be able to utilize the better flowing exhaust to advantage and therefore produce higher hp numbers

My own experience on my '80 Stang and stock 200 and c4 auto trans is that when I went with a 2 1/4" exhaust to a highflow muffler and dual 2 1/4" tailpipes I lost a noticeable amount of torque off idle but man the rest of the rpm range was a feel it in the seat of the pants difference that lasted til power ran out at about 85mph
 
I have a set of 6 into 2 headers and dual exhaust as well (as well as other things) and the HP increase will be noticeable for sure - smoother and quicker excelleration, and I got a LOT more low end torque (that's what I built mine for - all geared towards bottom end). The MPG increased some as well, nothing Huge, but it did increase. As far as the RPM... Incredible! I went from running high at 45mph to turning right at 4 at 85mph
 
This is not too different to the experiment I did a while back. I would tend to suggest that HP gains will be very mild with the standard ignition. Expect a smoother idle, and possibly better fuel economy. We found the exhaust actually got quieter.

If you run a dual advance igniton (preferably electronic) and greater lift on the rocker arms, you will notice more grunt. But the dual advance electronic ignition rated highest on the "buttometer".

Adam.
 
For the latter cross-flow 250 sixes, a set of Pacemaker headers added 18% more rear wheel power to the stock six cylinder engines, and improved mpg by 13% at cruising conditions. The results on a log or 2V 200 to 250 should be at least as good as this. Off course, you learn to bury the boot until the novelty of the extra grunt and nice sound wears off. It hasn't with mine yet :lol:
 
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