I've had 2 sets of headers on the bird. First a set of Red's tri-y's, and now a set of FPA's. The exhaust is 2.25", thru a pair of Hushpower mufflers, and a couple resonators. The headers fit well, and the steady rest work fine (makes the oil filter a little hassle with the stick shift). I'd have gone to 2.5" pipes, but my car has a tri 4 bar and coil overs, and 2.5 would have been difficult and maybe impossible. My headers made a number of dyno pulls before I had them coated, and they were really clean and have held up well.

Stan (who makes the flanges, and I think the headers to FPA' s design), FPA, and the guy who does the coating (and did mine) are all local to me. Because of shipping, John Mummert had me buy them direct from FPA.

The hushpower muffler was a huge mistake, way to loud and nasty at wide open throttle, hence the resonators. When I built the 320 cid 9:1 engine (Mummert ported 113 heads)I went straight to the Red's headers so I don't know what 57 cast manifolds would have done. But you can read all about the exhaust test from Ted's post.

The exhaust system is all welded stainless, nothing hits, so no complaint there. All over again, especially with a relatively stock engine I might be inclined to use the 57 manifolds (coated) and a fabricated 2-2.25 system all the way back. Smithy's mufflers have always sounded good to me on my buddy's car, I'd probably use those.

I've never looked at the Sanderson's, beyond confirming they won't fit my modified steering.



miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Phil, here is what 3" looks like in a 55 Bird. I have had 2-1/4, 2-1/2 a d now 3" all exiting in the stock location. The 3 inch was a major challenge but too tight a fit to rattle. LOL

  Vic Correnti

Thanks for the input.   I believe I will keep my 57 manifolds and go with a custom exhaust system with larger pipes for now.  These days you never know what the value of your car is going to be in the future.  We all sell eventually, so it is a consideration. If I was racing my car, there would be no limit on modifications. I would jerk out the rear end, replace it with a 9", upgrade the transmission and go for it.  Aluminum heads and headers would be right up there on my list. My car would be a $10,000 Thunderbird race car with a $20,000 motor and drive train.   I've been down that road many times myself.  Times being what they are now, I should be happy with what I've got and just drive. 

This is only a suggestion and might not be feasible with the limited space under the early birds or maybe you already have something similar in mind but I'll post a couple pics anyways. One of the requirements when discussing the custom system on my 64 F100 was it MUST be user friendly, easy to take down repeatedly. Like, when it becomes necessary to pull the trans or for clutch work etc.. The pipe bender formed these ball type joints right and left, joining the H section. They work excellent and require very little horizontal movement to split the joint. This system is 2 1/4" SS. Hope this helps, JEFF............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500