Late A headers on an early A (smallblock)

I come from a little different school of thought than many that have posted on this thread. When you build a car there are always budget constraints. You have to prioritize where you spend your money. There are areas where you may need to be cost conscious. But, there are also certain areas where you shouldn't compromise. To me, installing headers in a tight engine bay in an early A body definitely falls into the latter category.

I went the TTI route and have never looked back. Sure they are relatively expensive but you really do get what you pay for. Besides, we're really only talking a few hundred dollars here, money well spent in my opinion. They fit perfectly without any modification, dimpling or re-routing. They clear everything, don't burn wires and perform great. Even though I've done my share of fabrication and modification there is no way I can build a better header, accounting for research, time and materials, for the same money. Also, factor in that when you cut up or dimple headers to make them fit you impede performance. Each weld or dimple can cause turbulence and decrease gas flow. The same goes for sharp corners and bends.

My advice, for what it's worth, is don't try and re-invent the wheel. Spend the money and buy a good, quality header with a proven track record. Scrimp and save in other areas but not here.