For the sake of room under the car, would I be better off using shorty headers vs. long tube? Factory 350/Muncie 4 speed with 2" drop spindles. Worried the long tubes might drag from time to time. Anyone have a similar setup?

Thanks.

Do they even make shorties that will fit a 1st gen ? If so, please post brand and part number. Thanks.

Well, I did a little search and to my surprise, Summit shows some 1st gen shorties for a Pontiac engine. I never heard of the Brand before. Any other brands out there that I don't know about ?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/snh-pf1-sec/applications/year/1968/make/pontiac/model/firebird

Here's the painted version on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-389-400-...s-/251106980804

Here's the builder's site.

http://www.sandersonheaders.com/Sanderso...400-Engine.html

The Hedman shorties don't show to fit 1st gens.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-28164/applications/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hed-28170/applications/

I suppose the long branch manifolds would be cheaper than Dougs headers.

http://www.ramairrestoration.com/lb-1-long-branch-d-port-factory-headers.html

We ran Hedman 35270's. I don't remember them hangin low or draggin They have real short collectors. So, the tailpipes can be routed as close to the body as you dare. These short collector headers should therefore provide more ground clearance, than headers with long collectors. For street use, you can even do away with the collector flange, or at least cut the bottom portion of it off, so that nothing will hang lower than the bottom of the collector tube. For racing, we ran collector extensions on these to get the exhaust fumes past the cockpit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hedman-35270-Pai...6fe&vxp=mtr

I suppose you could even use 3-tube headers, and cut most of the collectors off, in order to reduce to the smaller size exhaust pipes sooner. That should help with the clearance. And there will probably be no noticeable difference in performance thru a full exhaust system. Jim Hand says the 3-tube headers will make about the same power as the Ram Air type, cast iron manifolds. So, there are several choices that will provide a bit more ground clearance.

http://www.pontiaczone.com/forum/showpost.php?p=346467&postcount=1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hedman-28140-Pai...93e&vxp=mtr

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=ch...%203%20to%202.5

Doug's Headers are a bit pricey but they tuck up really nicely under the floor pans. In fact, so close that I had to push up on the collectors to dimple the floor a bit for vibration clearance.

Get the Dougs or just get the long branch manifolds from Ram Air Restoration. I have Dougs and they are as described.

I keep hearing RARE LBM's are out of stock and not anticipated to be made again for another year or so.

Has anyone else heard different?

If available, I highly recommend RARE.

I read that it is the round port version that is out of stock. I think they have the D-port versions. Haven't called tho. Their site says these are in stock.

http://www.ramairrestoration.com/lb-1-long-branch-d-port-factory-headers.html

I have ran both. The Dougs fit and finish are top notch. There was minor to no gain going to the Dougs.

Yes, D-port LBMs are available and in stock from RARE. They've been saying sometime next year for a couple years now on the round ports. Must not be enough demand...

Thanks for the help guys! The links were especially helpful!