Reply to "Headers"

Your Pantera is currently equipped with the Hall Big bore exhaust system. People either love that system, or they hate it, and for the same reason. Because its LOUD!

The original quad glass-pack system was the Mind Train exhaust system. That system was intuitively designed by Fred Matsumoto, the co-founder of Pantera International. It looked like the OEM system with just a casual glance, but with a closer look a person could see it was quad glass-packs. The system looked good, sounded just right, and made good power too. Used versions still sell for top dollar, if and when one comes up for sale. I wouldn't mind having a Mind Train system on my Pantera either.

The only off-the-shelf system currently available with the quad glass pack look is the PI Motorsports Big Throat system. The PI Motorsport headers are of the same design as the Mind Train headers, but the glass packs are something new. I've heard them on Jerry Sacket's Pantera and they aren't that loud, just a nice mellow deep tone. Jerry can sell an intermediate pipe to connect the headers and mufflers, although he doesn't advertise it. Their dual glass-pack muffler is made of polished stainless steel, its a very high quality item. If the PI Motorsport quad glass-packs aren't to your liking, you'll have to fabricate your own. Which a few guys have.

Regarding headers to go along with those quad glass-packs ... my preference with 4V heads would be to select one with 1-7/8" OD or 2" OD primary tubing. I like the GTS mini-tri-y header, because the tri-y design emphasizes lower rpm power. The PI Motorsport header is a good one too. Larry Stock sells headers, but I'm not familiar with them, I think his header tubing is usually on the small side. Pat Mical's is the best. I don't think anyone disputes that. But the best usually costs the most too. Adams Hudson has a set of Pat's headers on his 1974 L, with a relatively stock motor, and speaks very highly of the performance improvement they made. I'm not sure which mufflers Adams has on his Pantera. Hopefully he'll comment.

-G