Just wondering the reasoning for having cylinders 1-3 into one collector and 4-6 into another. Would it not be better to run cylinders 1 and 6 into a collector, 2 and 5 and 3 and 4 as pairs? Wouldn't this enable the exhaust pulse from #6 to help draw in intake charge for #1 and thus fill the cylinder better? Am I thinking completely wrong or is there a reason for doing it the way it's been done for 50 yrs? Thanks

Craig,
Yes, you are correct on this, in theory, and I've seen systems like this. But as a practical matter all pipe lengths should be tuned to the same rpm by making all the tubes the same length. You can see the problem with making the 1-6 pipes the same length as the 3-4 set, without being too long. The paired sets should be joined into a 3 - 1 set of pipes too. More conventional systems are probably nearly as good by the time you optimize jetting and cam timing. Don't stop wondering...

I am not sure if this is what you are reffering to, but there is a set of headers at Stovebolt site similar to what you are asking about.

Ad # 2343
#: 53 subject: 4 tube headers Posted on: 05/27/2002

Humm

Luis