Depends on what ya want, and how much ya wanna spend. Headers, in and of themselves, won't do much for performance, unless you deal with the rest of the stock exhaust as well. (Y-pipe, cat, etc.)

 

i plan on changing that all too just trying to work from the front back. and figured since the motor is out it would be easier to change the headers now and then ill deal with the rest in about a month. what system would yall recommend running the rest of the way back? also what size is the stock exhaust pipe the whole way back?

 

There is a diagram of the exhaust permutations in the faq section.

Basically, anything that breathes better than the stock system will be an upgrade. My personal preference would be fore 1.5 inch primary Long Tube headers, and true duals (2.5 inch pipe.). However, finding those headers at a reasonable price (less than half of what I paid for the truck.....) is proving difficult. Just not a lot of aftermarket support for these trucks any more....

So far, for long tubes, I think the "best" (compromise) option is the Pace Setter long tubes. You can get the coated, with a y-pipe (should you want one) for around 500. If you opt for a single exhaust, go 3 inch.

Or, you could do shorties, (of your choice) Jegs, or Summit "off road" y-pipe, aftermarket high-flow universal cat, and 3" pipe. Mufflers of your choice on either system.

 

Should I replace the distributer while it's out? I planned on the cap and rotor already.

 

Only if it has a problem. (sloppy bushings, worn parts, etc.)

 

Being that you mentioned this to be your target use, then the focus should be torque focus.

Camshaft, gears, and exhaust (shorties). Keep the stock intake. With those expect to give the tranny some TLC.

 

im not gonna be able to afford to replace the heads right now but while i got the block pretty much torn apart should i go ahead and pull the heads off and replace the head gasket or not? if yes how hard is it to replace that gasket? im looking at it right now and it looks like if i pull the heads off the the valves might come out too and that ive never done so i just dont wanna end up messing up. ive got the plenum pulled off the valve covers off the timing and every taken off. so like i said should i go ahead and replace the gasket while im right here?

 

i dont know much about dodges but when you have a motor out and you wanna rebuild it dont you start with a gasket set?? or am i just *** backwards?

 

If you are not going to rework/replace heads, why would you pull them? And installing head gaskets is not a big chore. Torque correctly and to the correct values.

While it is out, do the plenum and timing set anyway (probably already been mentioned, but I am too old and lazy to reread the entire thread....

 

What is the latest year motor I could drop in my truck wothout having to change the computer and that is a direct bolt up to the tranny.