Header opinions please
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Header opinions please
I want to replace my entire exhaust system on my truck. I have a 2001 F250 with the 2 valve 5.4. I believe that headers will increase my horsepower, and I also know that it's not a lot, maybe up to 25 more horsepower. When it's done, I want a better Y pipe, and then dual after the cat with good performance muffler's, not loud. I have a chance to buy a pair of Gibson, stainless steel, ceramic coated shorty headers from someone who bought them, and then sold their truck before installing them. I can get them for less then 200 bucks, and they are the right one's for my truck. I know some people will say, don't bother, the increase isn't that much, but the way I see it, if you do enough small increases it will ad up. I'm not big on tuner's like some of you. I have heard horror stories that have happened, and I don't want to be the next person to tell one. Headers will increase the power, without any risk of damaging the motor. So, I'm looking for opinions here, both good an bad. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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My buddy just had to replace his 5.4 with 96xxx miles on it... 6500$ later.. he was screw it and put new headers on too.. he put the gibson shortys on and it sounds sweet.. not to loud has the nice burble to it.. the only complaint he has is they have been on for 2 monthsn now and they are already starting to get the petina to them.. little rust spots.. he called and complained and they said its a lower grade stainless steal. soo beware
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Any input? OK, here goes.
You won't see 25 hp from shorty headers and exhaust without adjusting the fuel mapping. Maybe 10-15 at best.
And you're right to be suspicious of tuners - there are some out there that are just plain bad. They are only as good as the software.
BUT....
Do some research on tunes from Mike at 5 Star. No nightmare stories there, just lots of delighted customers.
You won't see 25 hp from shorty headers and exhaust without adjusting the fuel mapping. Maybe 10-15 at best.
And you're right to be suspicious of tuners - there are some out there that are just plain bad. They are only as good as the software.
BUT....
Do some research on tunes from Mike at 5 Star. No nightmare stories there, just lots of delighted customers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,449
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
i bought the gibson stainless headers about three years ago now i guess and i didnt notice a difference really but they must flow better than the stock square cast iron junks. at like said above my stainless r all surfaced rusted. not like bare metal rusted flaking just on the surface and gibson said they r stainless just not high grade and if they do rust through then they will replace them. maybe the ceramic ones will be better.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Any input? OK, here goes.
You won't see 25 hp from shorty headers and exhaust without adjusting the fuel mapping. Maybe 10-15 at best.
And you're right to be suspicious of tuners - there are some out there that are just plain bad. They are only as good as the software.
BUT....
Do some research on tunes from Mike at 5 Star. No nightmare stories there, just lots of delighted customers.
You won't see 25 hp from shorty headers and exhaust without adjusting the fuel mapping. Maybe 10-15 at best.
And you're right to be suspicious of tuners - there are some out there that are just plain bad. They are only as good as the software.
BUT....
Do some research on tunes from Mike at 5 Star. No nightmare stories there, just lots of delighted customers.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
I believe the ceramic coated one's are better. To be honest, a little surface rust isn't the end of the world either. Heck, most exhaust systems have rust on them anyway. So I can live with that to some degree.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
This picture shows what Gibson claims are the increases in horsepower, and torque for the 5.4.
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You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Huntersville, NC
For $200.00, I say go for it! You shouldn't lose any performance and should pick up modest gains, especially with a custom tune from Mike at 5 Star Tuning.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
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From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
May I suggest giving Mike at 5 Star Tuning a call and get his opinion? He is a seriously good guy and has spent hours with these trucks on his dyno.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
With regards to pipe diameters:
Unless you are making radical changes that will change the operating and peak RPM's significantly, 3" for single, or 2.25 to 2.5 for duals is as big as you want to go on engines of this displacement. Any bigger will not gain peak hp and will hurt lower rpm torque.
Unless you are making radical changes that will change the operating and peak RPM's significantly, 3" for single, or 2.25 to 2.5 for duals is as big as you want to go on engines of this displacement. Any bigger will not gain peak hp and will hurt lower rpm torque.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Well, I went and picked up the headers today. I think it was a good buy for 200 bucks. Gibson wants 674 bucks for this set. The ceramic coating is suppose to prevent them from rusting. Now I have to put them on. I will use the stock pipes at first, then I will get a new y pipe. When it's all done, it will all be new except for the cat. Here is a pic of the headers. I got all the hardware and gaskets also.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 7
From: WV
Oh yeah for $200 you can't beat it!
I like that you're gonna try the headers with the original T-pipe. That way you can report back on whether you think the headers helped noticeably.
When I did mine, I did the headers and y-pipe all at once so I'm not sure what helped more but I definitely felt the difference with the combo.
I like that you're gonna try the headers with the original T-pipe. That way you can report back on whether you think the headers helped noticeably.
When I did mine, I did the headers and y-pipe all at once so I'm not sure what helped more but I definitely felt the difference with the combo.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
Oh yeah for $200 you can't beat it!
I like that you're gonna try the headers with the original T-pipe. That way you can report back on whether you think the headers helped noticeably.
When I did mine, I did the headers and y-pipe all at once so I'm not sure what helped more but I definitely felt the difference with the combo.
I like that you're gonna try the headers with the original T-pipe. That way you can report back on whether you think the headers helped noticeably.
When I did mine, I did the headers and y-pipe all at once so I'm not sure what helped more but I definitely felt the difference with the combo.
