5.4 headers?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8,304
Likes: 27
From: Salem, VA
5.4 headers?
I have the upggraded y-pipe and damn that made a huge difference. I got the SCT tuner and am running the economy tune, plus I took out the 3rd row seat so I'm basically gutted now and ready to race (kidding). I wouldn't mind a nice project like tearing into the headers and replacing the studs and upgrading to a nice set of better flowing headers but I'm not sure how well other 5.4 headers for other trucks fit our rigs. Is this mod pointless? Should I be looking for something else to do? Should I just admit defeat in the fact that I have a 5.4 and will never have the options/excitement of you diesel guys?
I know I'll never have your power and I'm not aiming for that because without a 900 shot of nitrous I've no chance. I just want a little more oomph out of the old girl
I'm tired of getting in my wifes 2001 Highlander and feeling like I'm in a little spit fighter and my EX like a B-52 
Also I'm 2wd Never going to go off-roading but I do drive it like a truck and go off of the road and over curbs though 
I know I'll never have your power and I'm not aiming for that because without a 900 shot of nitrous I've no chance. I just want a little more oomph out of the old girl
I'm tired of getting in my wifes 2001 Highlander and feeling like I'm in a little spit fighter and my EX like a B-52 Also I'm 2wd
Never going to go off-roading but I do drive it like a truck and go off of the road and over curbs though
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
From all the post I have read There is a gain in the Y-pipe but the headers not so much, the cool factor is there but not the seat of the pants wow factor. The best bang for your buck as you know is going to be gears..
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
Didn`t the 5.4 X come with 4.10`s? going to a 4.30 would not be at all noticeable.
I would keep an eye out for a Lightning supercharger setup! now that would be cool. and they you would have a good need for a set of headers.
I would keep an eye out for a Lightning supercharger setup! now that would be cool. and they you would have a good need for a set of headers.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
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Elder User
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Some one just posted a gear chart that is very nice. Shows what tire and gear ratio and what rpm u will be at 65mph
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
rI have a 5.4 and will never have the options/excitement of you diesel guys?
I'm tired of getting in my wifes 2001 Highlander and feeling like I'm in a little spit fighter and my EX like a B-52
Also I'm 2wd Never going to go off-roading but I do drive it like a truck and go off of the road and over curbs though
I'm tired of getting in my wifes 2001 Highlander and feeling like I'm in a little spit fighter and my EX like a B-52
Also I'm 2wd
Never going to go off-roading but I do drive it like a truck and go off of the road and over curbs though By the way I read this, I can tell you secretly dream about owning a diesel 4x4 it's ok bro we all know. Trust me you would love the power, 500HP with close to 900lbs of torque is not expensive to achieve on a 6.0...
Now that your secret is out, keep your EX clean and do all maintenance on time. Every time you get the need or itch to buy something for your existing EX, don't!
Take the money that mod cost plus labor add 20% and put it in a jar! Before you know it you will have between your savings and existing Ex enough to get one.
Just my .02 "don't tell the wife what your saving for or the jar will always be empty"
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: Concord, NH
Here's some advise from an elder....
By the way I read this, I can tell you secretly dream about owning a diesel 4x4 it's ok bro we all know. Trust me you would love the power, 500HP with close to 900lbs of torque is not expensive to achieve on a 6.0...
Now that your secret is out, keep your EX clean and do all maintenance on time. Every time you get the need or itch to buy something for your existing EX, don't!
Take the money that mod cost plus labor add 20% and put it in a jar! Before you know it you will have between your savings and existing Ex enough to get one.
Just my .02 "don't tell the wife what your saving for or the jar will always be empty"
Sent from my SM Galaxy Note 3 using IB AutoGroup
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
Headers were my biggest regret with my old 5.4...huge waste of money for 0 gain besides a huge pain in the ***. That was in no way fun, but i was able to take a header off in 45 mins after all that crap...
Unless you want to do a supercharger or turbo or something, you are just wasting your money on a 5.4. Take it from someone who has wasted plenty of money on trying to make a 5.4 "fast". I just bought an $80 tune for my diesel and have around 400 rwhp and plenty of power to do whatever i want... i probably spent 2g on stuff that did absolutely nothing on my 5.4
Unless you want to do a supercharger or turbo or something, you are just wasting your money on a 5.4. Take it from someone who has wasted plenty of money on trying to make a 5.4 "fast". I just bought an $80 tune for my diesel and have around 400 rwhp and plenty of power to do whatever i want... i probably spent 2g on stuff that did absolutely nothing on my 5.4
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
That is good advice a few posts up. If this isn't what you really want and can't be turned into what you want, you're just wasting money because it won't be worth more when you go to sell it. Save your money and get what you want and be patient getting there, it doesn't happen overnight.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,240
Likes: 754
From: Houston, Texas
That is good advice a few posts up. If this isn't what you really want and can't be turned into what you want, you're just wasting money because it won't be worth more when you go to sell it. Save your money and get what you want and be patient getting there, it doesn't happen overnight.
With my '01 I found it too low to the ground after awhile and like you, wanted to be able to drive over curbs and go to the beach without getting stuck. To that end, I lifted my 2wd Excursion 6 inches and while I was able to driver over curbs and drive through some nicely packed sand, an open diff and the lack of 4wd killed me.
To that end, I fixed what needed to be fixed, stopped spending money on my '01 Excursion, and bought the 2005 Excursion I have now. It has 4wd, the 6.0 below the hood, and is everything I've ever wanted in a truck. Per my sig, I had it studded, deleted, gearheaded, and will not be tempted to spend money on mods since I spent the money up front.
The lesson here: Patience young padawan, strong in you....have the Diesel Excursion you desire, soon enough you will have....
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
I put headers on my 99 Expy with the 5.4 due to an exhaust leak which was a cracked manifold. Instead of buying overpriced factory manifolds I put headers on it. There was basically no difference afterwards except for additional noise. I agree with the other posts and save your money.