Looking for thoughts on which to do first - put on a set of shorty headers, or upgrade the ignition to an MSD 6A? Which does everyone think would be better bang for the bucks? Truck is 95 4 x 4 with a 5.8.

Thanks!

 

I personally would go with the headers first. You will notice a difference in those right away. The stock manifolds are horrible. The MSD box is an excellent upgrade, but one for further down the road once you've added a few other mods to the engine.
That's my $.02

Luke

 

I would go with the ignition, the MSD's are awesome but I just helped a guy install a Jacobs Electronics ignition system that was really cool for the money. It came with 9MM plug wires and everything needed to install on his 91 F150, it works really well and gave a good gas mileage increase. Headers are great but a pain to get perfect with no leaks. You will not get the great sound you are longing for until you get rid of the cats and put on some new mufflers anyway so I think you wouldn't be happy when you were done. Do the exhaust all at once because you will be lucky if your exhaust will bolt up to the new headers after they are installed unless you shell out some big bucks for some very nice headers and it is a hole lot more fun when you are planning to do the entire exhaust and have the money than when you are just planning to do the headers and end up spending hundreds of extra dollars trying to get your stock exhaust to fit and end up dumping hundreds of more dollars buying all the stuff to replace your stock exhaust because it doesn't sound any different than it did stock. If you do get headers be sure to do a lot of research on header gaskets and purchase a set of stage 8 locking header bolts. Drive the vehicle 50 miles or so and tighten the bolts a couple times and then install the locking rings and clips when you feel they are sealed up good and tight with no leaks. The gaskets that come with the Ford motorsport headers and BBK headers will last about 6 months before they blow out, I have installed both of these header sets and know first hand. Get a good copper gasket or if you can find an Earl's Performance gasket for your application get those. They have a think alum. frame and you can re-use them, no burning them up or blowing them out. Good luck with your choice and have fun.

 

You should definitely go for the headers. If your stock ignition is functioning properly you will see no performance gain from any aftermarket ignition.
While MSD's are good ignition boxes their use is really for much higher compression, high reving engines, not virtually stock pieces. They have sometimes produced a little horsepower increase when replacing an older points style ignition and only then because you could open up the plug gap some.

You will be wasting your money on any aftermarket ignition system untill you do a lot, and I mean a lot of engine performance modifications, like high compression heads, pistons, turbo, blower etc.
Many, many 11 and 12 second 1/4 mile drag race cars run just fine on stock igntions. A lot of the time the only reason the racers change over to an MSD is to get the adjustable high end and starting line rev limit these units offer.

 

Everyone has there opinion. I have a 93 4x4 with a 5.8. I saw no gain in mileage or horsepower from the headers. It may be the first mod to do only if you get rid of the factory cats first.