Hi I'm new. I looked at your stickies and still have some questions.

#1 What 6.8 do I have? I have a 01 excursion. I see stuff for 2v or 3v 6.8. One is better or worse?

#2 There's all this ticking when I accelerate. It comes from the front sounds like the engine. But when I idle I don't hear it. Maybe it's happened to you guys before.

#3 Thanks for your help.

 

#1. You and every other EX owner (with the mighty V-10) has the 2 valve model. The earlier models have fewer spark plug hole threads that sometimes lead to plug blowouts, not the end of the world and very repairable. In '03 or so the number of threads was increased to address that issue.
The 3 valve motor has more power and torque and it also gets the better 5 speed trans, bummer huh?

#2. Sounds like maybe an exhaust leak. These 2 valve modular motors have a bad habit of breaking the exhaust manifold bolts leading to leaks. Common problem, pain in the butt to fix. . Some folks will just replace with the Original style do like I did and use the failures as an excuse to install headers. . Good headers are pricey but they do deliver some noticeable performance!

#3. No problem!

 

Tom has you fully covered.

 

Damn Tom thanks!!!! Well there you go first upgrade is new headers hahaha. Sucks about the motor and trans. Oh well still love this rocket! Thanks again for your help!

 

Side note. Any advice on the best type of header. I saw there's a banks power kit. it comes with a lot.

 

I just have the Banks headers and left the rest of my exhaust stock, I tow heavy a lot and with that combo I could really feel an increase in performance across the entire RPM range. I'm sure a free flowing muffler would improve that even more, the stock EX exhaust is a good diameter and mandrel bent so it really doesn't need upgrading, the headers were expensive enough!
From my experience and research I have formed these header opinions, the Banks are pricey but deliver a well made stainless product that performs very well. Thorleys are a great long tube header but will need periodic cleaning and repainting as they are not stainless, have read many positive performance reviews. Headmans are good performance wise but have been struggling with a leaky ball and socket design issue, improvements have been made but I think I read where they are better but not quite perfect yet. Any shorty style header will breath a little better than the stock manifold but won't come close to the gains a longer tube style will give you. There used to be some off brand or nameless eBay stainless headers that were cheap, avoid them at all cost! I have read many reports of them cracking then being repaired only crack again.