what are headers?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
what are headers?
Hi. I'm stupid. I don't know what headers are. I know what an exhaust manifold is. From reading your posts, it sounds like headers are a substitute for exhaust manifolds? I'm also guessing that headers have some performance advantages over manifolds?
Please expound.
Please expound.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
what are headers?
Yes, headers are replacement aftermarket exhaust manifolds, made from steel tubing, instead of the castings used 99% of the time on OEM engines.
The steel tubing allows more (usually) and smoother exhaust flow from the exhaust port on the cylinder head into the exhaust system, and allows the header designer to optimize the exhaust flow more than the casting technique allows.
Headers most always have one tube per cylinder, where cast manifolds sometimes have two adjacent cylinders share an exhaust passage. Also all tubes in a header are usually designed to be equal length.
Headers can be designed to produce more horsepower than stock, more torque, more fuel mileage, or a combination of these three.
They are slightly louder than cast manifolds, due to "ringing" of the tube walls, which is really cool!
The steel tubing allows more (usually) and smoother exhaust flow from the exhaust port on the cylinder head into the exhaust system, and allows the header designer to optimize the exhaust flow more than the casting technique allows.
Headers most always have one tube per cylinder, where cast manifolds sometimes have two adjacent cylinders share an exhaust passage. Also all tubes in a header are usually designed to be equal length.
Headers can be designed to produce more horsepower than stock, more torque, more fuel mileage, or a combination of these three.
They are slightly louder than cast manifolds, due to "ringing" of the tube walls, which is really cool!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
what are headers?
It depends on what you're trying to do with the truck, and what type of engine control systems you have.
Headers can be a fair amount of work to install (motor mounts unbolted, engine jacked up in many smaller trucks, etc.) without necessarily showing a lot of torque gains in some combinations.
Horsepower is much easier to gain with headers.
Almost always some exhaust system modifications are required to fit up; for horsepower gains, a more free flowing dual system is needed, which is fine in carbureted trucks, but which will likely require chipping of most fuel injection systems, which may not be something you're up for.
I've had 3 vehicles with headers, and they're great, but they were all carbureted cars/trucks.
Perhaps others could comment further about adding headers to fuel injected trucks.
Headers can be a fair amount of work to install (motor mounts unbolted, engine jacked up in many smaller trucks, etc.) without necessarily showing a lot of torque gains in some combinations.
Horsepower is much easier to gain with headers.
Almost always some exhaust system modifications are required to fit up; for horsepower gains, a more free flowing dual system is needed, which is fine in carbureted trucks, but which will likely require chipping of most fuel injection systems, which may not be something you're up for.
I've had 3 vehicles with headers, and they're great, but they were all carbureted cars/trucks.
Perhaps others could comment further about adding headers to fuel injected trucks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
what are headers?
I have a pair of Bassani ceramic coated headers on my 96 bronco. I have had NO problems. Yes, you could rechip to take a bit more advantage from them, but they have added alot more 'seat of the pants' power. I have mass air. Speed density, on the other hand, can be quite finicky to performance upgrades. I am sure someone in the computer tuning forum could explain it a bit better than I can.
Rich
Rich
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
what are headers?
The header tubing creates a scavenging effect and draws out exhaust gasses from the cylinder. This makes more room for fresh intake charge. More air/fuel equals more power. More power means less throttle needed which adds mpg. I've added headers to every vehicle I've owned and have never been disappointed.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Norco
what are headers?
Hi. I'm stupid too. Would it be dumb to put headers on a 4.2 V6 in my 2000 F-150 Super cab with auto tranny?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
what are headers?
Your not stupid at all, just uneducated about headers so far, which is not at all a problem.
It would not be dumb to install headers on your truck.
What you want to decide is whether it's the best use of your time and money, compared to other things you could do for your truck, and whether you want/need the improvement they bring.
If all you're doing is commuting to work and back, and you're satisfied with your gas mileage and power/torque, you might rather spend your money on a fancy stereo than a set of headers.
What are you looking to change?
I can't speak to this particular motor/truck combination and what you can expect to gain in fuel mileage, power, sound, etc., but if you post enough info (what you're towing, offroad/onroad, other mods done or anticipated) I'm sure someone has a similar truck with headers and can give you specific feedback.
It would not be dumb to install headers on your truck.
What you want to decide is whether it's the best use of your time and money, compared to other things you could do for your truck, and whether you want/need the improvement they bring.
If all you're doing is commuting to work and back, and you're satisfied with your gas mileage and power/torque, you might rather spend your money on a fancy stereo than a set of headers.
What are you looking to change?
I can't speak to this particular motor/truck combination and what you can expect to gain in fuel mileage, power, sound, etc., but if you post enough info (what you're towing, offroad/onroad, other mods done or anticipated) I'm sure someone has a similar truck with headers and can give you specific feedback.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 15
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From: Norco
what are headers?
Well, as far as gas mileage goes, i don't care if i only get like 12 mpg. I just want to get as much power out of it as possible. and i know this isn't the most popular site for lowering trucks, but that what i want to do. I prefer lifted trucks, but with my 4.2 i figure it wouldn't be able to pull much, and would obviously be faster and more powerful if it was lowered mildly. I dont want to drop it to the floor, but just drop the front 3 inches and the rear 5 inches, to give it an aggresive stance.