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I will be installing an Edelbrock EFI performer intake and roller rockers in the coming months (working on the truck in my signature) and had a thought that some OEM headers would make a nice compliment. I thought headers from a first generation lightning would be the best fit (F2TZ9430A, F3TZ9431K) but I am not sure they have any EGR provision, and I am not sure on whether they will bolt right up to the stock (not lightning) collectors. It is not an ambitious build, just looking for a little more than stock. I have run headers before and found them to be leak prone and in the way for spark plug changes, so I am not married to installing a set. I realize the stock CAT would need to be addressed for any gains from the headers to be realized. I think the primary improvement will be from the intake and roller fulcrums.
When I went looking for shorties & a Y I looked hard at Getting Bassani's Lightning Y which is more of a crossover plus "X" into 2, 2-1/2 outlets instead of the 3" single.
So a true dual, semi balanced exhaust could be run all the way out.
Point is, it SEEMS that a Lightning header ends up in the same place in space as a factory 5.8 manifold & any shortie like the old Ford Racing shorties for our 5.8 OBSs or my JBAs do.
I ran my Bassani Y (2-1/2 into single 3) on the factory manifold for a couple years before I got the JBA shorties & they bolted & lined right up
What I'm saying is I don't know if wedding yourself to the Lightning headers just cause they are factory is worth the trouble & cost.
The eddy takes the EGR in the stock location right?
Any of this in the neighborhood of what you're asking?
I am not really married to Lightning headers, but the parts are reasonably priced, as in less than quality aftermarket. Just about every OEM header I see is for Mustangs, so when I saw the Lightning headers my instinct was to jump on them. But the lack of EGR provision is a deal breaker for me. I haven't seen a set of the old Ford Motorsport headers specific to these trucks nor have I been able to find their part number/s, not that I have really been looking. Such a critter would be ideal.
But, at the end of the day I think addressing the CAT will be sufficient. Nice headers would just be cherry.
What I haven't been able to figure out (purely for ****s & giggles) is how the EGR is set up on the Lightning trucks. I know there is an EGR on the throttle body, but haven't been able to find out anything else. Even my Ford workshop manual was pretty useless on the topic.
The GT40 lower is internally plumbed for EGR and so are many of the cast uppers but the tubular GT40 upper used on the Lightning and Cobra isn't so those must use an external tube if they actually have EGR that is.
Did some poking around and it looks like the Lightning upper intake had a small tube on the underside to feed the EGR from the base manifold. So naturally, there wouldn't be a provision in the headers.
A GT40 head has one of the two center exhaust ports opened to the center riser of the head & goes directly to the center of the lower intake GT40 intake.
Top 2 are truck intakes with closed riser, bottom is Explorer GT40.
Summary based on the feedback and my research for anyone who reads this thread later on.
The stock Lightning headers : F2TZ9430A passenger side, F3TZ9431K driver side. Pros - OEM quality and fit, will bolt up to the stock y pipe, still available, and a step up from stock manifolds. Cons - no EGR provision, (but one could be made) known to develop rust quickly, and better aftermarket parts are available today.
Ford Motorsport M-9430-T58 headers, Set designed for EFI 5.8 Truck Engines - Looks like they were more or less clones of the Lightning headers, but with a provision for the stock EGR pipe. Not 100% but maybe later sets had coatings to deal with rust complaints. These look to be unobtanium today.
I picked it all up early this year, and recent threads made me think about this thread and i thought the photos would be relevant. The Ford Racing parts are not clones of the stock Lightning parts, larger tubes more like the modern JBA's. I think the Lightning headers may be a good choice to go with GT40P heads, and can be had for cheap used. They are what I ended up using on my build (with a ceramic coating) and I have been pleased with the performance and sound.
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