I feel like I've had a small exhaust leak for a long time and living in Michigan I figure eventually I'll end up with some busted manifold studs. Has anybody used this as an excuse to install headers? What did you go with? How was the install? Figure I'd look for some quality studs and then long tubes would be more logical than shorties but are they stock PCM compatible or will it mess with the O2 sensors, etc? I believe LT's would require a new y-pipe but otherwise should be plug and play.

 

You can get them with a Catted Y pipe or Off Road Y with Factory Connect. I will probably be going with Long Tubes and Catted on my 6.2 in the next year.

 

I put a pair of stainless headers on my 2001 with 5.4. The old manifolds had holes eroded through and of course half the studs broke off. It only took me about 16 hours to remove, drill out/ retap broken studs and install new headers with all new studs which required cutting a few studs shorter, as they were short headers with very close clearance. But it all worked out fine and i no longer have the truck .
Yes, 16 hours-- 2 solid days of work. I am not exaggerating.
YMMV.

 

I'm in the same boat. I already have three broken studs on my exhaust manifolds. I was looking at shorty headers based on them being plug and play. I was also looking at some stage8 fasteners instead of new studs but they are a little pricey at $76 for a set.

 

Buck268, you do not need to re-tune with Shorty's but u would need a custom tune with Long Tube's.
As long as your using the OE cross-over, the Shorty's bolt right in & no separate tuning required.
I looked around a lot & IMO, JBA looks to make the best Shorty option for the 5.0

It was a horrible job installing, then re-torque after initial drive. There's very little room as the engine sits between the frame (mustang is easier)!
Note: I sprayed my Manifold Bolts a few times, over a couple weeks, prior to removing them & I live in the south. Paid off though, as none snapped.