Cheapo stainless header recommendations

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Feb 12, 2025 | 09:11 AM

daktah

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Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 107

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Cheapo stainless header recommendations

I know this has been asked before but the latest thread is from 2018.

It appears I have a leaking header, surprise surprise, and I'll be dropping my transmission soon so it's the perfect time to take care of it. I want to install some stainless headers to hopefully prevent this from happening again so I wanted to see what you guys recommend for cheap brands cuz I'm not paying like $700 for a set of BBK or JBA shorties.
Ideally I would like long tubes, but no one makes cheap ones anymore (even pacesetter) and I'm definitely not spending 100-200% of the value of my truck on a set from stainless works or whatever.
As an aside, I don't understand why the aftermarket is basically dead for the 11th gen but you can still find cheapo long tubes and stuff for jellybeans.

Feb 13, 2025 | 04:52 AM

techrep

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2023

Posts: 2,762

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From: Virginia Beach

I would just replace the manifold with another stock one from Ford, and get a stainless steel set of studs and bolts. Headers will leak unless you mill the head flat again and with the mileage on your motor it's not gonna last forever.

Feb 13, 2025 | 10:17 AM

daktah

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 107

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Why would a cracked manifold cause a warped head? It is absurdly common on these motors and is fixed by just replacing the header. Even if the engine were to randomly just up and die (I take care of my vehicles so it wouldn't be due to neglect), why wouldn't I just fix or replace it rather than get rid of the truck? Also, it's not like headers are one time use and have to be replaced if for some reason I have to replace the engine, and also the price difference between a set of eBay cast headers (discontinued from Ford) and eBay stainless ones is only like $100 which is who cares money for a superior product.

Feb 14, 2025 | 06:35 AM

techrep

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2023

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From: Virginia Beach

you were the one complaining about how much headers cost. I know all about this ... been through it. do what you want, I was just trying to save you some time and dime.

Feb 14, 2025 | 08:00 AM

daktah

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Feb 2020

Posts: 107

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Yes, that's why I put "cheapo" in the title. I'm not spending $700 on some shorty headers that are the exact same performance-wise as the stock ones, especially when the equivalent product made in the exact same chinese factory is available for half the price elsewhere. Maybe some long tubes that will give you a couple more dyno points and shift your power profile, but not shorties. It also doesn't save me any money or time to get cast iron headers again because they're not much cheaper (and would be far more expensive if they were still available from ford) and, well, I still have to install them one way or the other. Everything else about the motor not lasting forever so why bother worrying about the next time the headers will crack is irrelevant.

Feb 16, 2025 | 07:29 AM

techrep

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2023

Posts: 2,762

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From: Virginia Beach

with new shorty headers you will need to replace both sides of you exhaust manifolds, with a set of long tubes you will need to redo you exhaust system. If you just replace the cracked side.. i assume it's the passenger side because that's the most likely culprit. You can get a dorman ceramic coated replacement made of better blend of cast iron with all new studs and bolts plus gaskets for $107 plus tax and shipping. both sides would cost you less than a Cheapo set of headers that will probably leak.