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Did headers help your 5.4L? How much?

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Old Jan 7, 2004 | 10:45 PM
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Question Did headers help your 5.4L? How much?

I am contemplating replacing the stock exhaust manifolds with 50-state legal aftermarket headers and was just wondering if anyone out there has done this? and if they were pleased with the gains? What difference(s) did you notice vs. stock? Did it create a lot of under-the-hood engine noise: reg driving? under full throttle acceleration? or extra exhaust system noise in general? Was the cost worth the gains? Overall value? and anything else you could throw my way re: headers for the 5.4L...

Thanks all !!!

Best,
 
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 11:26 AM
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Me too

I was wondering the same thing getting sick and tired of swapping out exhaust manifolds
 
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 11:36 AM
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shorties = lighter wallet zero power / mpg gains


long tubes = a litter better scavenging, really help if supercharged
 
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 11:59 AM
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I think the best gains would be from a tune. That said, I have no experience with headers but I would not expect miracles
 
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by F350SDOwner
I was wondering the same thing getting sick and tired of swapping out exhaust manifolds

sounds like you have a bad transmission mount
 
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by WWR
I think the best gains would be from a tune. That said, I have no experience with headers but I would not expect miracles

transmission tuning helps, BUT on a naturally aspirated 5.4 minimal power gains can be obtained…
 
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Old Sep 18, 2022 | 07:09 PM
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ABSOLUTELY NOT! Been down this road and multiple turn offs for years while owning my 5.4 in my F350. Intake/different handheld tuners/gears/headers/ypipe/tire size changes etc....in the end now stock intake and ecm tuning. Match the hears to what tire size your running (4.30 with 285/75r16 for me) transgo shift kit to fix Fords horrible stock pressure issues AND BACK TO STOCK MANIFOLDS with the early ram style ypipe. Trucks runs the best this way and does what it needs too
 
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Old Sep 18, 2022 | 08:17 PM
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We bought our '08 F150 with 315/70/17s and an SCT "power tune" already loaded on it. I'm impressed at how it does unloaded, even with the taller tires and stock gears. At Colorado altitudes. Our common trip is starting from home at ~6700' to Denver, so a couple passes at 10-11k

Towing anything it's still a dog like any 5.4

I've driven a couple stock 3V 5.4s and they are noticeably slower. I think the thing to remember is not just peak power on the dyno but HOW and WHERE that power comes in. The tune seems to REALLY help with that.
 
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