Headers for 302
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 44
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From: Everett, WA
Headers for 302
I've been looking around for headers for awhile, want a little extra boost in hp and I want to get rid of the stock manifolds, and I'd like to get some feedback from members here. I don't have a ton of money to spend so I'd like something not too much higher than 200 dollars.
I've been looking at Dynomax.
http://store.summitracing.com/productdetail.asp?p=2002
.. and Flowtech
http://store.summitracing.com/productdetail.asp?p=4727
I'm leaning toward the Flowtechs because they are cheaper and the shorty's look like they can bolt on without having to change my exhaust piping, at least not very much.
If would be great if you any of you guys had either of these so I could get input directly from a consumer.
Thanks.
I've been looking at Dynomax.
http://store.summitracing.com/productdetail.asp?p=2002
.. and Flowtech
http://store.summitracing.com/productdetail.asp?p=4727
I'm leaning toward the Flowtechs because they are cheaper and the shorty's look like they can bolt on without having to change my exhaust piping, at least not very much.
If would be great if you any of you guys had either of these so I could get input directly from a consumer.
Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 725
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Or you can spend a few extra bucks and buy the Ford motorsport shorties. They are made out of stainless steel so you won't have to worry about replacing them for a long time. I have them on my truck and like them alot.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
the thing with headers is you get what you pay for. you go to cheap and you will have lots of problems. jba,gibson,edelbrock all are good ones. even with the shorties if your Y pipe is the stock unit it will probably not bolt right up to the collectors. Most shops will fix that for about 80-100 bucks.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
i have tried both shortys and equal length long tube on my trucks and while the shorties were convenient and bolted up with no trouble they didn't seem to make any difference , while the equal length long headers which required some exhaust work really seemed ( by seat of the pants) to make more power and the engine seemed to run free.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
the problem with longtube headers is you can run into fitment issues where they come in contact with the frame and such. Also the exhaust hangs down farther which puts it at risk for damage when your out 4x4in. I to have heard that long tube headers produce more grunt but I have not seen this personally. I had some shorties on my old 302 along with a custom 3" exhaust and feel it made a big difference.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 100
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From: linden, mi
I have a set of dynomax on my mustang that were also jet hot coated. I had to send them back in to be recoated after about 6 years free of charge they are warrantied for life. The headers do have a high build quality. You get more horsepower from a full lenght header but as stated already you may have some fit issues.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15
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Before you buy, consider how long you want to keep your rig. The cheaper headers may not last longer than a couple of years if you live in an area that sees winter road salt. You really do tend to get what you pay for, is especially true with headers. The best are the bassani, JBA, Ford motorsport, good are BBK, MAC, edelbrock, and then they go down in quality from there. Look for something with a 3/8" mounting flange at the very least, 14GA tubing is also better than 16GA. Buy the best you can afford, you will be glad you did later on down the road.
I have a set of bassani equal length shortys on my truck. They are a honest to goodness (IMHO), mount em' and forget em' header. They use a high tech stainless plate gasket with graphite impregnated foil inserts. They are pricey, but very well engineered and I fully expect they will out last the rest of the truck.
I have a set of bassani equal length shortys on my truck. They are a honest to goodness (IMHO), mount em' and forget em' header. They use a high tech stainless plate gasket with graphite impregnated foil inserts. They are pricey, but very well engineered and I fully expect they will out last the rest of the truck.
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New User
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I installed a bassani Y pipe and catback at the same time the headers went on. I chucked the whole stock system into the dumpster. Bassani claims that the stock Y pipe will work with their headers.
I have the 302 in my truck.
I have the 302 in my truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
I ran JBA plated headers for about 7 years until the damn colelctor rusted!!! (they are supposedto be lifetime, how do I contactthem?)
I then got a set of motorsport SS from summit (non plated) - both fit right up. be prepared to go thru gaskets a lot, the smallblock likes to rock and crimps the gaskets over and over till they fail.
btw, motorsports headers are made by JBA
I then got a set of motorsport SS from summit (non plated) - both fit right up. be prepared to go thru gaskets a lot, the smallblock likes to rock and crimps the gaskets over and over till they fail.
btw, motorsports headers are made by JBA
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
Got JBA shorty headers two years ago. Bolted right up, perfect fit, perfect alignment with factory Y pipe. No problems with gaskets or rust. I would suggest that you purchase a quality set of Hex head header bolts at the same time. Getting a wrench in there to install and torque is a pain.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
Originally posted by BigRedBronc
Got JBA shorty headers two years ago. Bolted right up, perfect fit, perfect alignment with factory Y pipe. No problems with gaskets or rust. I would suggest that you purchase a quality set of Hex head header bolts at the same time. Getting a wrench in there to install and torque is a pain.
Got JBA shorty headers two years ago. Bolted right up, perfect fit, perfect alignment with factory Y pipe. No problems with gaskets or rust. I would suggest that you purchase a quality set of Hex head header bolts at the same time. Getting a wrench in there to install and torque is a pain.
a note about headers on a ford truck: with the angled plugs, you will torch even the best plug wires, ( I murdered a pretty set of motorsport 9mm) get some socks for the boots - they help. summit sells em.
did you mean 12pt bolts? they are easier to grab than hex with the limited space
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
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From: Groton, CT
Nope, I mean Hex head. You know, the kind that look like you could install them with an allen wrench. Put a 3/8 drive hex (allen head) bit on your trusty socket wrench and awwwaaay you go. No more clearance problems trying to get a socket or wrench around the bolt. Works like a dream.
BTW...you think you live in the snow belt...try New England for a while. Between salt air and salt on the roads, everything rusts.
I think my dog is rusting.
BTW...you think you live in the snow belt...try New England for a while. Between salt air and salt on the roads, everything rusts.
I think my dog is rusting.
Last edited by BigRedBronc; Jan 12, 2004 at 07:53 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
Originally posted by BigRedBronc
Nope, I mean Hex head. You know, the kind that look like you could install them with an allen wrench. Put a 3/8 drive hex (allen head) bit on your trusty socket wrench and awwwaaay you go. No more clearance problems trying to get a socket or wrench around the bolt. Works like a dream.
Nope, I mean Hex head. You know, the kind that look like you could install them with an allen wrench. Put a 3/8 drive hex (allen head) bit on your trusty socket wrench and awwwaaay you go. No more clearance problems trying to get a socket or wrench around the bolt. Works like a dream.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
Originally posted by BigRedBronc
BTW...you think you live in the snow belt...try New England for a while. Between salt air and salt on the roads, everything rusts.
I think my dog is rusting.
BTW...you think you live in the snow belt...try New England for a while. Between salt air and salt on the roads, everything rusts.
I think my dog is rusting.