I have a cracked exhaust manifold and looking to replace it with a set of headers. I have narrowed it down to the BBK or the Flowtech shortys. Looking for any input from anyone that has installed these.

Thanks,




1991 F150 Ext cab
5.0L engine
single High Flow Catco Cat
Gibson 3" swept side exhaust

 

I'm running BBK shorties on my truck and like them alot. It's well worth the money to buy them or any brand that offers a ceramic coating. I'm also using Earl's header seals instead of header gaskets and for the worry free blown gasket problem I'm using Stage 8 header lock bolts that I got from Summit Racing. Hope any of this info helps.

Warr

 

I have Flowtech shorties. and I like them. They seem to seal to the head good. Next set I get will be coated though. mine are getting rusty.

 

BBK offers the biggest collector in a shorty 1 5/8" compared to 1 3/8". I got my BBK chrome plated for $211 shipped to me. the flange and gauge of the steel is pretty much all the same 3/8" flange 14 gauge steel

 

Do headers really make that much of a difference?

 

Headers can help to scavenge or "pull" exhaust out of the cylinders by their design. Alone a set of headers will not do a whole lot except give you a punchier sound, but when added to a whole new exhaust, an increased intake capacity, etc - the headers begin to allow for good growth. They're like any performance mod. Alone their effectiveness is minimal, but throw 2 or 3 mods together with it and you begin to see a synergistic increase in performance between the parts.

If you do headers and your exhaust, you'll need to increase the intake capacity somehow. Free flowing filter, large diameter intake, cooler intake air charge, all these would be good. A new intake manifold would do a bit to help out as well, but then you're getting into some money.

 

BBK's have definately been a better quality header from what I've seen. I had a bad experience w/ fitment of the Flowtechs on a Dodge (JBA's fit perfectly after I gave up and sent the Flows back). Welds left a lot to be desired as well on most (not all) Flowtechs I've seen.