are headers worth it?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
justshootme is wrong, you gain power . anyone who thinks they dont needs to be shot lol jk .. and you dont have to spend a grand to have a nice exhaust system. just shop around and do your home work. people that complain about headers leaking either bought *****ty headers or crappy gaskets, didnt install them correctly with proper bolt down sequence or just have no experience with them at all. I had headers that were summits cheapies , they did leak but that was due to a bad set. I know have jba's that are way better in quality and with good gaskets 1" bolts and some patience and you easily gave yourself a good HP/TQ gain. you can wrap your starter to protect it from heat or buy a fancy starter . you can also get ceramic coated headers that take out 70% of the heat normal headers put out. Headers are a dyno proven mod period.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I'll disagree with him. 
When your pistons are pushing +300 PSI of air out the exhaust port the less restriction it has throughout the exhaust means the less power lost trying to push it out! (Hope that made sense). I think basically, from my own experience and from what others have said, headers are a good choice, provided you get a GOOD QUALITY pair. As far as leaks go I would imagine you want to look for quality again - better quality probably better/flatter machined surface. Leaks should not happen if you invest in some good gaskets. I'm a big fan of the annealed copper gaskets, but thats just me, I'm sure everyone could tell you what works best according to them. If there is a big problem with heat and your starter, get ceramic coated headers, header wrap (altough I hear that cause warping) or make your own little heat shield around the starter? 
I imagine if you will be pleased with the final result, especially if you redo your entire exhaust. Best of Luck!! 
When your pistons are pushing +300 PSI of air out the exhaust port the less restriction it has throughout the exhaust means the less power lost trying to push it out! (Hope that made sense). I think basically, from my own experience and from what others have said, headers are a good choice, provided you get a GOOD QUALITY pair. As far as leaks go I would imagine you want to look for quality again - better quality probably better/flatter machined surface. Leaks should not happen if you invest in some good gaskets. I'm a big fan of the annealed copper gaskets, but thats just me, I'm sure everyone could tell you what works best according to them. If there is a big problem with heat and your starter, get ceramic coated headers, header wrap (altough I hear that cause warping) or make your own little heat shield around the starter? I imagine if you will be pleased with the final result, especially if you redo your entire exhaust. Best of Luck!!
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Maine
again thanks guys,
i've talked my soon to be fiance into buying these for me as a trade off.
i told her to get me a decent watch when i go and dish out the cash for her ring, but screw it, my truck is more important to me than some damn watch!!!
i've talked my soon to be fiance into buying these for me as a trade off.
i told her to get me a decent watch when i go and dish out the cash for her ring, but screw it, my truck is more important to me than some damn watch!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: SE Texas
O.K., for you doubters out there, I will quote from the Edelbrock catalog directly. Horsepower gain from headers may be as much as 8 to 10 HP from shorty headers alone. What good does it do to put on a set, but leave the restrictive stock intake alone??? If you address that as well as the heads and the rest of he exhaust system, then you might start to see some improvement. I've had headers on several vehicles I've owned because I think they help gas mileage a tad, but they have always given headaches in one form or another. Yes, you can get a good set of headers that may be better than the regular ones of the past, but I would rather spend that money on the motor itself. Justmytwocents.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Just my two cents worth...
I use the JBA headers, but agree with the "You get what you pay for""
You can substitute copper gaskets immediately upon purchase, and add a special 5/16 head header bolt that makes it a lot easier to get to. Good headers, with copper gaskets generally don't leak, and stay tight. The smaller head bolts are just as strong and much easier to get to when necessary.
Later.
I use the JBA headers, but agree with the "You get what you pay for""
You can substitute copper gaskets immediately upon purchase, and add a special 5/16 head header bolt that makes it a lot easier to get to. Good headers, with copper gaskets generally don't leak, and stay tight. The smaller head bolts are just as strong and much easier to get to when necessary.
Later.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: Fredericton NB, Canada
I just installed 5.0 Mustang headers on my 5.8. along with a custom built 2.5" y-pipe and 2.5' in 2.5" out y pipe collector connected to the stock system until (hopefully) the gfriend makes good with my christmas wish of a cat back system. Even with the fron half done I can notice a HUGE difference. Definately worth it.
-Matt
-Matt
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