I have a '88 F-250 4x4 with a 460. I was wondering if anyone has headers on one of these. I am debating because good headers with thick flanges are around $700. Thanks for any input.

 

Headers did seem to make a difference on my truck. I don't know if I would spend that much in some though, but that's me. The thicker flanges also help stop the heat/cool cycle so your gaskets will last longer. But you also have to finish all the rest of the systems redone to make a difference.

 

700 bucks?!?!?! from where, the lanl's are about half that price, coated inside and out, and 14 gauge tubes and huge flanges...i love mine

and yes, headers are worth it if you buy a good set

 

700.00 what ??????? summitracing sells them for 120.00

 

frdmike- What are you expecting from installing headers?
Also- That seems really steep, are these some extreme/special headers?

Ford Truck Racer- Care to define the difference headers made on your truck?

 

KenB, I have a modified engine, heads/cam/and other bits. I could tell the difference of the extra flow and better response. True on a stock engine they won't make such a difference, but in my case it is noticable.

 

Exactly my point. Headers will make some difference if the 'moving' parts are matched, the engine will need to breath more/better.
On stock engines headers alone can be an adverse add-on. There needs to be some resistance in the air flow.

As with any add-on (engine alteration etc) it's a matter of what is the expected result and/or is it something the owner just wants.

frdmike- The way you asked your original question makes it sound like you expect the headers to do something you can measure as a positive benefit for you/your truck.
I'd say probably not much if anything at all, especially if what you've picked for headers cost $700. Are you sure of that price?

Often when headers on put on the rest of the exhaust system is changed out too. Larger pipes, duels, muffler and/or cat change, etc.
Even when doing that, frequently the only real change is the tone/sound of the exhaust. Some will say it will rev higher/quicker.
That might be true, but along with that is an increase in fuel bill because it's really difficult to keep your foot 'out of it' cause it sounds so good. This is not measureable as a good thing with the price of fuel today.

 

The price was off a little but not much $580.69 plus shipping. They are Thorley Tri-Y Headers with a Y pipe. I need this to keep my catalytic converter for NYS inspection. All of the headers for a fuel injected 460 are expensive. I have leaks on my current exhaust manifolds because of warping and it drives me nuts. I've had these manifolds milled flat and it lasted a while but the leaks are starting again. Thanks

 

you are looking at a very good brand in doug thorley. But isn't there other brands that arent crazy expensive? You can have y-pipes made too eh? And also the cat can be anywhere underneath the truck.

 

"There needs to be some resistance in the air flow."

LOL, no...

Headers = better flow. Better flow/velocity = better cylinder evacuation of spent gasses, which means more room for the incoming air/fuel charge and less dillution of said charge from spent gasses. Which means more power/fuel economy when driven right. Usually, the engine will actually run a little cooler, will definately pull better and will make a difference in 99.9% of all gas engines from the factory.

Factory manifolds are meant to be cheap, quiet and easy to install at the factory. There is no performance involved, except for certain situations, and even then headers will still flow better. I will agree to a point about matching parts though.

ANY resistance means the opposite of above. Velocity is a good thing, and can be used to tune for certain driving styles. Backpressure and resistance, is not. Dont believe the old wives tales.

Please show me proof of a situation where headers can be an adverse add-on. Not " I have a friend who has a friend who claims that.....", show me proof.

 

Laugh at yourself, if there needs to be proof, maybe you should be the one to supply it. It wasn't the old wives that came up with this determination.
As it turns out, frdmike doesn't seem concerned with any preformance issues, he just wants headers that aren't prone to leakage.

 

the next best thing i learned is to use larger pipes and a aero -turbine muffler you will get almost the same performance if not better then headers

 

hmm, I just commented on your baseless point about needing resistance and thats all I get in return? Dyno sheets all over the internet will prove my point about exhaust velocity and headers in regards to power. Where is your proof about needing resistance? If thats true, weld on a cover with a 1" hole on your exhaust. That should make huge power

Im done, believe what you want.

 

lol, im gonna agree with you here kens64. I dont know where ppl get the idea that backpressure is a good thing. If thats true, i got an old plugged cat im willing to sell.

 

kens64, I never said anything about reducing the size of the exhaust pipe, you've created that on your own.

My point is that your idea that aftermarket headers are always better and/or lead to better engine performance, and the fact that you think there should be no resistance is just wrong.

You suggested I could restrict pipes down to 1", I don't need that experiment thank you. On the opposite end of that how about you take off headers and pipes (completely unrestricted right) and see how well your engine performs. Besides the noise, it's going to get really hot real quick, your mpg is going down, etc. Point= neither is correct.

My point is that headers alone will not automatically insure any gains of any kind, and their size needs to be part of a matched fuel intake/delivery/exhaust team of parts.
Folks that spend money on headers and/or exhaust systems alone and expect some real gain are in for disappointments.

Matched balanced systems are what is needed for true performance increase, not just hanging on a part or two.