Which headers?
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
i had hedmans long tube on my 93 5.0 and i couldn't spin the tires before i had them on. now i can, well atleast one of them did, the truck picked up real nice off the line and in every gear, turned heads, fun to shift into neutral while coming to a light and revving up the truck next to you and taking off. of course they beat me in the long run though. i had it jacked up and all that. i beat a del sol and nissan tundra, some new chevys...some saturn tried to race me and i beat him. couldn't beat a navigator though. damn those guys. the muffler shop put them on and fashioned some glass packs dumpin out for about 300 bucks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
I would go with the bbk's over fms headers. gibson,jba,edelbrock and bassani are all great. the key is a thick header flange. the thicker it is the better seal you will have to the head. you go cheap in this department and it will bite ya. Long tubes produce better low end then shorties but are difficult to fit properly on most of our rigs. sure you can bend a tube or notch your frame but why? the shorties work just as good and sound great to.
also get some 1" header bolts. will help keep the headers torqued down properly
also get some 1" header bolts. will help keep the headers torqued down properly
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
the only headers ive ever had were hedman. next time i buy some im going to save up for the full bassani setup. hedmans will work fine and sound great. i read on here somewhere someone said that someone said "the worst header is better than any stock manifold" or something along the lines.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Mirroman, I don't see how. The question doesn't have an objective answer and there are more than two header manufacturers in the world. I wouldn't suggest either of the products mentioned from my experience either but when you get to researching what may work best for your project any additional input is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.
69ford99, I could probably just say hello here and most people would know my vote when it comes to headers and exhaust but as Kem aleady mentioned, the mounting flange quality/thickness is vital to a good-sealing set of headers. The thinner flanges that some manufacturers use are prone to warping under heat and torque which ruins the mating surface and hence the seal. Bassani and JBA use 3/8" flange material rahter than 1/4" like many others. There may be other manufacturers who use a 3/8' flange as well. Best to research this. Fitting long tube versions can be tricky especially since there is so much under the middle of the Bronco that makes getting the crossover or Y-pipe in a decent location very difficult. And, um, you NEED the crossover or Y-pipe!
69ford99, I could probably just say hello here and most people would know my vote when it comes to headers and exhaust but as Kem aleady mentioned, the mounting flange quality/thickness is vital to a good-sealing set of headers. The thinner flanges that some manufacturers use are prone to warping under heat and torque which ruins the mating surface and hence the seal. Bassani and JBA use 3/8" flange material rahter than 1/4" like many others. There may be other manufacturers who use a 3/8' flange as well. Best to research this. Fitting long tube versions can be tricky especially since there is so much under the middle of the Bronco that makes getting the crossover or Y-pipe in a decent location very difficult. And, um, you NEED the crossover or Y-pipe!
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I understand greysteak... I ordered the Hedman's for a couple of reasons. I am on a budget, and I really don't drive my Bronco all that much. So I didn't want to pour a bunch of money into it.
Now I am concerned that I didn't order the right ones. I know they will fit my 302, but I was hoping for shorties and it did not specify when ordering. Is the shorty standard???
Now I am concerned that I didn't order the right ones. I know they will fit my 302, but I was hoping for shorties and it did not specify when ordering. Is the shorty standard???
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I am looking at Hedman's right now on the Sumit web site. It appears they all have the 3/8" flange. I would say Mirroman made a good choice. Mirroman, what did you pay for them, I am now thinking I will buy some of these tool.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 1
From: Houston
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...earchType=Make
check out this web site, they are around 150, but after shipping I am sure it would be 175. does that price include shipping?
check out this web site, they are around 150, but after shipping I am sure it would be 175. does that price include shipping?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: VB. Virginia
Mirroman I've had Hedman headers on my 94 for about 3yrs. now, I haven't had the first problem. If you play in the mud a lot or live where the roads get salted down regularly I would go with the ceramic coating or stainless. If you ordered the painted headers, I would bead blast the paint off and paint with a good high heat paint before you install them, the paint on them is not high heat it's only to keep them from rusting and make them look pretty.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
dont even bother with the hi heat paint. just take them in to get ceramic coated. there may be a shop in your area that does that. the hi heat paint may or may not adhear properly and still burn or flake off. you almost need an oven to bake them after painting with that stuff. dont use the wifes though, you will sleep outside with the dogs for a month at least, then buy her a new oven to boot haha
