Header Recommendations Anyone?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Custer, WA
Header Recommendations Anyone?
I am needing to replace the exhaust manifold on my '86 300, and thought perhaps headers might be a good alternative. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips before I look into the actual purchase?
The truck was given to me, so putting a bit of money into it is not a real issue, but I believe, with gas prices the way they are going, any little bit of performance help is in order.
Thanks,
RhainyC
The truck was given to me, so putting a bit of money into it is not a real issue, but I believe, with gas prices the way they are going, any little bit of performance help is in order.
Thanks,
RhainyC
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Any performance gains with the headers would be negligable. That's because Ford really did a good job when they came up with the EFI manifolds.
(Don't we wish we could say that kind of thing more often!)
(Don't we wish we could say that kind of thing more often!)
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Nashville
I've been running a stock EFI exhaust manifold and Y pipe setup with a moderately built carbed 300 and it runs great. About to have a very strong, built 300 and am keeping the EFI exhaust as-is with the exception of port matching the manifolds to the head. You'd have to do tons of other engine mods [hotter cam, head work, etc] to get any benefit from headers, and even than on an EFI motor gains would be tiny. Just get another set of stock manifolds from your favorite boneyard or off eBay.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I can speak from experience I have run both EFI and am currently a Hedman Hedder on my 84 F150 4x4. The EFI exhaust is a huge improvement in mileage and performance compared to the stock log that came on there. I noticed even more performance and mileage when I went to the header. My 300 is mildly modded (Offy intake, Holley 2300 2bbl, .040 over, RV cam, MSD Blaster coil, K&N air filter, header), it pulls strong to 4000 rpm in 2nd gear...I can bark the tires going into 3rd gear! I wouldn't run true duals with glasspacks, unless you want it to sound like a pissed off bumble bee. I currently am running a 40 series Flowmaster with 2.5" single and 2.25" duals with 3.5" tips. It sounds nice, but I am going to a Magnaflow with 2.5" single...my buddy is running this on his Jeep with a 4.0 inline six and it sounds wicked 
! The EFI might be cheaper depending on how you aquire the necessary parts, I got my Hedman from Jegs for $160... it was well worth the time and money spent 
! The EFI might be cheaper depending on how you aquire the necessary parts, I got my Hedman from Jegs for $160... it was well worth the time and money spent
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
EFI truck owners on this site have not reported significant gains with headers in the absence of some head work and camshaft upgrades.
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Postmaster
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Originally Posted by Bdox
EFI truck owners on this site have not reported significant gains with headers in the absence of some head work and camshaft upgrades.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
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From: Broken Arrow, OK
Originally Posted by Bdox
EFI truck owners on this site have not reported significant gains with headers in the absence of some head work and camshaft upgrades.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Originally Posted by Silver Streak
WHAT?!?!? How many people in here have headers on their EFI 300? Headers are much better than the stock EFI manifolds. I don't remember ever seeing anyone but me that had a stock EFI engine with headers. I would estimate that I gained at least 20 hp and 30 ft-lbs when I put the headers on. The dyno sheet is in my gallery. There is a lot more there. The head can't flow enough above 3000 rpm to keep up with the exhaust.
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From: Broken Arrow, OK
Hedman, Hooker, Pacesetter, Dynomax, and probably any other mainstream header builder. You will need to relocate your oxygen sensors and other things to make them work. All the needed changes have been covered. A search should turn up the info you want.
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New User
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From: Custer, WA
Ok I am a bit behind in things, EFI = Electronic Fuel Injection yes? If so, I don't have that option at this time. The truck has the stock 1bbl carb on it, and not fuel injection.
So, having clarified this point, would the headers relieve the cracked exhaust manifold issue with the least amount of effort, or... should I just go ahead and replace the manifold with a stock one?
Sorry I was not more clear on this before...as I said am a bit rusty on mechanical things these days...old age creeping in.
Many Thanks,
RhainyC
So, having clarified this point, would the headers relieve the cracked exhaust manifold issue with the least amount of effort, or... should I just go ahead and replace the manifold with a stock one?
Sorry I was not more clear on this before...as I said am a bit rusty on mechanical things these days...old age creeping in.
Many Thanks,
RhainyC
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
OK, a little confusion there because in 86, some trucks have efi and some are carbs. So if your truck has the carb, you will get an improvement with headers or the efi exhaust manifolds.
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