which headers
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
which headers
i have an '04 lightning, and I am looking to buy some long tube headers. I hear alot of people talking about kooks being very good, unfortunately very expensive. Basically I am looking for quality, dependable headers that won't burn a whole in my pocket. i have looked at various sponsor sites but some don't specify if they are long tube or not. Any preferences you guys have would be greatly appreciated.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 71
From: Calhoun GA
I think Summit sells a set (painted) for under $300. A friend of of mine installed a set on his 02 F-150 5.4 reg cab 2wd pickup about 6 months ago and they work well. We stripped and repainted them though because the paint they come with would've burnt off within the first couple of weeks. I welded a set of 3" 3 hole flanges to the headers and welded up a 3" exhaust for it as well and no probs thus far.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
thanks for the input, does it really matter if they are long-tubed or shorty's, i have found a lot of shorty's but not too many long-tubed, i remembered in someone else's post talking about how long tubed headers were better but i am having trouble finding it, any body have a particular favorite brand that they like to use?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
The first thing you need to figure out is whay you want long tubes over something like the Bassani equal length headers.
Is it for sound? Or is it because you're going to be running so much power you need the long tubes?
Also, does your area require emissions testing that would cause you to fail if you have long tubes?
Now this last statement I'm gonna make is subjective, so take it with a grain of salt because it's just my opinion, but if you don't get a long tube, then the only other header you should only consider is Bassani. Anything else I've heard on the Lightning sucks, and I love JBA headers, but they don't sound as good on the L for some reason. But like I said, that's all subjective.
Another thing, if you want quality and dependability, then you're going to pay for it, period. These company's making the exhaust products charge a mint for quality setups for the L. For example, JLP in conjunction with Bassani has just come out with a complete long tube setup, headers to tips, and the price tag is $2,399 IIRC.
Not cheap.
Stewart
Is it for sound? Or is it because you're going to be running so much power you need the long tubes?
Also, does your area require emissions testing that would cause you to fail if you have long tubes?
Now this last statement I'm gonna make is subjective, so take it with a grain of salt because it's just my opinion, but if you don't get a long tube, then the only other header you should only consider is Bassani. Anything else I've heard on the Lightning sucks, and I love JBA headers, but they don't sound as good on the L for some reason. But like I said, that's all subjective.
Another thing, if you want quality and dependability, then you're going to pay for it, period. These company's making the exhaust products charge a mint for quality setups for the L. For example, JLP in conjunction with Bassani has just come out with a complete long tube setup, headers to tips, and the price tag is $2,399 IIRC.
Not cheap.
Stewart
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
thanks stewart, to answer your question, as far as i know my area doesn't have emissions testing, i used to have a 2dr tahoe with flowmasters, headers (don't know which brand they came with the truck), and no cats and never had any problem. i guess the headers will be more for sound than power. i have a k&n intake system and a diablo predator chip with magnaflow exhaust. i have no problem dropping $700-800 dollars on headers, but the kooks i looked at were ~$1400 and that was a little pricey for me. anyway, thanks everyone for the opinions
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by so9956
i guess the headers will be more for sound than power.
A buddy of mine had a built engine with stage 2 heads and stage 2 1/2 cams from LFP with long tubes, no cats, and a Bassani cat-back and it sounded freaking mean and lopy at idle. Reminded me of an old school muscle car!
Stewart
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
good deal, this may seem like a dumb question because i am a newbie, but with long tubes can you still run cats or they have to be removed, i only ask because where i am planning on getting them installed may not remove the cats
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 71
From: Calhoun GA
Originally Posted by S_Harvey
..... For example, JLP in conjunction with Bassani has just come out with a complete long tube setup, headers to tips, and the price tag is $2,399 IIRC.
Not cheap.
Stewart
Not cheap.
Stewart
And I thought my Pickrel system was pricy ($1100). I'm glad I own a GEN 1!
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
headers
I have a set of Dynatech 304 S. S. long tube headers with high flow S.S. cats that bolt right in my H. D. at about $1,200. With K&N, 12 pis boost predor chip,with factory exhaust the sond is soft until the punched then wild.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Originally Posted by Blurry94
And I thought my Pickrel system was pricy ($1100). I'm glad I own a GEN 1!
My JBA headers only cost me a few hundred way back when!
A few hundred might buy me one header nowdays for the Gen 2 I have.
Stewart