Header Questions
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Header Questions
I was snooping around Summit's website today and stumbled across a set of Summit Shorty Headers for an 87-96 5.0L F-150. The price isn't real bad; Only $150. Here's the link: Painted Steel Headers
Or, for $150 more, I could get the Ford Racing Stainless Steel Shorty headers for the same truck. Here's the link: Stainless Steel Headers
I guess my main question is: If I went with the painted steel headers, how long should I expect them to survive under "normal" conditions? I at least want to make sure that I can get my money's worth out of them.
I suspect that the stainless steel headers would be the best choice, as a feller wouldn't have to worry about buying another set. But, I just don't know if I want to blow the extra dough.
What do you fellers think?
Nightrain
Or, for $150 more, I could get the Ford Racing Stainless Steel Shorty headers for the same truck. Here's the link: Stainless Steel Headers
I guess my main question is: If I went with the painted steel headers, how long should I expect them to survive under "normal" conditions? I at least want to make sure that I can get my money's worth out of them.
I suspect that the stainless steel headers would be the best choice, as a feller wouldn't have to worry about buying another set. But, I just don't know if I want to blow the extra dough.
What do you fellers think?
Nightrain
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
If they have dynomometer results showing a significant improvement in HP or economy with the "shorty" headers, look elsewhere. Shorty headers are rarely of much benefit unless you have a cracked manifold and the "shorty" headers save you some money over a new manifold. Look for headers that advertise a proven benefit, or keep your money.
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
They have the long tubes for my truck, but I'm not sure if I want to go through all the trouble of having a custom Y-Pipe made and running extra pipe, and the unmentionables like relocating the O2 sensor, etc. I'd just rather bolt-up and go.
But, I see your point.
Nightrain
But, I see your point.
Nightrain
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From: Texas
If your interested, at the Sanderson headers tech page they have test results that state the shortie headers have better torque to about 4200 rpm where the long tubes make a big jump up to about 5000 rpm where they stay about the same untill about 5500 rpm where the long tubes have a bit of a gain from then on and shorties have better HP up to about 4400 rpm where the long tubes get better HP from then on. I guess it depends on how you want to drive it.
They also have an artical on small tubes vs large tubes and at the left of the page they have an artical about a set of headers they say won't leak at the heads because of the new flange design.
If nothing else, it's worth checking out.
They also have an artical on small tubes vs large tubes and at the left of the page they have an artical about a set of headers they say won't leak at the heads because of the new flange design.
If nothing else, it's worth checking out.
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From: Norman, OK
Originally Posted by Nightrain
Sounds like a winner...
How'd the paint hold up? Any rust yet?
Thanks for the post!
Nightrain
How'd the paint hold up? Any rust yet?
Thanks for the post!
Nightrain
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Brett Foote
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by Bdox
If they have dynomometer results showing a significant improvement in HP or economy with the "shorty" headers, look elsewhere. Shorty headers are rarely of much benefit unless you have a cracked manifold and the "shorty" headers save you some money over a new manifold. Look for headers that advertise a proven benefit, or keep your money.
Sorry
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Thanks for the responses, fellas. If I go with headers, these will be the ones.
One more question for ya though, mike 2112...
How hard are they to put on? (i.e. Have to pull inner fenders? etc.?)
They almost HAVE to provide better flow than the manifolds... The long tubes MIGHT be a bit better, but in my opinion, they're not worth the extra trouble. Not for me, anyway...
I guess I'll have to upgrade my spark plug wires, also... Are the plugs a pain to get to once the headers are installed?
Thanks again, ya'll!
Nightrain
One more question for ya though, mike 2112...
How hard are they to put on? (i.e. Have to pull inner fenders? etc.?)
They almost HAVE to provide better flow than the manifolds... The long tubes MIGHT be a bit better, but in my opinion, they're not worth the extra trouble. Not for me, anyway...
I guess I'll have to upgrade my spark plug wires, also... Are the plugs a pain to get to once the headers are installed?
Thanks again, ya'll!
Nightrain
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 143
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From: Norman, OK
Originally Posted by Nightrain
Thanks for the responses, fellas. If I go with headers, these will be the ones.
One more question for ya though, mike 2112...
How hard are they to put on? (i.e. Have to pull inner fenders? etc.?)
They almost HAVE to provide better flow than the manifolds... The long tubes MIGHT be a bit better, but in my opinion, they're not worth the extra trouble. Not for me, anyway...
I guess I'll have to upgrade my spark plug wires, also... Are the plugs a pain to get to once the headers are installed?
Thanks again, ya'll!
Nightrain
One more question for ya though, mike 2112...
How hard are they to put on? (i.e. Have to pull inner fenders? etc.?)
They almost HAVE to provide better flow than the manifolds... The long tubes MIGHT be a bit better, but in my opinion, they're not worth the extra trouble. Not for me, anyway...
I guess I'll have to upgrade my spark plug wires, also... Are the plugs a pain to get to once the headers are installed?
Thanks again, ya'll!
Nightrain
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I've already got the exhaust mod on hand... 
An "off-road" (converter-less) custom-made Y-Pipe and a Cherry Bomb glasspack that'll dump out right under the passenger's booty... Can't wait to hear it rumble with the headers!
Thanks for all of the advice, Mike2112!!
Nightrain
An "off-road" (converter-less) custom-made Y-Pipe and a Cherry Bomb glasspack that'll dump out right under the passenger's booty... Can't wait to hear it rumble with the headers!
Thanks for all of the advice, Mike2112!!
Nightrain
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
BTW, did you use the bolts that came with the header kit, or buy a different set?
They show a set on the site that says they're "locking" header bolts, but I'm not sure if they'll do the trick...
Nightrain
They show a set on the site that says they're "locking" header bolts, but I'm not sure if they'll do the trick...
Nightrain
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From: Norman, OK
Originally Posted by Nightrain
BTW, did you use the bolts that came with the header kit, or buy a different set?
They show a set on the site that says they're "locking" header bolts, but I'm not sure if they'll do the trick...
Nightrain
They show a set on the site that says they're "locking" header bolts, but I'm not sure if they'll do the trick...
Nightrain