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I remember hearing something about how exhaust headers oftentimes cause the starter motors to fail frequently - as in a lot. Why is that, my understanding is that it is heat related, but why are headers so much hotter than stock exhaust ports?
Another question, would the exhaust system on a 2000 Ranger be totally incompatible with a custom exhaust system? Would the computer have to be re-calibrated?
Headers don't run any hotter than stock exhaust manifolds, the header tubes just run a lot closer to the starter, transferring more heat to the starter.
Did you have to re-tune the computer or do work on the engine to get the headers to work? I'm just wondering if things like oxygen sensors no longer function as expected.
The headers helped the topend, where the 4.0 was lacking, it's tuned for mid range power, but the bama chips programer made the headers and other mods come alive. If you only do 1 mod to your truck, it should be the bama. It's the one mod that you can really feel the difference, even on a stock motor, it's money well spent. That was my 2 favorite mods, the bama, and headers, the catback makes it rumble, the intake makes it whoosh, but the headers gave it some topend power, and the bama gave it some seat of the pants power through out the entire rpm range, also saw some improvement in mpg, it depends on how much you romp it with the new found power ha ha. www.bama chips.com, you won't be sorry.
How do those chip things work? Are you actually replacing the chips in the computer or simply reprogramming the system? I didn't see anything like that on the page except for a programming device.
It's a hand held programer, you plug it into your computer port, push a few buttons and your done, it takes about 5 minutes. Chips are becomming a thing of the past, programers allow you to do so much more compared to a chip, like correct speedo when changing gears or tires, down load new programs. It's not complicated, the programer asks you a few questions, you push the yes, or no buttons, and call it a day. it's that simple, just as easy to return it back to stock.
Headers do radiate more heat into the engine compartment than stock cast manifolds. They have more surface area and transfer the heat of the exhaust more readily due to the thinner material.
Older starters had problems with heat soaking, which in turn would significantly increase the amount of current required to turn the starter. Smaller mini-starters, which use gear reduction to provide a greater amount of starting torque in a smaller package, avoid this obviously through their smaller size, which keeps them further away from the headers and also because the permanent magnet design requires less power to turn in the first place.
If your truck already has a mini-starter, then there's probably no need to worry.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
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