Are Headers Worth It?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,955
Likes: 591
From: Greater Austin, Texas
OK, I have to eat my words, sort of. Seems there is a bit of an argument either way. Doug Thorley (where I got my info from) says long tubes are for mid-to-high RPM use. That was my experience with my 302, but at the time (this was around 1992) it was the only header made for my truck that I could afford. The Thorley Tri-Y was out of my price range. But "Headers by Ed" says long tubes are for low-to-mid range RPM. Probably the truth is that the tube size has more effect than the length, but that's another story. It seems the truth is not as cut-and-dried as I thought in any case. But my truck definitely suffered on the low-end but would really haul the mail over 3K (I mean compared to stock, not blowing Mustangs off the road or anything like that). When I went back to stock manifolds my low-end returned.
http://www.dougthorleyheaders.com/tech.php
https://www.headersbyed.com/bildbetr.htm
http://www.dougthorleyheaders.com/tech.php
https://www.headersbyed.com/bildbetr.htm
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
Seat of the pants I could feel I definately had improved torque but the MAF conversion was a more profound improvement.
Some day I'll work on the intake and heads then I'll probably go full length headers.
I've heard both ways regarding header length too but I'm sure it's more a matter of tuning with regard to overall flow in and out.
Some day I'll work on the intake and heads then I'll probably go full length headers.
I've heard both ways regarding header length too but I'm sure it's more a matter of tuning with regard to overall flow in and out.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Michigan
I put SS shortie headers from Ford Racing on my totally stock 92", 302, SWB,4X4, E4od and have had no problem with them at all. Seems as though their quality was as good as some of the more expensive headers i'd looked into.
However, they wouldn't mate to my stock Y-pipe like they said they would, and I had to put a small dimple in one tube for a spark plug socket to clear.
I removed the rear cat (one of two) and had an adapter made to accept the 2-1/2" intake of my "Flomaster 50 series" single 2-1/2 in and dual 2-1/4 out fitted to exit just in front of the rear tire as on the Nite. My local muffler shop refit the Y to the headers and supplied the pipe for the adapter, tails, clamps and all welded in place for 150.00. I supplied the muffler, and installed the headers.
I did notice an improved lower mid, but my MPG went down about 1-1/2 to 2 mpg (18 to 16) highway. I guess the decrease in backpressure is the cause, I do like the sound and added umph though!
Thats my experience
However, they wouldn't mate to my stock Y-pipe like they said they would, and I had to put a small dimple in one tube for a spark plug socket to clear.
I removed the rear cat (one of two) and had an adapter made to accept the 2-1/2" intake of my "Flomaster 50 series" single 2-1/2 in and dual 2-1/4 out fitted to exit just in front of the rear tire as on the Nite. My local muffler shop refit the Y to the headers and supplied the pipe for the adapter, tails, clamps and all welded in place for 150.00. I supplied the muffler, and installed the headers.
I did notice an improved lower mid, but my MPG went down about 1-1/2 to 2 mpg (18 to 16) highway. I guess the decrease in backpressure is the cause, I do like the sound and added umph though!
Thats my experience
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: St. Pete, Fl.
Lumpy87,
"Seat of the pants I could feel I definately had improved torque but the MAF conversion was a more profound improvement."
Did this improve your low-med range as well? Ford Racing or some aftermarket setup?
Should I be talking about this on some other thread? Thanks.
"Seat of the pants I could feel I definately had improved torque but the MAF conversion was a more profound improvement."
Did this improve your low-med range as well? Ford Racing or some aftermarket setup?
Should I be talking about this on some other thread? Thanks.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 4
From: Grayling, MI
I put the FRPP stainless shorties on my 5.8 in my 95 F 350 about three years ago. They were the cheapest option I could find for the F 350. Summit had shorties for the lower GVW trucks, but I needed headers that would accept the air injection tube across the back of the engine. They were just over $300 and were cheaper than replacement manifolds from NAPA. They fit great and have never leaked. I had the engine out to replace the oil pan (which I think they were made from compressed rust to start with) and both of the manifolds came off in two pieces. Didn't really notice any power increase though.
Steve
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Murfreesboro, TN
I keep looking at headers for my '88 but cannot decide between shortys or go long tubes. Even though I live in metro Nash-hell (emission ***** rule here
), I have the truck registered back home where there are no emission laws. Anyone had experience with the Hedman Elite series headers or Flowtech?
), I have the truck registered back home where there are no emission laws. Anyone had experience with the Hedman Elite series headers or Flowtech?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Michigan
Has anyone encountered metal fatigue in the long tubes ? Seems as though the length would be a problem over time, with the thinner metal and vibrations and if the cast iron cracks in 100k miles or thereabouts. Just curious.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
long tube header can cause some fitment issues and if you ever plan on going with an SAS they wont work at all. Shortys have really come along way in design , the BBK headers have one of the largest collectors at close to 2 3/4" so if you running some power they work very well. get ceramic coated if you can this helps in many ways
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by Kemicalburns
long tube header can cause some fitment issues and if you ever plan on going with an SAS they wont work at all.
Curious... what is a SAS?
Flowtechs on my truck are comming up on 7yrs old now. Ceramic coated longtubes are still holding in there.. better than the aftermarket cat I have which has cracked at the input flange... sonofabiach!!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
I think part of the problem I had at first with gasket leaks was with the gasket that came with my Flowtech shorties. They were really thick which altered the distance the y pipe had to span forcing the headers to angle in and open a gap on top of the flange. It also made for less thread contact on the bolts.
Equal length headers are probably the best way to go long or shortie. I went cheap and wasn't really looking for performance. I just wanted to quiet it down under the hood.
There are tons of threads on MAF conversion. Opinions vary but for me it was money well spent. Performance seems to have improved at all RPM ranges mostly due to way, way better throttle response. I also got a welcome, but not drastic, improvement in low end torque. Compared to speed density it's night and day. I can't say my mileage has improved since my driving has become more aggressive.
Some of the improvement may have been from upgrades that didn't really manifest until the MAF conversion and since headers can improve Air Flow it stands to reason MAF will help get even more out of it.
Equal length headers are probably the best way to go long or shortie. I went cheap and wasn't really looking for performance. I just wanted to quiet it down under the hood.
There are tons of threads on MAF conversion. Opinions vary but for me it was money well spent. Performance seems to have improved at all RPM ranges mostly due to way, way better throttle response. I also got a welcome, but not drastic, improvement in low end torque. Compared to speed density it's night and day. I can't say my mileage has improved since my driving has become more aggressive.
Some of the improvement may have been from upgrades that didn't really manifest until the MAF conversion and since headers can improve Air Flow it stands to reason MAF will help get even more out of it.
Last edited by Lumpy87; Dec 5, 2006 at 05:20 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 893
Likes: 8
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
if you do headers you need to either have no cat or a high flow cat and a cat back system.
I have on my 92 302 f-150 BBK headers custom made y-pipes no cat and true duals out the sides with glass packs. big power and sound difference and it was good
I have on my 92 302 f-150 BBK headers custom made y-pipes no cat and true duals out the sides with glass packs. big power and sound difference and it was good