Header question
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 41
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From: Columbia,S.C.
just to add my 2cents I have a set of pace setter headers "bought as the summit brand" and the flange to tube welds were so tall and bogger welded they leaked like crazy i even took a grinder to 'em smoothed em out and used copper crush gaskets and still had a leak at the back top corners of at least three cylinders. but maybe i just got a swag set.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
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I have used different brands of headers for different applications and I have found that the overall best value for the dollar is Hooker. They are usually somewhat tuned and made for a specific engine. Example they have different headers for the 302 engine than the 351, even though they could build a set for the 351 and sell it also to fit the 302. They won't do that. Also their workmanship is very good for mass produced products. There are better headers out there, but you will pay a big premium for them. You then have to ask yourself, Is it worth it to you to pay twice the price for a 5% gain? The quality I get for Hookers is well worth the price and they stand behind their products. At least they have for me.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Skandocious
Seems like the most popular (and with most success stories) performance mods on this forum include:
-free flowing exhaust (including hi-flow cats or no cats)
-K&N intake
-electric fan
-regearing the diffs
-roller rockers
-RV cam
-headers
Hope that helps!
-Chris
-free flowing exhaust (including hi-flow cats or no cats)
-K&N intake
-electric fan
-regearing the diffs
-roller rockers
-RV cam
-headers
Hope that helps!
-Chris
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by Hawk180
A good multi-spark ignition works wonders as well. I have realized a 3.5 mpg gain and quite a bit of torque by adding that to my truck. Accel makes a kit that is pretty much plug and play for about $250.00. You have to use resistor plugs though, the RF interference with copper plugs is too much for the stock EEC computer.
-Chris
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow,Ky.
Thanks for the answer guys, It looks like something should help some. I can live with 8to10 miles a gallon while I'm towing if I don't fall to 50 mph on the hills,and 70 top speed and that was with about 2500 pounds max behind me. This truck has 15000 miles on it(95 model) and the engine only about 3000, so I know its not tired.Its a 30 over 302 runs good and smooth seems peppy empty but the milage and pulling are not where I think they should be.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
so your saying that the engine is bored out etc. and your expecting mileage? lol.. last i checked except for certain few sports cars and sport sedans, most hipo trucks do not get very good fuel economy, there meant to use to work and be a tad more tuff than your standard car or suv.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow,Ky.
Thats my point, it is completly stock except for the bore, and the exhaust which is a 70 series flowmaster. I don't think that could be classified as hipo when its a 302. The truck is a 5 speed and on some hills I went all the way to 3rd gear on the interstate(not very steep hills) I may be expecting too much, but for the fuel it uses I would like a better return in power. I don't know what to compare it to except for my last truck and it falls way short of it in both. I guess what I'm hunting is it doing all its going to do or is something wrong?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
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Originally Posted by Skandocious
I ALMOST added that to my list, but there was a thread about it a couple days ago with a lot of guys mentioning that the multi-spark setup (MSD 6 Off-Road in this case) is pretty useless on a truck that isn't heavily modded. You're the 2nd person that I have seen on here that loves their multi-spark setup, versus about 15 guys that all said it was useless. Not saying you're wrong, just saying maybe its not worth the gamble for that amount of money. Glad it worked out for you!
-Chris
-Chris
Last edited by Hawk180; May 20, 2007 at 11:42 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by Hawk180
I went with the Accel system that is designed for the street with a stock or mildly modified engine. It is designed to produce spark over 20 degrees crankshaft rotation. It is also designed to work with and augment the stock computer. The Off-Road version from MSD would be useless on the street as it is designed for a racing application where the engine stays in a fairly narrow RPM band. I have used that system on oval track engines with good results, but I cannot imagine it working well on the street.
-Chris
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
My mileage went up about 4.5 mpg. The torque numbers I don't really know because I don't have access to a dyno. The greatest increase I noticed is on the bottom end from idle to about 2500 rpm. After than it does run smoother and has better throttle response, but the 351 runs well anyway. I don't really know how much faster the truck is as I don't run it on top end. I will say that it does pass much better and is smoother at highway speeds. It also pulls better.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Wow 4.5 mpg better?! Which part, where did you buy, and how much? I found this on summit, is this it??
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
You've got me intrigued now.
-Chris
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
You've got me intrigued now.
-Chris
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
Yeas that is the one. I also have the Hooker 6912-1hkr headers, a 3-inch inlet and outlet high flow cat and a 50 series Flowmaster muffler with 3 inch single exhaust. I am thinking of a set of roller rockers, but as I said, it gets into the "I want it 'cause I don't have one" attitude.