Headers? Chip? ...? 302 Upgrade
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
Long tube headers fit ok up around the engine, but they hang down low underneath, and you have to run the exhaust under the tranny to the passenger side and bring it up along the frame, or run it under the frame on both sides and then bring it up along the rocker panel and out in front of the rear tires. It's a little bit messy looking.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Long tube headers fit ok up around the engine, but they hang down low underneath, and you have to run the exhaust under the tranny to the passenger side and bring it up along the frame, or run it under the frame on both sides and then bring it up along the rocker panel and out in front of the rear tires. It's a little bit messy looking.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Well,if it was 94' and up then the computer won't take well to the after market parts.But since it's only a 86' you shouldn't have much trouble with the computer.Those were still OBD 1,I believe it went to OBD 2 in 94 or so.That's when it started getting harder to add after market parts and keeping those check engine lights off.If you do have to replace gaskets though,get as close to factory gaskets as you can.EFI engines don't take to well to after after market gasket to well,they tend to eat them right up.Carbed engine work well with after market gaskets though.
Just a little bit of advice.
Just a little bit of advice.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Dover, OK
I think the name is Herman's cams, not for sure though, the guy redoing it is gettin it for me. By the way after boring 4 cylinders found out #3 was cracked all the way through, but he sold me a 302 HO block for $150 so we go forward with the build
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
If I put a cam in, bolt up headers, and maybe a set of '87 and up heads I might just be spinning my wheels. First, I should probably replace the SD system. That would mean either converting to a MAF system, or putting a carb on it. A carburetor combo from Summit is about $400 with a 4 barrel intake and a 600 cfm edelbrock. But, that set up would impose many problems like throttle linkage, fuel sending system, and not to mention all the electronics. However, the MAF conversion kit is costly... What to do...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
WoW... so much bad info in this thread... where do I start.
I have put longtubes on both my 4x4 F150s, 5.0 and 5.8 motors... they install easily and clear everything, and don't hang as low as the TTB trailing arms, so they won't make ground clearance any worse. The key it to use truck specific headers.. not mustang headers. Duals on a 4x4 is more difficult, impossible with dual tanks unless you run it outside the frame or down the passenger side, there is no performance gain over a good single and it's more expensive to build than a single... so why bother.
There is no need to convert to mass air to upgrade the cam, just use an SD friendly cam and the computer will remain happy and the motor will make more power.
I have put longtubes on both my 4x4 F150s, 5.0 and 5.8 motors... they install easily and clear everything, and don't hang as low as the TTB trailing arms, so they won't make ground clearance any worse. The key it to use truck specific headers.. not mustang headers. Duals on a 4x4 is more difficult, impossible with dual tanks unless you run it outside the frame or down the passenger side, there is no performance gain over a good single and it's more expensive to build than a single... so why bother.
There is no need to convert to mass air to upgrade the cam, just use an SD friendly cam and the computer will remain happy and the motor will make more power.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Excellent! Thank you for the advice. Long tubes are cheaper, so that's good. What kind of gains am I looking at with an SD friendly cam, and a pair of long tube headers? A total of about $300 or so...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mybadford
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
23
Sep 28, 2010 11:45 AM
