302 Headers
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD
302 Headers
My truck is an '86 F150 with a 302 efi. I did research and learned that cam, heads, headers upgrades wont add much power unless the efi system is replaced with a carb set up, or a MAF sensor set up. Well, I found a sweet pair of Hooker Competition headers on Summit for about $370. They are tuned headers with 1 5/8" primary tubes and a 3" collector. And, they are shorties that will bolt to the factory, (or in my case, aftermarket) downpipes for 4x4 clearance, ground clearance, and easier installation. Would this be a good purchase? Or would I be better off putting a 4 barrel carb on it, or a MAF system?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
I would not convert to carb. The headers may help a little bit, but you really need to free up the rest of the system to take advantage of the headers. Doing this legally can be a problem sometimes.
Did I say I would not convert to a carb? Let me say it again. I would not convert it to a carb.
Did I say I would not convert to a carb? Let me say it again. I would not convert it to a carb.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD
Why not convert it to a carb? I read that to gain any real power from exhaust, headers, heads, cam, intake, I must do away with the speed density system. This means either MAF conversion or carb conversion. A MAF conversion would be fairly complicated and expensive, a carb conversion wouldn't be as bad. But, how much power can I gain without doing away with the speed density conversion? If I put an "SD friendly" cam in it, tuned headers, and some head work, how much power would I gain? I'd be happy with 250hp, and 325 lb/ft of torque. If these numbers are achievable with maintaining the SD fuel system, that would be ideal.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD
Oh yea, I don't care about legality. I don't drive the truck daily, and since it's and '86 I'm going to put historic tags on it. It won't ever go through emissions or inspection again. Legality takes a back seat on this one.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
You have been mislead about the need to change to a carb or MAF, you don't need to as long as the "upgrades" don't exceed the supply requirements of the stock injectors.. about 300hp. Despite what some may say the SD system can and will add more fuel to supply a better flowing motor, in closed loop the computer will adjust the fuel trims based on feedback from the O2 sensor. This won't happen immediately it will take some driving around for the computer to learn, but it will happen. All that's really neded to get 250-275hp from this motor is an upgraded SD EFI friendly cam and a good exhaust system. Shorties attached to a high flow single or duals will qualify but won't help low rpm power much, longtubes will but installation of the rest of the plumbing is a little more involved.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD
Well good, that's what I want to hear! The shorties I picked out have 1 5/8" primaries and 3" collectors, which are decent sizes. And they are tuned. The primaries kind of go up and back down to the collector. The best part is, they will bolt right up to my downpipes. So, it's kind of the best of both worlds (shorties vs. long tubes). They are tuned, with respectable pipe diameters, AND they don't create exhaust system plumbing challenges or ground clearance issues.
