I agree... A well designed "header system" should yield the best performance!

 

I'd be very interested in a set of headers.....especially if the exhaust manifold bolt problem that I've been reading about in the forum happens. If I've got to pay to have the bolts replaced might as well go for headers while they're down there.

 

I'm no expert but I'll do my best to describe the three headers in question.

Shorty headers are generally designed to connect to the OEM Y-pipe and are probably the most popular, least expensive, and easiest to install. They generally provide modest improvements because most shorty headers are not "tuned" and have OEM collector diameters.

Here is a pic of a shorty header:



Long-tube headers are generally not designed to connect to the OEM Y-pipe and therefore require additional parts and labor to install. They are more expensive because of more material is used in the fabrication. Many long-tube headers are "tuned" which helps in scavenging. Long-tube headers may have larger collectors that the OEM diameter.

Here is a pic of a long-tube header:



Tri-Y headers are similar to long-tube headers in that they have longer tubes, larger diameter collectors, and require additional parts and labor. The real difference is in the way the tubes merge to the collector. The tubes of a long-tube header merge to a single point (4 into 1). The tubes of a Tri-Y header merge to three points. For a V8 engine, cylinders 1&2 merge to a single point (A) and cylinders 3&4 merge to a single point (B). Then a tube runs from points A & B to another single point (C). I have heard that Tri-Y headers provide the best performance across the entire RPM spectrum.

Here's a pic of a Tri-Y header:



I hope that this helps...

 

Yeap! Labor is expensive so you might as well replace old worn out or inferior parts while doing the job.

 

I would be interested if the price is under a grand, had good tubing thickness, and quality thick flanges.

 

so the best thing to get would be tri-y headers. i would most likely have to replace my Y-pipe then i assume... am i right?

 

Tuned too!

 

Yeap... or have it modified to connect to the header.

 

Good point!

 

Might have something to do with the weather. I remember this last winter we had a several week stretch of temps ~ 20 below zero (then the next week it went to 40 degrees, literally a 60 degree change in one day, we've had a weird winter!) It probably gets tiresome plugging and unplugging in the diesel everytime you think it will be cold and then waiting/hoping for the truck to start in the morning. Gas prices may be a factor, its still pretty expensive here, unleaded gasoline is ~ 2.35 a gallon, and diesel is a buck more at ~ 3.35, so filling up that diesel 38 gallon tank would be quite a chunk of change.

 

Well, I emailed Nick Thompson at DTH and hope to hear back from him regarding the long-tube headers. I'll keep you updated!

 

I agree! I will definitely be running high-flow cats for environmental reasons. I'm thinking that a mid-length Tri-Y header that allows for cats and direct connection to the OEM mid-pipe may be the best overall design. BTW, I also posted this thread in the Super Duty forum and have received a great response. I going to copy your post in the other thread because DTH will be reviewing the thread for consideration to produce the requested header. Thanks!

 

i think it would also help people make decisions if they had before and after dynos

 

Absolutely! It's easier to justify spending $$$ on an aftermarket part if you know that you're going to pick up some serious HP/TQ.

 

Thread was closed, but now has been reopened.

Just wanted to clear it with the management to make sure this didn't conflict with any of FTE's policies.

Thorley is a sponsor, and they make a good product.

Have at it!

And Furian, feel free to bump this every day or two to make sure it gets the visibility it deserves.