Which header fits best
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Joined: May 2009
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Which header fits best
I am at the point where I need to replace my exhaust manifolds due to the broken bolt problems. I have numerous bolts broke and the passenger side is leaking pretty good. After talking to the dealer which wants around $1300.00 to replace the one manifold and replace broken studs I figured it was time to take this into my own hands. I dont drive this truck much anymore since the building industry has fallen apart, its a 2000 F350 supercab with 160,000 miles. I have the time to let it sit while I tackle the repairs. After reading many threads on this subject I have one question. Is there one product that seems to stand out over others as far as fit for installiation. I have noticed the Ebay version which is cheap requires some hammering or grinding on the frame for the header to fit. Others seem to require the engine to be jacked to install bolts, remove steering shaft, etc,etc. I am looking for a set that fits well and doesnt take all the extra time because of a poor fit. Please let me know how your experience went. Thanks....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
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From: Millersburg, OH
The reason the engine may need to be jacked up is to gain access to some of the lower studs in order to drill them out. It really has nothing to do with installation. The steering shaft can be removed on the left side to install the header but the other way is to remove the engine oil dipstick tube.
All the header should be basically the same when it comes to installation. The ebay headers only need a small slot cut in the frame on the right side (I think). Not a big deal.
For the record my Ford Racing headers do not require any modifcation to the frame.
All the header should be basically the same when it comes to installation. The ebay headers only need a small slot cut in the frame on the right side (I think). Not a big deal.
For the record my Ford Racing headers do not require any modifcation to the frame.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 325
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From: Rhode Island
I have gibson headers on my 2000 v-10. Bolted right up, I paid 500 for the removal of the crap ford put in with those stupid bolts and nuts that were all broken. Luckily they werent flush with the block and the guy I had do em used a little bit of heat, VERY little and used a pair of vice grips to twist em out.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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borla is a great product, that being said, my cousin had a hard time because of the one piece y-pipe, there was some bind he had to deal with, banks uses a 2 piece y-pipe, ball and cup couplers, 5/8" flanges (everyone else is 1/2"), the headers are also tuned, after about 6 years with banks, NO LEAKS, oh, and by the way, cousin had to r&r a gasket due to leakage on his borla, hope this helps....
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
The Thorley's I have bolted right on. That said though I believe the Banks system is probably one of the best header/y-pipe setups out there and will be easier to install than the Throleys. I say that because the Banks has a little different Y-pipe connection than the Throleys that just looks easier to work with.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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I have ebay headers, they were $125 shipped and are modeled after the JBA catforward headers. I had to take a 3"x .5" notch out of the passenger side frame rail to accomodate the header. Small price to pay compared to what some of the headers listed above retail for.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
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From: central Louisiana
i've also witnessed the "Ebay" headers BREAK, after one ride. meaning the flange was cracked on one pair, and the collector broke off the other pair......... you get what you pay for with those..........
banks are lifetime warranty........... and i'll probably never have to use it....... but if something does happen i know i'm covered.
BANKS, Doug Thorley, and Gibson are about the top 3 for a long tube style header, plus they will give more gains that any Ebay header will.
banks are lifetime warranty........... and i'll probably never have to use it....... but if something does happen i know i'm covered.
BANKS, Doug Thorley, and Gibson are about the top 3 for a long tube style header, plus they will give more gains that any Ebay header will.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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i've also witnessed the "Ebay" headers BREAK, after one ride. meaning the flange was cracked on one pair, and the collector broke off the other pair......... you get what you pay for with those..........
banks are lifetime warranty........... and i'll probably never have to use it....... but if something does happen i know i'm covered.
BANKS, Doug Thorley, and Gibson are about the top 3 for a long tube style header, plus they will give more gains that any Ebay header will.
banks are lifetime warranty........... and i'll probably never have to use it....... but if something does happen i know i'm covered.
BANKS, Doug Thorley, and Gibson are about the top 3 for a long tube style header, plus they will give more gains that any Ebay header will.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
I too have over 2 years on a set of eBay headers. No issues whatsoever. I don't run WOT and then douse them in mud though 
Fit, however, that's a different story. I had to notch the frame for the passenger side, AND widen a bolt hole on the driver's side header for it to fit to the head.
Fit, however, that's a different story. I had to notch the frame for the passenger side, AND widen a bolt hole on the driver's side header for it to fit to the head.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
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From: central Louisiana
then you should know that the 5/8 thick flange of the BANKS, and the larger primary tubes, not to mention thicker tubes, will surpass any ebay header in the harsh environments that i/we have put trucks threw...........
there are probably quite a few people who have purchased ebay headers, and have not had a problem, but witnessing what can happen, changes your mind on how such a SMALL amount of water at the start of a ride out in the woods can ruin a trip.......
thin mounting flange, thin tubes, thin collectors............ they are less expensive in price and quality. they will show slight power gains, but not close to what you'll get with a longer "non-curly q" style tube header, and a y-pipe to match the headers..........
i personally will never purchase or recommend the "ebay" style headers. they are modeled after the JBA's, with less attention to payed to quality!
there are probably quite a few people who have purchased ebay headers, and have not had a problem, but witnessing what can happen, changes your mind on how such a SMALL amount of water at the start of a ride out in the woods can ruin a trip.......
thin mounting flange, thin tubes, thin collectors............ they are less expensive in price and quality. they will show slight power gains, but not close to what you'll get with a longer "non-curly q" style tube header, and a y-pipe to match the headers..........
i personally will never purchase or recommend the "ebay" style headers. they are modeled after the JBA's, with less attention to payed to quality!
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2009
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I'm not aguing the fact that they are cheap but, $500+ for a set of headers that maybe, and I repeat, maybe get you 10hp???? Why. What a waste.
Most people change to headers because thier manifold studs broke or the manifold cracked. As long as the headers aren't regularly douched with water and mud, they'll be fine. I haven't had a single problem with mine and anticipate not having any problem in the near future.
Most people change to headers because thier manifold studs broke or the manifold cracked. As long as the headers aren't regularly douched with water and mud, they'll be fine. I haven't had a single problem with mine and anticipate not having any problem in the near future.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,268
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From: central Louisiana
the gale banks power gains has been proven to be more than your guestimation of 10HP over the ebay headers. the arguing is pure "opinion" about ebay headers with no substantial tests that will back up the accusations.......... banks has been featured on more than one "off road magazine" and 4x4 test to show actuall rear wheel HP/TQ numbers that will exceede many other brand headers.
even with out evidence, just from actually LOOKING at the banks design which imulates (and is as close as your going to get to a "long tube" header) will show more power gains than a typical short tube header.
just because i don't recomend them, doesn't mean that people don't buy them.............. i guess all the 4x4 shows just over looked the EXTREAM performance gains of the ebay headers compared to the name brand headers. with your accusation of only "maybe 10HP" gain, that dude that started making them must be a bajillionair to have come up with a better design than gale banks.............
even with out evidence, just from actually LOOKING at the banks design which imulates (and is as close as your going to get to a "long tube" header) will show more power gains than a typical short tube header.
just because i don't recomend them, doesn't mean that people don't buy them.............. i guess all the 4x4 shows just over looked the EXTREAM performance gains of the ebay headers compared to the name brand headers. with your accusation of only "maybe 10HP" gain, that dude that started making them must be a bajillionair to have come up with a better design than gale banks.............