Two weeks new to the v10 dealer sold it to me with 9 of 20 bolts broken, But I got them to fix it (told him I was going to get him a pair of concrete shoes for christmas lol), he fixed all the bolts and put 2 new manifolds on. But Ive been reading and talking to people and I guess the same thing is due to happen again sooner or later. I really dont want to modify the truck that much but are headers a safe bet? if so what else has to be done to the truck, can I just put the headers on and nothing else. will the 14 to 1 air fuel ratio be altered by the headers. Anyone who has added headers what are good cheap ones. Thanks for any help

 

i just bought a 03 that has one broken on each side i will be putting new ones on next week and am told that headers will not do a thing unless you do work to the head.
what i want is a better stock man or a longer lasting header that wont kill my low end power. HELP US!!

 

Do a thread seach for headers. Lots of info. If already fixed I would leave it. If still needed fixed I would recommend headers on a pre 03. Y pipe sucks and headers improved fuel economy and power.

 

Many threads I have read say headers are not really worth it as a daily driver. They only really help in the higher rpm range. I do not have any personal experience,but allready decided not to get them. Some have had trouble with the less expensive "ebay" headers cracking. The Y-pipe and muffler seem to make the biggest difference from reading here and in the Excursion forum.I think if you are pulling alot or looking for more "fun power" then go for it. There also seems to be a noise issue of a "tinny sound" which is usaully solved by wrapping them in heat cloth.

 

I have to agree with bakon, if it's fixed, leave it well enough alone. Keep an eye on it, checking it every few months (every oil change?) and if any break, start the process of collecting parts/tools to put in headers

 

Just called banks 1200 bucks for the whole kit studs,y pipe,and headers...cash ouch but it will be fixed!

 

I hear what you are sayin it is fixed and I would really like to just leave it alone. But, the truck only had 95,000 on it no heavy hauling and 9 of 20 were broke. Luckily (very LUCKY) I got the dealer to do it, next time it will be me and I don't have a welder, in my opinion unless the stud is recessed in the head welding a nut on is the safest way for a part time mechanic to get them out stud pullers and bolt extractors are to unreliable and you end up doing more damage and have to pay someone in the end. I'm just thinking everything on there is new if the manifolds are the problem I could easily take them off and change them to headers in 4 hours no rust nothing. I just don't want to modify the engine so that it is not runniing the way it was intended to. Went to school for diesel mechanics years ago and I know that evrytime you modify one thing you effect a few others.

 

It helps, trust me.

 

bakon how do you like your hedman headers? any inprovement and did they fit good?

 

I like the Hedman headers and fit was perfect. The truck has stock exhaust from the y pipe back so no real noise change. Think it has a deeper tone but not any louder. The gas milage really improved, guessing but 8-10 city and 14-15 was tops with stock. Both have improved by 2 or 3 mpg. This is not alot but percentage wise is 15-20%, which is large. I got them through Summit and used their locking bolts on the heads, none have moved or needed retightened. However the manifold to y pipe connections have given me some grief. The loosen about monthly and I blame the ball and socket type connection. It allows some movement, expansion, or stretch, I dont know but I will get a little leak I hear on cold start ups. Quiets rather quick when warm so I let it cool, climb under and tighten the three bolts on each. I have started double nutting them to make sure they are not loosening so I think its the socket and ball sliding. Its not a hard job, just a slight PITA.
They fit perfect and include the y pipe with an extra tab the stock pipe did not have which bolts up to the bell housing. Tucks in nice, 02 sensors in the collectors, not one runner, No frame modifications some others have needed. Came with hardware and gaskets. I did not use the head bolts like stated earlier, dont know if they would have loosened. Original y pipe/ manifold bolts were lost the first time it loosened but the y pipe to cat pipe bolts are still there holding good. Just the loosening which is slight and from what others say "headers are always needed tightened." Dont know if its true for other brands. I would recommend them.

 

Thanks for the info I already have a set on order and am so glad you like yours.

 

I don't have experience with the v10 (yet), but with the older fuel injected v8's (5.8 is what I had), the biggest benefits were seen with long tube headers. Shorties helped at higher rpms but long tubes helped everywhere.

 

I think these would be long tube. Runners are much longer than ebay headers.