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Headers and our trucks???

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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 06:06 PM
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Headers and our trucks???

I have an opportunity to get some hooker pro comp ceramic coated full length headers. I have an 88 f250 HD 4x4. I know the norm with cheap headers but these are the best hooker makes for our trucks. My question is how they fit if anyone has used them and any tips to make the install better. I already have true duel exhaust so Im not worried about Ypipe issues or having to do some custom work to make it fit my existing system.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 09:02 PM
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if the price is right go for it because last i looked those are not cheap a all
are they full lenght shorties? or LT?
if long tube then mods may have to be made, but my shorties are the summit brand and they fit fine
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 09:08 PM
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From: ct
as stated above. full length headers
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 09:28 PM
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well my reg. shorties have about a inch to 3 in between the frame and the header on each side..
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 10:07 PM
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You dont say what engine.

I have hooker competition headers on my 89 w/ 351W. They fit great on my truck
 
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 03:32 PM
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oh yeah>>>its a 351w
 
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 03:59 PM
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I put Hooker Super Competition headers on my 1990 F150 with the 302 and 5-speed because, at that time, those were the only headers I could get for it. This was in 1991. It sucked big time. No low end power at all, hauled the mail over 3000 RPM but what good is that? Had them on from 17K miles to 38K miles when I put the original manifolds back on and put 225K miles on the truck. It pulled a lot better without the headers. I don't think stock Ford heads are very good with headers. Be careful with this application if your engine is otherwise stock.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 09:15 PM
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You do realize that a 302 is a high reving engine that never had any low end power.... right? The 351 is a completly different animal, and LOVES a free flowing exhaust
 
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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i agree. when i put true duel exhaust on my truck it was night and day from the stock ypipe single exhaust and that was using manifolds so i would guess long tube headers to be an even better improvement
 
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 10:31 AM
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I have a 94 302 aod and I have Flowtech long tubes on it and the only issue i have is they sit a little lower than the transmission crossmember so fabricating my system was kind of a pain and took several attempts but now it sounds amazing and runs great. I love my cheap o headers from autozone.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by jas88
I put Hooker Super Competition headers on my 1990 F150 with the 302 and 5-speed. It sucked big time. No low end power at all, hauled the mail over 3000 RPM
Sounds like your timing was too retarded. No the 5.0 is no TQ monster and it definitely needs to rev to make good power, but I got the exact opposite results with longtubes on my '89 5.0. With stock exhaust it couldn't even chirp a tire but with longtubes it would effortlessly spin 31's from idle. HUGH TQ gains.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by fordyduty
I have an opportunity to get some hooker pro comp ceramic coated full length headers. I have an 88 f250 HD 4x4. I know the norm with cheap headers but these are the best hooker makes for our trucks.
As long as they are truck headers you got an easy upgrade.

Originally Posted by fordyduty
My question is how they fit if anyone has used them and any tips to make the install better.
The flange style collectors found on most headers often leak, ball and socket connectors seal much better and allow for more misalignment but installing them on coated headers means ruining the coating. To minimize leaks make sure the exhaust system is well supported on the truck and not just the headers.
 
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