headers
 

anyone know if there is a direct fit set for 03-06 5.4L 4x4's? want to ditch the manifolds to allow the engine/charger to breathe better. don't really care about noise.

These are direct fit shorty headers.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BBK-3516/

i found THESE as well. it states 03, but wonder why not 04? 3v's didnt come into the expy's until 05. sent an email, but no response yet. i like the black better, and they are cheaper. i was hoping someone had already installed a set on the 03 or 04 body style so as to guarantee fit. also, what is the point of them anyways? is it primarily for better flow out of the engine, or do they serve another purpose? any power gains?

It's nice that those come with a new EGR tube. What I don't see there are the gaskets or header bolts. You might want to ask them if those items are included.

good point

i was just looking at the picture of the oem manifold in my catalog here at work, and it isn't much different than the a/m shorty ones. wondering if the cost is really justifiable, or am i not seeing the whole picture?

I picked up 1-2 MPG and a tad bit more kick at the top end after switching to shorties.

I personally don't use gaskets anymore, just black high temp RTV. I was at a hot rod show and bought a set of headers from a vendor there. They had those fancy copper gaskets on display, but didn't try to sell me any. When I asked the rep about them, he said their instructions say to install with black high temp RTV. So I did and I've never had a leak. I have since installed stock manifolds with the RTV and still don't have a leak.

Oh? That sounds interesting. What is the black high temp RTV rated for as far as temperature goes?

hey here's my stupid header question of the day - how did you guys (that used them) keep the gaskets in the right place while installing the headers? I've heard to just use masking tape around the header and gasket, but can this cause a leak?

Pick two easy to access bolt holes and screw the studs back in that you removed with the manifolds. Let the gasket hang on those studs while you install the header. After you have 2 header bolts installed, remove the 2 studs.

:-X22 There's an idea. Thanks Alloro

too many brands to choose from!!! pacesetter, bbk, obx, edelbrock.....

hahaha yeah I know what you mean.

If you are only doing shorty headers, go with whatever is the lowest cost (probably the summit racing / pacesetter set) I only paid $150 for mine, direct from summit.

Keep in mind you are not going to get the full header effect since you are looking at shortys, but either way with the supercharger should help your engine exhale a little better than the stock manifolds. The stockers force the exhaust gas into an almost 90* turn into the collection tube, where as the shorty's (yes, still make the 90* turn) just do it a bit more gradually and with a longer expansion tube. Since the shorty's (or any header) have individual collection tubes, you are basically elongating your exhaust system right from the exhaust valve, which is were you get the power from. Longer, wider tubes usually means smoother flowing exhaust gasses with less restriction.

cheapest set by application on summit is the bbk's for $349. ebay has some obx for pretty cheap.