Earlier on this site, I read someone talk about their JBA headers. At first I was adamant about buying a set of these. Even Jet Hot Coatings reccommended this brand... at least for Ford. However, I haven't heard a whole lot about JBA. I've heard more of Gibson. Borla is just too up there. I'd probably buy a set that was installation friendly (no cutting/welding/fabricating included)(no Headman/Hooker/Summit headers). Give me something to argue.

------------------
1999 Red F150 4x4 5.4L XLT X-Cab
Towing Package
Corporate 9.75 Rear Axle, 3.55 Limited Slip
Corporate 8.8 Front Axle, 3.55 Open
K&N Generation II
Jet Chip
32x11.50 Super Swamper SSR
coming soon
Gibson Headers
40-Series Flomaster exhaust

 

Red,
All I can give you is my opinion. If I could do it over again, I would buy JBA's. I have had some serious QC problems with Gibson headers all of which would have been forgivable had Gibson taken care of me.
Gibson has NO customer service what-so-ever, there tech assistance is falls short of what a chimpanze could handle And, they won't return your phone calls.

I have friends in the aftermarket truck business who have dropped Gibson due to some of these same problems.

My .02

------------------
2000 XLT supercab, 4x4 7700lb. package, 5.4L, 3.73 LS,skids,CD changer,MagnaCharger, Flowmaster,Superchip, Airaid, Gibson Headers, Island Blue

 

Installed at pair of JBA Shorties on my 5.4L Supercrew and have never been more pleased.They gave the 25-30hp increase promised and JBA was very professional and patient to my needs and concerns.There is no ticking or strange sounds from these headers, just the wonderfull sounds of a healthy breathing engine.Added with the FIPK and Flowmaster (single 3" was JBA's recomendation)the power is much improved and the sound still excites me whenever I turn the key over(isn't that half the battle?)The install was a 6 hour job and I had them do it because of the difficulty level.They do offer special ceramic coatings for the headers too.
Good luck

 

ptfii,

I'm glad to hear good things again about JBA. I will change my "coming soons." That's all I needed to put me back over the line. I was strongly urged by Jet Hot Coatings to at least buy copper gaskets and stainless steel header bolts. JetHotCoatings said they can coat the headers, inside and out, for $179. The rep. said it majorly cuts down on under hood temps and greatly increases the life of the headers (no warping from heat). You'll have to update their status (gasket seal, loose bolts?) for me in a few miles. Also, how did you change to a 3" exhaust. Did you have to buy a new Y-pipe, aftermarket 3" cats?

*****,

Your problems are nothing new. I hope it turns out alright.

thanks for both replies.

 

Hi Red,

The Jet-Hot coating is well worth it, I would never have a set of headers wihout that coating. Not only does it cut down on the underhood heat, but it also keeps more heat in the spent exhaust stream, which helps the scavenging effect pull those spent gases out of the cylinder head.

On the dyno, we see about 14-17 hp at the flywheel from the JBS shortys on the 5.4, a couple less on the 4.6. There was one member here who recently bought a set of JBA's and was not happy with them, but the vast majority of people who have them like them, and we've always liked them as well.

One suggestion: get locking header bolts, so you don't have to go back and re-torque time after time over the first 90 days.

Good luck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

The Y pipe is stock. According to JBA nobody makes a Calif. state legal Y pipe for this vehicle. I also went with JBA cat back into a 50 Delta FLowmaster all 3" in diameter. In regards to any problems, I've had none. I did go back for their recommended re-torque appointment. The install was over 3,000 miles ago and have been happy as a clam.

 

!!Locking! Locking header bolts. That's right Mike. That's what the JHC guy said. That's what gives headers their bad name... people just installing them w/the standard fiber gaskets and included header bolts.

Mike,

Also, if you could help with a rumor: I've heard "shorty" headers aren't as good as the standard equal lenght headers. And can you clearify me w/the "equal length" thing too.

Thanks for the info