i have an exhaust leak coming from the manifold area. havent pinpointed it as being a cracked manifold or broken bolt yet.

heres my problem, im no replacing a stock piece with an OE component. i really want long tube headers, but getting the pipes redone isnt in the budget right now. what i want to know is, are shorties worth the money? will i notice any gains with short tube headers with a 5.4L engine?

 

I don't think so...

 

none at all, longtubes is all thats worth replacing the stock headers on a 5.4L, so if its out of the budget for longtubes & you need new headers, justget new OEM ones.

 

how long do you think i can safely go with an exhaust leak? i know it sends more O2 to the sensor which "confuses" it or whatever you want to call it. what long term affects am i looking at here?

 

hey sorry to jump in on your post, hope ok to ask a related question.have a 2000 f-150 with 5.4..140,000 miles.. Can you have an exsaust leak only when cold or when cools down? I have a strange sound coming from the passenger side rear of engine when i first start up,(fluttering???) it goes away after a few minets(not piston slap) it really sounds like exsaust leak, and then also does it a little after sitting for 15-30 min or so but does not last as long or is not as loud. I replaced the belt and tensioner to rule out belt slip. (I guess could still be a bad pully on an accessory or somethig?) I covered the tail pipe with hand and only get alittle hiss from the muffler area(prob drain hole). Hmmm could it be a plug worked its way loose??? just thought of that. The guy who did my plugs 30,000 miles ago is a master ford tech and we discussed the proceedure to be sure plugs in correctly. Can anyone give me some more info on what this MIGHT be??? BTW truck runs and idles fantastic!!!! Thanks

 

You can have the exhaust leak for however long you can stand it, but that is dangerious stuff, could get you 'high on the fumes' and fall asleep at the wheel or something or make you really sick. So get that fixed asap your your safty.

 

i had the infamous broken exhaust studs in my passenger side rear. that ticking noise is annoying.if your not mechancally inclined do not attempt it you can make things 10 times worse. go to a trusted mechanic.

 

i put long tubes on a v6 mustang and an SS camaro. the ones on the 5.4 look like a piece of cake compared to those.

the noise goes away within 5 minutes and it doesnt bother me too much. would a leak immediately trip a light, or even trip a light at all? i may have had a leak before but ive only noticed it since it go cold. i havent noticed an odor of fumes in the cab.

 

It will keep getting louder....

I had new manifolds installed. Had to put in a new egr tube at the same time (rust!). I replaced the front o2's also.

I bought my manifolds at partstrain.com for 1/3 the price of any local parts store. They look just like all the others too.

Start saving.....I bought all my parts in advance, and shoped for best prices. I had a mechanic put it all on, and it was worth the $250 in labor.

I have a Magnaflow SI/SO on its way here to complete my "exhaust tune up".