Input wanted... Tell me what you know...


Im looking at right at $500 for the stainless OBX headers, or about $570 for a set of the coated pace setters with Y pipe. Given the option, which should I go with?

Both come with gaskets, Y pipe, and hardware.

The PaceSetter headers are about $70 more in the coated version. I do a bit of off roading, so Im guessing coated or SS would be what I wanted over the painted, unless the paint holds up pretty well. What are your thoughts and experiences?

The Pace Setters have slightly larger primaries and collectors. I know the basic physics of header sizing, but as it applies to these trucks where are the advantges? I spend a lot of time on the highway commuting, and a good bit of time off roading, but more hauling *** than bogging... A Vortech SC is on the to do list as well....

Ive heard of high flow Y pipes that hook up to the stock manafolds, but havent found anything on them. Who what when where? Ect... Any thought? One of the biggest reason I want the long tubes is to get rid of the cats, and if I could do it on the cheep I would consider something like that, even though long tubes would be ideal.


So come on. help me out. What should I go with?





Oh, my truck is a 2003 F150 with 5.4, 4 wheel drive. Custom front end, 5.5" wider per side, consisting of boxed lower arms, tubular uppers, custom spindles, 2.5x10" KING coil overs, King 2.5x2.5 hydro bumps, custom engine cage, will pull up to 16" travel with 4wd, probably has 2-4 inches of lift in the front, wheel base also slightly extended in the front to clear the firewall at full bump... Glass fenders and bedsides. 4.88's and 37's(will clear 39's with a little work on the firewall soon to take place). Rear is still in the works... Will eventualy have full cage front to back an 20" of rear travel with Deavers(already have those)... Its a work in progress/driver, but you get the idea. You can see some pics here: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1007607

I'm in the same situation! been looking at the Pace Setter with the Y's but like the OBX SS ones.I might go with Shorties for the Cheaper $ and go with 2 Magnaflow Cats.I hate the stock setup with 4 restricted cats,might just cut them off and go with straight piping.

I never had headers, but what I definitely know, considering the PITA install, and seriousness of headers, stainless is the best way to go so it will last as long as the truck does.

Smalltown......I have heard decent things about the OBX's.

If you get them let me know how they do! I think that's my next mod.

Get Thorleys. Better than both. Remember you'll need a custom tune when you get L/T's.

i have had the OBX's for about a year and 25000 miles. Haven't had a problem yet.

Many members here have used both with great successes with both...

Also will not NEED a custom tune with the headers.

Who sells the the Thorleys, how much are they and what makes them better than both? Not doubting you, but a little more info would help.

Ive got the Sniper tuning set up. All I do is pull up my computer, open up my current tune, enter the configuration(Long Tube, Y Pipe, no cats, ect) and it makes all the adjustments and stops the check engine light from comming on.

ABOUT PAINTED HEADERS. Im far more into go than show, and the painted pacesetters are a value that seems like its hard to beat. HAS ANYONE ACTULAY HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH PAINT ON NEWER HEADERS? I know the hoat coat or SS is gonna hold up better than pain, but Im also pretty sure the paint being used has gotten a lot better than in years past. Im more into Go than show, so if a little bit of surface rust after a few years in the only problem thats not a biggie.

Go to their website and lookup dealers near you. The Thorley's are mid length headers (actually says shorty on some websites so don't be fooled so look up the model number to make sure) with 1 5/8'' tubing which is perfect for your engine. The quality is amazing and they last forever.

DO NOT get the painted pacesetters. The quality of them is quastionable and I've seen many that rust through. Plus they're shorties are pointless bc of the 1 1/2'' tubing and they're L/T's are have piping that is too big 1 3/4''.

Any coating (ceramic, chrome, etc.) is better than paint.

Thanks, thats the kind of info I was looking for. Ill look into those

I know that short tubes are a total waste of money on these truck, so I wouldnt install a pair reguardless of price.

If you plan to supercharge I would settle for nothing less then long tubes. Otherwise you are wasting money.

I heard L/Ts are a waste of money without a blower and shortys are just a waste of money.Maybe I shouldnt believe everything I hear. lol

You will notice far bigger gains with L/T's if you have a NA motor over a SC motor since a SC is a forced induction system, and a NA motor sucks(literaly), and depends more heavily on good flow. Same reason extensive head work does more good on a NA motor. But on the flip side, the more your putting out the better flow you need. Is that making any sense?

And Yes, short tubes are a waste of money. If someone just gave me a pair, the benefits of instaling them would not be worth the effort to me.

The stock cats are by far the most restrictive part of the whole stock system, so if there was a cheep easy way to get rid of the cats it would probably give you the best HP/$. With that said, I dont know of anything that cheep, and with the labor involved, its worth it to me to go ahead and spend extra to get the $500-600 LT's

Sounds like the volosity vs volume war continues

built54 had some crack on him, but jbrew has not had any issues that I am aware of with his pacesetters, boss1984 also runs the pacesetters

I picked up about 25/40 at the wheels with OBX longtubes and Magnaflow spun cats, pieced the setup together with a 'Y' to my existing 3" catback. The OBX fit perfectly, both sides literally just slid right into place from below.