Exhaust & Intake Systems
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Headers worth it?

Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:01 PM
  #1  
aggieford2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX - however currently at Seabrook, TX
Headers worth it?

I've researched on the site a bit, but was wondering if yall thought these headers were worth the price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00...Q5fAccessories



I currently am running true duals with 14" maggies and I do not have High Flow cats.

Should I replace the cats or just go for the headers?

opinions are appreciated
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:30 PM
  #2  
DarrenWS6's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor
Truck of the Month
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 16,436
Likes: 5
From: Mansfield, P.A.
I would buy t-304 stainless headers. The black paint on those will melt off in no time and they will rust out within a couple years, even sooner up in the north.

Magnaflow hi-flow cats would be a good option for minimal low end gain, and sound.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:32 PM
  #3  
rednoved's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, Texas
I would replace the cats, they will be the weak link in your system.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 12:38 PM
  #4  
4.6 Punisher's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,778
Likes: 10
From: Douglasville GA
Long tube headers love to melt OEM cats, so you have to replace them with hi-flows.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 01:45 PM
  #5  
aggieford2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX - however currently at Seabrook, TX
Now the website (and all other websites that sell long tube headers) claims that it adds like 30 hp - I smell BS. Would a set of headers really improve performance? Or would I have to add a new performance intake manifold and new TB to get the most out of it?

And I probably wouldnt go with the black headers - i see what yall are saying about the rust. any recommendations of long tube headers for a 2002 5.4 4X4?
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 03:36 PM
  #6  
Altatruck's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Lot of folks on this site like to poo poo any power gains saying you don't get jack from anything until you "tune" your vehicle. From my experience you don't "need" to get a tune to get an increase in power. You won't get the most you can from the upgrade without a tune, ture, but you will still get a sizeable increase in power regardless. If its easier to push the exhuast out of the motor, its easier to push it out of the motor, regardless of your tune, and when your motor doesn't have to work as hard it, that power goes to the tires. Lower your pressure losses from point A to point B and you won't need as high a pressure at point A. Rather simple fluid dynamics there.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 04:31 PM
  #7  
aggieford2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX - however currently at Seabrook, TX
Originally Posted by Altatruck
Lot of folks on this site like to poo poo any power gains saying you don't get jack from anything until you "tune" your vehicle. From my experience you don't "need" to get a tune to get an increase in power. You won't get the most you can from the upgrade without a tune, ture, but you will still get a sizeable increase in power regardless. If its easier to push the exhuast out of the motor, its easier to push it out of the motor, regardless of your tune, and when your motor doesn't have to work as hard it, that power goes to the tires. Lower your pressure losses from point A to point B and you won't need as high a pressure at point A. Rather simple fluid dynamics there.
Well i already got an XCal 3 with custom tunes so it wouldnt be a big issue getting new tunes so I could theoretically get the most out of the headers.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Aug 3, 2009 | 04:39 PM
  #8  
maddoughboy's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: WA State
Well I just did mine and I don't think they worth the hassel and I still have to go back and correct some stuff.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
aggieford2010's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: College Station, TX - however currently at Seabrook, TX
Originally Posted by maddoughboy
Well I just did mine and I don't think they worth the hassel and I still have to go back and correct some stuff.
*decision made* I wasnt looking to spend $500 unless it was really worth it.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 09:54 PM
  #10  
maplesyrup's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Alberta/Saskatchewan.
i just put in a set 2 days ago.
Headers into Y pipe into SI/DO magnaflow, no cats. I L O V E them.

That paint thats on those headers is storage paint to prevent surface rust...it will not last a week, I had mine mediablasted and coated before they went in.

I think they are soo worth it.!!
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2009 | 11:52 PM
  #11  
Blue02FX4's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Falls, Iowa
i have an 02 5.4 FX4, and i got the OBX longtubes..... and am VERY happy i did... it was more than worth it with the power and exhaust note gain. i got the spun high flow cats on my y pipe, and a magnaflow 15749 kit bent out the sides after it.... and it sounds amazing. and no i dont have a tune... yet, but you can tell a difference.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 08:48 PM
  #12  
LincolnMarkLT20's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by maplesyrup
i just put in a set 2 days ago.
Headers into Y pipe into SI/DO magnaflow, no cats. I L O V E them.

That paint thats on those headers is storage paint to prevent surface rust...it will not last a week, I had mine mediablasted and coated before they went in.

I think they are soo worth it.!!
Hey what brand of headers did you go with?

Did you go with short or long tubes?

Did you lose any low end torque?

No header leaks?

sorry for so many questions!! I'ts just I been thinking about this, some people say there not worth it, they leak or lose low end torque.
I would like to buy pacersetter longtube headers, but dont know what to do with the o2 sensors. Sorry if I'm high jacking!!!
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 09:03 PM
  #13  
mcdover's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: Deatsville, AL
I got a set of Dynatech LT's that have been Jet-Hot coated that I can't use anymore. I'm keeping the cats. Make me an offer.
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2009 | 10:34 PM
  #14  
maplesyrup's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Alberta/Saskatchewan.
Originally Posted by LincolnMarkLT20
Hey what brand of headers did you go with?

Did you go with short or long tubes?

Did you lose any low end torque?

No header leaks?

sorry for so many questions!! I'ts just I been thinking about this, some people say there not worth it, they leak or lose low end torque.
I would like to buy pacersetter longtube headers, but dont know what to do with the o2 sensors. Sorry if I'm high jacking!!!
Long tubes
I have a supercharger so I cant notice much difference as far as losing torque...But to me it feels like the truck just wants to up and go off the bat. So to me feels like no, not at all, if anything its way more responsive!
Pacesetter, no leaks so far at all...i did get the ford gaskets, they are steel and not the paper crap.
And what about your o2 sensors? If you keep the cats then all you need is o2 extensions, If you get rid of them you need simulators like I did so it doesnt trip the CEL.
 

Last edited by maplesyrup; Aug 5, 2009 at 10:38 PM.
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:12 PM.