Hey guys, I am looking at headers now to run through the magnaflow hf cats I bought and then running a x-pipe through a modded slp loudmouth to be true duals. I was about to order the pacesetter longtubes then I saw that they have shorties for the 5.4 and thought I could build custom down tubes to the cats, just saw they have 1 5/8" tubing which would better fit the 4.6 imo, I just think 1 3/4 from the longtubes is overkill on the smallish 4.6 and would lose a ton of torque. I have a 06 stx 4x4 with 3.55 rear according to my rear end code. I will be running a 33" tire also with a gryphon tuner. I am not a mpg freak, just want better towing out of the 4.6, I would have never had bought this truck if I knew it sucked this bad, but I am stuck with it and am gonna do anything possible to get atleast 40 to 50 more hp out of this thing. Oh yeah, running a s&b intake.
Thanks for reading,
Steve

Also, my buddy works a stainless works and could get me a little deal on their longtubes, anyone use them? They are 1 5/8 also, but I like that they are stainless, and if everyone says 1 5/8 is better, I could go that route too.

 

this has nothing to do with you header question, but if you are looking for more power for towing i would suggest a set of gears.

 

I was thinking gears at first but I do a ton of highway driving every year, plus I drive from Ohio to Wyoming twice a year, the lower revs would be nice if I can bring up the torque enough to combat the lower 3.55s. I am by far not a ford truck knowledge junkie, lol, I am a camaro guy and a chevy truck guy, this is my first venture with ford going from a Honda Element slammed on 20's. I have owned other silverados and just never had towing issues even with the 4.8 in my 04 I had before gas hit $4.30 a gallon. Sorry for all my rants, just giving some background info so you guys know where am coming from I guess.

Later
Steve

 

Go with OBX long tubes.....not bad for the price.
Shorties aren't going to help much on a n/a motor.
Along with high flow cats.
The programmer will be of some help.

 

Yeah what 88 said lt's are alot better than shorties on our trucks. But i still think new gears will be your best bet. even something mild like a 4.10, especially since you said your going to be running larger tires soon.

 

How much $$$$ on average is it to switch to 4.10's front and rear? I may do this when I upgrade to bigger tires in the spring, but on the exhaust still, mine is a 4.6, obx is for the 5.4 only everywhere I look unless just the headers fit using my own xpipe setup. This is gonna be a big project now, all well, Ill just drive the wifes impala ss for a while.

Later and thanks
Steve

 

Hey insane,
Drop in a set of 3.73 gears guaranteed 100% improvement
I had same problem.One of the first things I did 260,000
miles ago!Hauled 1,000 pound s in the back every day.
Best thing I ever did!

 

Summit has em 149.00$This is a great upgrade.
3.73 is the right gear for 4.6, and tranny wont have to work as hard.And Youll get great driveability.
On really tight mountain roads drop it into second
and watchem try and keep up!!

 

I have been looking into gears now, I can get front and rear motive gear sets in either 3.73 or 4.10 with install kits for $423 with my discount at summit through work(Wiseco Piston). Thats not bad but it is the install, I have all the tools and a guage to set the lash, but I only did one rear in my life, that was a 9" in my camaro and it was loud, so I am not confident, but give me a motor or trans, I can build one from the ground up. My buddy said he would install both sets for $600, so I am looking at $1k, so I think spring time when tax money comes in will be a top list item.

I have also been looking all over about the obx headers on a 4.6 and cannot find anyone else that has put them on a 4.6. I may just go with a set of the stainless works, I know they fit, they will not rust and with the magniflow cats, custom ss x-pipe setup going into the lm2 exhaust should sound great(which I really want), give me a big power boost with a tune, then when I re-gear it with the 33's, it should move and be nice to tow and go trail driving with my buds. If I can get a confirmation on the obx's, I will get them because I can use the y-pipe as a great starting point for the x-pipe.

Thanks for the responses.
Steve

 

Go with the 4.10! it's not worth the money just to only upgrade to a 3.73. plus after your tires only going to a 3.73 its just gonna feel like stock.

 

I would go with Pace Setter long tubes. I have them and love them. Make sure you sand and paint them with high temp paint. I didnt and I regret it. Stainless Works is way too much money and they will last just as long as Pace Setters

 

Hey im sorry about that I should ve said some thing about tire size I'm running 20's with 275r40s (my truck is lowered) I
think i nets out at 30.5inches any larger than 32's
youll probably want to go with 4.10

 

i had asked the guy i bought my sct tuner from about long tubes and he said headers weren't gonna make much difference in the horsepower, basically said it wasn't worth it. my truck feels stronger with the new tune, i'll probably just supercharge it