I was wondering if headers are worth the hassle and the money. From what I've read on here people have struggled to put them in. I'm old school and love loud exhaust sound and would like to put headers on but I'm wondering if they're worth the price tag. We pick up the 97 f150 with a 4.6L tomorrow and want an exhaust for it that's loud and gives horsepower. We're going to use the truck to pull a 27 foot camper sometimes so would really like the horsepower the headers could give but just have a hard time giving up 500 bucks for them. Also wanna show the chev and dodge piles what a real truck should sound like.
Also any tips on what exhaust to use after headers or without would really help. I've worked on older muscle cars but this will be my first crack at modding a newer vechile so any help will be much appreciated.
thanx

 

if you want pulling power, youll want a K&N FIPK (fuel injection performance kit) , headers and true duals with a pair of free flowing mufflers like flowmaster 40's,and top it off with a computer chip. It will sound awesome and have alot more power.
FIPK- 20+hp gain $200
Headers- ?hp gain $200+install - more $ for better headers
true dual ext- hp and torque gain if its the right setup
computer chip- 30+ hp gain and 50+ftlbs gain $225 or up

im guessing for + or - 1200 bucks, you could have a badass Triton sound and have plenty of power to haul *** with that camper!!

 

Thanx Green_98!!!!
That's the kind of info I was looking for. Do you or anyone else know a website that I could order the headers and full dual exhaust from(would prefer it come out the side with dual tips).
I'll definitely get the FIPK first. It looks like a real easy install and bang for the buck is nice!! The chip will come last so I can have most of my mods on.
And has anyone put headers on a 97 extended cab f150 with a 4.6L. I wanna know what I'm up against.
Thanx again

 

Jeff,

I researched this quite extensively a couple of years ago and decided against headers. I was told that the return is definitely not worth the cost and hassle. They are a real bear to install on these motors and then you have to deal with loosening bolts, blown out gaskets, warped flanges etc. To top it off they do not provide much of a power gain unless you are blown. I was told this by not only a buddy who had Gibson Headers on his 4.6, but also a couple performance shops who should have been more than happy to take my cash.

 

Thanx roden
I was wondering if that was the case. What is the exhaust to go with(cat back or straight dual) that is one of the loudest but still decently quiet under light throttle but does not supposedly lost the low end grunt but does increase HP.
Thanx again now I won't fight it.

 

look into spintech exhaust i love the sound of mine !! i'm really sick of hearing flowmasters everyone has them .....plus flowmasters have a pretty loud drone in the cab especially if your going to tow something! http://www.spintechmufflers.com/spin...ntechindex.asp

 

Green_98,

That’ll work great for a carborated motor. These computer controlled, emission tuned multi port fuel injected motors just don’t like to be opened up too much. Now, if you are looking at a normal operating range of over 4000 rpms, then that’ll be the ticket. Since he wants to tow a 27’ TT that probably weighs a good #5000 all loaded up, he needs low end power more then anything.

6Jeff6,

To be loud, you have to just swap the muffler. I wouldn’t go with straight pipes if you are going to tow. Your ears will be ‘singing’ after an hour.

It’ll have to be a compromise if you want loud AND low end torque. I’m a bit biased on this anyway, I only wanted low end. I did want a ‘better’ sounding exhaust then the stock “vacuum cleaner” muffler, but still wanted it quiet for towing (and my neighbors…..)

As far as the intake goes, I just went with a drop in K&N filter, retaining the cold air intake from the fender. I’d much rather suck cold air then hot air, but that’s JMO.

If you go with duals AND tow a TT, you should not go straight out the back. Exhaust will just spew on the TT and leave stains or, if you have a canopy, you’ll get exhaust gases inside the canopy.

 

Thanx guys. I'm really looking at getting an exhaust that exits right infront of the rear tires. I've decided against the headers but want to get rid of the cats. Is that a good idea. I know it'll open up the exhaust but will it be too much and would it actually rob me of power? I'm not too worried about how loud it is cause I'll be able to idle away(I'm from northern WI so population pretty small LOL) or I could always put tips on.
Also would any kind of hotter spark add on help at all?
I'm really torn on the k&n thing, the hot air thing that mithchf150 put really caught my eye. Anymore info would be nice.
Sorry guys and gals for all the questions I'm just really new at this and I'm really struggling with what kind of mods to put on without blowing it up or robbing horsepower. I'm used to older carbuerated vechiles and I'm just lost. But I'll learn; with everyones help .
thanx
Jeff

 

Personally, I'd leave the cats alone. Some have found hi-flow cats and installed them (took the four stock cats out, put two hi-flow cats in). You really need some sort of cat because there are four O2 sensors. Two before the cats, two after. Each will send info to the computer and adjust a/f mixture accordingly. If it's too far off, I'll light the Check Engine light. There are also these 'fake' O2 sensors that will 'fool' the computer into thinking everything is OK, but I don't know of many using them.

You don't want to mess with the heat range of the plugs either. They run pretty lean as it is. Any hotter, and you'll have a hole in the piston.

Some have replaced the "Y" pipe with an aftermarket one from Flowmaster. Depends on who you ask on that one if it's helped. Most say it does and that they gained in the low end. But I've read that some have lost the low end too.......

Most of these exhaust mods are really only going to gain in the upper rpm range, IMO. My Gibson Swept Side did ok for me, but it's probably not what you are looking for in the sound department.

 

Thanx Mitch
You've been an unbelievable help in my quest to try to do this right. I'm trying to keep up with the info so I guess I'll have to go with a catback(I know it's just your opinion but you can't beat experience). I heard the 40 series is really loud so maybe I'll try that.
ROUSHFAN-1 I couldn't find a catback for a 1997 but thanx anyways and by the go Mark Martin(I've been a fan for 5 years I have some diecast of his new/old ones) and I'm a huge Mark fan Go 6!!!!!!!
Along with the k&n direct replacement filter.
Then the chip. Don't know which but I'll just guess and run with that one LOL.
Now to a suspension lift. I pretty much have the wifee talked into it so now I hafta start looking(specially since mitch is saving me $$$$$). I'm curious if I'll be able to put in a 5 or 4 inch lift myself. I've put in 3 inch block before but never a suspension. It would give me more money for the rims and tires.

If you guys or gals are getting sick of me just let me know. I just like the info you guys/gals can give, cause you learned from experience.
Thanx
Jeff

 

Well hears what I ordered!!!
power pulleys
poweraid
k&n FIPK Filter Kit
Flowmaster Force II Exhaust System
and a microtuner
thanx for all your help guys and gals I really appreciated it
I'll let ya know how everything goes and feels
Thanx
Jeff