For those that have done it, what is so much more difficult about it as opposed to long tubes? I'm assuming it's just getting them in place since they bow out more? Would it make it any easier with the tranny removed?

Thanks,
DamonH

 

I have a set on my 01 that were installed when it was brand new and thats all that were aviable i would really consider doing long tubes. The short tube headers the bolts are hard to get at and the time to install them was many hrs. Your choice i like mine. The trans being out might help a little dont know though
Bart

 

Well, I've never done long-tubes before so I can't help on a comparison, but I may be able to help with the shorties. I had mine out 3 times since Summit racing sent me some bad ones that leaked (made by PACER)..=CRAP ..anyhow the third attempt were the JBA's and they fit great. Never done Bassani's but here's a few general tips for ya. No tranny removal is necessary.
-Remove inner fenerwells, loosen the brackets for the ABS system where it attatches to the frame, and move it forward, out of the way to get the new headers in, just bend the lines a bit, it's ok they bend back.

-I left my stock cat-pipes intact, and used a pry bar to move them around a bit is all. At worst you can loosen the brackets if you had to. Removal not necessary though.

-I left as many of the stock studs in the heads as possible, but this entirely depends on the design of your headers and whether they will allow this.

-You also want to remove the dipstick tube by removing the bolt, and pulling straight upwards. When you install it back in you will have to put a bolt, or some washers between it and the engine.

These are a few tips/tricks that I hope help ya. Good luck!! BK

 

Thanks for the tips. I'm not doing long tubes because I might be able to get these for a great deal, and don't plan on going all out with my truck. I was thinking about doing it at the same time I swapped the tranny, which is why I asked about it being out. I didn't think about getting to the bolts, I can see that being a problem.

 

Unless your just installing them for the heck of it, I think your wasting your time and money. Our stock manifolds out flow what our mid pipes/ cats can flow and the stock exhaust in general can support some decent horsepower.
Don't install those expecting any real gains in performace! Long tubes are allmost unessary untill you start pushing 475rwhp or putting a KB or more airflow through a stock bottom end.
I'm not trying to be a party pooper but I hate seeing people waste good money on crap that's not needed.

PS. On stock manifolds and all 4 cats I ran a 11.83 @ 115mph with a Port and 6# lower and some other goodies.

 

Get yourself a 5/16 GearWrench brand wrench , i makes it a whole lot easier, done the install 4 times now, got it down to a couple of hours.

 

You may be right, but I'll expand a little more. I have a MP blower, but only plan on running a 4lber (might go to a 6lb, but only if my boost is less then 12lbs w/ the 4lber). I just want the truck to be a good street performer without sinking $10k into it and worrying everyday that my engine will ventilate. I think I should be able to get to around 450rwhp without worrying too much which would make me happy.

1). I have a Zeitronix wideband w/ O2, EGR, and boost. I've read a bunch, and everyone says the EGR in the stock manifolds isnt' worth a flip because the stock headers retain so much heat. Going to stainless shorties would solve this problem.

2). I have read accounts of people gaining a little horsepower with them, just not as much as long tubes. That being said, I've read plenty of accounts of people with long tubes not showing any gains. At least I'm only throwing away >$300 as opposed to $1k+.

3). I plan on either getting mid pipes or gutting my rear cats anyway, so that'll be where I'll see gains I'm sure (if any).

4). Just looking at the two (stock Vs. equal lenght shorties) you can't help but feel they help - even if it doesn't show on the graph.

This deal may not even work out, just wondering what I'm in for install wise if it does.

Thanks for all the advice & opinions!

 

the bassani's flow considerably more than the stock manifolds.
The reason people don't see the gains is that they are still running through the stock cats (all 4 of them) that is where the bottleneck is. With long tubes the stock cats are eliminated.

Plus the bassani's are equal length headers, I'm not sure if the long tubes are.

The install... Set aside about 2 days.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=bassani

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hlight=bassani

If you search under threads started by me and "bassani" you'll find a few more threads about this.

 

What proof do you have of this?

I had significant gains with my bassani headers and hi flow cats!

The reason why most don't see much gain is the bottleneck stock catalytic convertors all 4 of them, are still being used.
I had larger diameter custom midpipes with hi flow cats and baffles installed and it is much more responsive. From purchasing them, to having the midpipes fabbed up, to purchasing the hiflows, I still think I'm under $500.00

 

2 more thing, only because I'm in a pissed off mood!~
not at anyone on here, just in general


These are gibson shorty headers. Meaning they are NOT equal length headers. you want to tell me that stock menifold flows just as good as these(which flow considerable less than bassani's equal length headers)?




Last thing.
You realize that the stock manifolds that come on the lightning are the same part that come on the regular 5.4L F150 and Expendition.
Ford did nothing to account for the supercharger pushing all that air through the engine as comared to N/A form. Remembering that the more air an engine can flow the more power it makes, because essentially it is a damn air pump.

 

I refuse to get into a tampon flinging contest with you....

Good day.

 

Thanks L-Menace. I knew someone had posted a how-to but wasn't having much luck finding it. Looks like a major pain! I might check into see how much the local shop would charge me for install.

 

hey damon sent you a pm on nloc.

 

I have the full bassani exhaust. And I will tell you the Headers suck hind t!t to install. It took me two days. Although I love mine I will never ever do it again and they will never come off. And I will say it again Bassani headers w/ hiflow cats are no different than the longtubes w/ hiflow cats. The only plus over the longtubes is you are able to use your stock cats for those who have strict emissions.

 

FWIW- I installed the Dynatech longtubes and high flow cats on mine and it took about 3 hours and I have access to all the tools and lifts I need!
I didnt notice any power gains after the install, infact it felt like I lost some!
I had it tuned by JDM at FFW in Ennis with the superchips tuner after the install and holy crap,it made a big difference. But I also had the heads,intake and plenum ported before the headers and still on the old tune, so not sure exactly how much the headers added,but it was very noticable.
The truck is loud as hell now and sounds soooo good,get compliments on the sound all the time. Except for the poor souls on the right side of the truck when I hit the go pedal,it will part their hair to the right side of their head if their window is down!