Just wondering: Do you L guys pick up any performance with aftermarket headers as opposed to your stock exhaust. The reason that I ask is that I have manifolds on my R/T still (with a SC) and it seems to "like" the backpressure. Makes me want to save the $600 for something other than headers.

Thanks

Kevin
00 FR CC R/T w/SC
13.74 @ 100

 

R/T, no one has really shown a big hp increase with headers by themselves. maybe with a pully/nitrous/combo. i use supertrapps on my dodge blown/n2o'd V-10 to control backpressure and move hp/trq curves up or down, but it is full open exhaust, nothing between headers and supertrapp tips, but i still have to add backpressure

 

There is a guy on the PowerSurgePerformance board claming that a fellow he's worked with for a racing-L engine has a set of headers that will give about 42hp to a stock lightning... I dont' know if anyone else has tried them yet.

Daniel

 

I did Bassani headers and feel they are definately worth it if you have a chip and filter already. When you see the difference between the stock manifolds and headers you'll be amazed. There were some pics on the board that sixpipes took I think but even those photos dont do justice to the improvement. Exhaust note is also lowered somewhat. They dont have the most bang for the buck, but I'd do them again in a heartbeat. I think the stock manifolds are tremendously restrictive and the headers allow you to get the most out of any airflow mods you might do in the future.

 

Hey Kevin,

The one variable to consider is that while yes we do have manifolds on our motors...the exhaust system was still designed and tuned for a blower motor. Yours, more than likely, was not.

I have been running blowers on Mustangs (and also had a Vortech on a '94 Lightning) for over 8 years now and I've yet to see one of these make more power with more stock-like, restrictive exhaust vs. a well thought-out aftermarket system.

This is not to say to go get some 2" primary long tube headers. But, I bet if the system is set up right you would pick up considerable low-end and mid-range TQ and also top-end HP.

You'll still have some backpressure (unless you went WA 2 big...which in the tight confines of most of these engine bays would probably be difficult to do and get the headers to actually fit!), but the motor will breathe much better throughout the rev-range.

Exhaust improvements are always on my list of mods when I've helped someone set up a blower on a late-model v8 Mustang... and the results are always positive.

That being said, I've yet to witness anyone with an L pick up _serious_ power, but again, I believe part of that can be contributed to the fact that the exhaust system is probably a bit different than a regular N/A F-150.

Just my $.02.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--364rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

Hello,
I have long tube headers on my Lightning, 1.75 inch dia. equal length primaries and 3 inch dia. merge collectors. Did they make more horsepower yes as much as I wanted no - about 15 hp. I have made modifications to the intake including porting the adaptor which sits on top of the supercharge to revising the complete exhaust system. I believe that the restriction resides in the cylinder head and the valve size. In fact to test this out I have had some heads ported and polished and I know the flow data, now it is just a matter of testing them on the vehicle.

------------------
BABolt
SVT#290

 

Thanks for the replies. You guys are right about the R/T exhaust not being set up for forced induction. However, the reason that I ask about this is because my counterparts that DO have headers with SC's on their R/T's are not showing tremendously quicker times (if any) than me.

Here is what I have: Powerdyne 6psi SC; 180 stat; MSD6BTM; single in/dual out Magnaflow muffler; stock TB, manifolds, and street tires at 22psi. The result is 13.74 @ 100. Race weight is 4460#.

Kevin
00 FR CC R/T w/SC
13.74 @ 100

 

Ok, well at 6psi, you're not going to see much improvement with a full exhaust setup...not like what you would if you ran 8-10psi or more.

It's all "air in, air out", and quite possibly at 6psi, the stock setup is more than adequate.

Something else to consider...say, you upgrade your headers. You very well may see a boost _drop_ due to the less restrictive exhaust and the fact that now the air flows better through the heads. This also happens when people port their heads or go to superior aftermarket heads. So, you compensate by spinning the blower a little faster and increasing airflow. _THAT_ is where you'll see the extra power.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--364rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4 http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html



[This message has been edited by WA 2 FST (edited 08-22-2000).]

 

Hey R/T...

Head over to www.namotorsport.com and get you the "11# Powerdyne Superchager Pully" It makes 8PSI on my Dak... (the one we had stock was the 9# pully, they are rated at 5800 RPM...

If yer truck dosent have 24# injectors, get them and a 8:1 racalibration kit for the FMU...

About 3 days after I put the supercharger on, I ran it at the track and ran a 14.95 (yuck)
Next trip I went to the track, I ran a 14.10
Changes were: Hypertech PTM (Beta)
MP Puter (consistant shifts)
24# injectors (stock 12:1 FMU)
and the 8PSI (11# pully)

My Air / Fuel meter showed it going way rich with the 8PSI and 12:1 FMU on the 24# injectors

If I can help you in any way, shoot me an e-mail @ coolva@home.com

Tim Berry
Chesapeake, VA

 

BABOLT, how long are your primaries? Also did you split exhaust and change over to high flow cats? I have also just purchased SVO cylinder heads and they flow 53% more then stock heads direct from Ford no porting yet.Greg Holman seems to have gotten considerably better results from his long tube header then you have. We all know how that works but I am still trying to get accurate facts no matter how good or bad they may be. My new motor computer model indicates about 1200 CFM thru the motor if everything is right. This should equate to about 700 hp at the end of the day. Is your truck the one that has the trick looking SVO logo on the intake above the charger? Thanks

 

Hi 38 Top Gun,
Thats me with the SVT on the Intake adapter. I've ported everything on the intake side of my motor except the supercharger (doing that now). Also have a set of ported and polished heads (no on yet). About the headers, they have 33 inch long primaries (1.75 ID) and each tube is installed separately with the exception of cylinders 5&6 (they are paired). Again, each are 33 inches long with the exception of two which are 33.75 inches long. Computer modeling said that 33 inches would be the best length with this combination. Additionally, the collector is a merge style with a fire cone and everything mates to the exhaust system via marmon clamps. These are the best aerospace clamps and they do not leak. I have no cats and run two Borla mufflers it is quite at idle and also around town but when the hammer goes down and the pressure rises all hell breaks loose. I never hear blower whine. These headers are available and I do think that they are the finest that you can by for the Lightning. I don't think that I need to make any comparisons there are none. I've seen all the other headers out there. One last item in defense of the horsepower made with the headers. I had already rework my exhaust system (ie. no cats, two Borlas etc.) before the headers. One minor issue I do not run a balance tube or an x-pipe yet, this will cost horsepower. As we all know the quest for more horsepower is never ending. I am sorry I do not know who Greg is and I do not worry about other peoples claims. If something works for them that is fine with me.

------------------
BABolt
SVT#290

 

Just added a header photo. This is the header on my 1995 Mustang 4.6l 2 valve. It is an equal length 1.75 inch dia. primary. It is mild steel and uncoated at this time but I think that you can see the quality. I will post a photo of the Lightning headers next week.


------------------
BABolt
SVT#290

 

BABOLT,nice stuff! Anyone who even knows the word marmon is ok in my book. I own an aerospace company that lives and dies by the marmon and other type flanges. The headers are obviously nicely done. Greg for your reference is the header man for the FORD factory racing group. Your stuff looks every bit as nice and our numbers indicated 32"-33" primaries. The big question how did you get around ther 02 sensors without the cats. If you can let me in on this one I will call you the almighty one! If youre interested in my new motor for the lightning let me know I will keep you up to date, I'm sure that we will have lots of explosions bfore this thing is finished. Also is the intake machined or? Thanks

 

Forgot to ask in all of the excitement.Where can I buy the headers with flanges etc. Thanks

 

38 top gun
Hi. Here is the information for Custom Fabricated Headers. This url will become a web site for these headers. The owners name is Steve Smith and he does great fabrication work. http://mikesmotorsport.virtualave.net/cfh.htm
The web site is still under development so no comments please I'm not done yet.
I use an Inject-Tech chip and it takes care of all of my issues. The intake adapter was cut open and a friend milled the letters into a half inch piece of billet stock and it was welded back in after I cleaned up the inside.

Yes please do keep us informed on your engine development. Also if you would like to e-mail me I can be reached at: mphillips@mediaone.net

------------------
BABolt
SVT#290



[This message has been edited by BABolt (edited 08-27-2000).]