Hello all, I have a quick question for any of you all that have
headers on your trucks or have done reasearch on this subject. I'm considering purchasing headers for my 97 4.6 SuperCab. I'm not ashamed to admit I don't know very much about this subject at all. My question is (Short and Simple) Quality, Sound, Hp, Economical, what do you guys/girls recommend. I have checked into this a little and have some brands in mind, just thought I would kick it around hear and see what you all say. I will say this I don't mind spending a fair amount on these if neccesary but would not like to spend any more than need be. Not trying to make a show truck, just want mine to sound a little better than it already does. Please look at my signature below of my current mods. Hopefully this will help you tell me what would be the best for me. Thanks guys/girls for all you time, This is truley a KICK A@# Site. Thanks Kerk

 

I went with the Gibson SS shorty headers. If I were buying again I would also have gotten them ceramic coated. The ceramic coating makes the headers flow better , keeps under hood temperature lower and they look better.

You want to make sure that the main flange is at least 1/4 in. This keeps the gasket from blowing out like on the old headers. This is standard design now.

The SS is a must, dont even think of carbon steel.

Headers are a lot of work to put on and the performance increase is not that dramatic( I would put them on again)

Check with Diablo and make sure you are within design flow adding headers. You could lean out your engine with the combo that you have and headers. I was marginal on my computer with headers and I added a Superchip that compensated for the headers.

With the mods that you have headers should work good but dont expect much change in the way the truck sounds. I had a very slight increase in engine noise adding headers.

Good luck

 

This topic has been discussed at length on this site. There are those who wouldn't bother with them and others who wouldn't be without them. My personal opinion is that if you have most of the basic mods (FTPK, exhaust, chip etc.) you will like what headers do for you. If headers are going to be your first or only mod you likely won't notice much difference. Assuming you have made up your mind to put them on. I would recommend JBA shorties that are ceramic coated. You don't need the black ceramic coating unless you are in a full race situation. The satin coat should be fine. The headers in and of themselves won't make your truck much louder. The combination of the headers and your muffler choice can however make it sound pretty good. Unfortunately even with the mufflers off when running through 4 cats they just aren't too loud. You may see an improvement in fuel economy also. The amount of H.P. you actually get out of this mod is directly related to the other mods you have already installed. Sorry I can't be any more specific than that.

 

I just wanted to Thank You all for your help on this, However Keep the suggestions comming. I do realize that I will need to check with Diablo and more than likely have my chip reprogramed. Are you guys saying that for the money they cost there not really worth it. I understand that my muffler choice and CAT Back will help but what I read doesn't sound really enthustiastic. Don't mind my spelling. I really would appreciate your further help on this subject. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Rolling Rock,

I don't think that this is what I am saying. In fact my JBA's showed up on Tuesday and I will be installing them on Friday. The point I was trying to make is that there are other mods out there that will give you the same kind of H.P. and cost less than headers. Having said that, I've about run out of bolt on mods short of going to a non NA motor. Headers is one of the mods I have left to do.

 

Hey Bud, Thanks again for all your help!!! I'm sorta in the same boat you are as far as Mods go. I mean I guess I have a couple yet to do, but some I'm not sure I wanna do. I will deffinetly be going with the JBA's. I have heard alot of great stuff about them other then there cost as compared to others. However I look at it this way you pay for what you get. Well, Thanks again for all your help and let me know what you think of your headers when you get them installed Friday. I will proabaly be ordering mine sometime this week. I will however have a local 4x4 Shop istall them. As I said I don't know very much when it gets in to this stuff, and I have heard many horror stories. Ps. Don't forget to get back to me and let me know, I can't wait to hear how you like them. ROLLING ROCK 1978