Headers

[Hemi450hp]

Every header, including shorties, requires you to remove the dipstick tube to install the driver side header.

 

[Wahrsuul]

Well, that sucks. What a PITA.

 

[smiley]

I did the BBK shorties with new factory gaskets as I thought they would be easier to put in. They still took my guy forever. He had to first extract 4 broken bolts/ studs from the stock manifolds then install them. He said they fit pretty bad and required him to loosen motor mounts and move the dipstick. He was pretty annoyed with how ****** they went in. Now they are in they seem pretty good and hopefully one break the stage 8 bolts like all the factory ones kept doing for me. Be prepared to spend many hours getting them in after getting the old stuff out. They do bolt up pretty well to stock exhaust and no mods. I didn’t do it for power so no clue on that.

 

[KLEEEEN]

I went long tubes with a Magnaflow Y pipe got rid of the cats and got a top of the line Diablosport tuner. The great thing for me is we do not have emission tests, the other great thing is the smell the truck puts out. It reminds me of my Pops 72 Ford Ranchwagon in 1982 and it was not good, rusted to shiat and a motor that spit fire out the carb when we had to open the butterflies as he tried to start the car first thing in the morning. He always had to drop me off right in front of the high school I attend instead of around the corner. I guess that is why I buy new and never ever keep a vehicle more than 3 years The R/T may be an exception.

 

[Wahrsuul]

I wasn't looking for major power gains, just something to alleviate the broken bolts syndrome. I was hoping the shorties would be an easier install, but it doesn't sound like it. Guess at that point it's all about cost. I don't have a garage, so I'd probably have to have a shop do this for me.

 

[Openclasspro]

Better power low to mid with long tubes ️

 

[Robocop_9]

I wasn't looking for major power gains, just something to alleviate the broken bolts syndrome. I was hoping the shorties would be an easier install, but it doesn't sound like it. Guess at that point it's all about cost. I don't have a garage, so I'd probably have to have a shop do this for me.

Shorties are not hard to install. I did mine in my driveway by myself with hand tools.


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[Dirtyblackhoe]

I just had BBK's put on my truck (2011 Ram) and the shop said they went in perfectly fine and seemed to be a quality part. I didn't care about more power, but I was tired of the broken manifold bolts and couldn't handle the ticking anymore. Now I have only put about 50 miles on it since then, but no complaints.

 

[ramportin1]

Headers will by NO means prevent broken bolts! Don't get the wrong info here and think it will lol.

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[Dirtyblackhoe]

Headers will by NO means prevent broken bolts! Don't get the wrong info here and think it will lol.

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Isn't it a far better option and better bolts to prevent the broken bolts?

 

[ramportin1]

Isn't it a far better option and better bolts to prevent the broken bolts?

Better option performance wise yes, longevity wise meh no not really as far as header vs manifold... old school cast iron headers can match manifolds in durability but i believe only ford makes cast iron headers now days (i could be wrong here.) but a manifold is cast iron and durable as all hell and almost never warps at the cost of restrictive flow of course. shoot manifolds go 20+ years without warping to the point of a leak all the time lol a stainless header isnt doing that. stainless headers warping over time especially on a DD is a common issue (of course heres a part where quality of product comes into play.) but obviously provide better flow and performance then stock manifold.

As far as the bolts go they break because of continuous expanding and shrinking of the metals from duty cycles. aluminum heads increases the wear during these "duty cycles" on the bolts. for a while the bolts will expand and shrink with the manifold but eventually fall behind and being stressed to the point of breaking. This is still going to happen with headers, and the bolts can still break over time. Its most common on engines with aluminum heads. A quality header bolt kit will hold up and possibly outlive OEM, but by no means can prevent themselves from breaking. i have seen/heard of multiple quality header bolts broken however

 

[Dirtyblackhoe]

Ramsportin1

Thank you for the in depth response and for the explanation. Makes perfect sense when seeing it written that way.

 

[ramportin1]

Ramsportin1

Thank you for the in depth response and for the explanation. Makes perfect sense when seeing it written that way.

Well thanks for the thanks lol, and to clarify.... i am replacing my broken manifold bolts with long tube headers lol ordering tomorrow and it is a daily driver also

 

[Dirtyblackhoe]

Well thanks for the thanks lol, and to clarify.... i am replacing my broken manifold bolts with long tube headers lol ordering tomorrow and it is a daily driver also

Hahahaha...I drive like a grandpa and need more gear than I do HP so I opted to go with the Shortys to get rid of those terrible factory ones. I surely hope I don't regret it.

Figured I got the headers new for $200, so that would save money for exhaust and maybe some 3.92-4.10 gears down the line.

 

[ramportin1]

Hahahaha...I drive like a grandpa and need more gear than I do HP so I opted to go with the Shortys to get rid of those terrible factory ones. I surely hope I don't regret it.

Figured I got the headers new for $200, so that would save money for exhaust and maybe some 3.92-4.10 gears down the line.

naaaa i doubt youll regret it. i also have been told by literally every rider in my truck i drive like a old lady lol im just addicted to being ridiculously loud

OP: apologies, back to your thread

 

[theviking]

Better option performance wise yes, longevity wise meh no not really as far as header vs manifold... old school cast iron headers can match manifolds in durability but i believe only ford makes cast iron headers now days (i could be wrong here.) but a manifold is cast iron and durable as all hell and almost never warps at the cost of restrictive flow of course. shoot manifolds go 20+ years without warping to the point of a leak all the time lol a stainless header isnt doing that. stainless headers warping over time especially on a DD is a common issue (of course heres a part where quality of product comes into play.) but obviously provide better flow and performance then stock manifold.

The Mustang 5.0 has used a shorty style tubular header since 2011. The F150 5.0 uses a 2-into-1 manifold that I suppose you could call a header but it's always listed as manifold. Never heard of any warping issues (or breaking bolts for that matter) so as mentioned I think it just depends on the quality and thickness of the stainless.

 

[bassheadhemi]

Better option performance wise yes, longevity wise meh no not really as far as header vs manifold... old school cast iron headers can match manifolds in durability but i believe only ford makes cast iron headers now days (i could be wrong here.) but a manifold is cast iron and durable as all hell and almost never warps at the cost of restrictive flow of course. shoot manifolds go 20+ years without warping to the point of a leak all the time lol a stainless header isnt doing that. stainless headers warping over time especially on a DD is a common issue (of course heres a part where quality of product comes into play.) but obviously provide better flow and performance then stock manifold.

As far as the bolts go they break because of continuous expanding and shrinking of the metals from duty cycles. aluminum heads increases the wear during these "duty cycles" on the bolts. for a while the bolts will expand and shrink with the manifold but eventually fall behind and being stressed to the point of breaking. This is still going to happen with headers, and the bolts can still break over time. Its most common on engines with aluminum heads. A quality header bolt kit will hold up and possibly outlive OEM, but by no means can prevent themselves from breaking. i have seen/heard of multiple quality header bolts broken however

Are you saying the OEM manifold on our truck don't wrap? I can show you mine and when I put them back to back they don't sit flush together. Now were they wrap from day one, that I don't know...

 

[ramportin1]

Come on guys really? I never once said cast iron will never warp.... I said it's more resilient to warping vs SS and that is a simple fact. I also stated ford DOES use cast iron not SS ( newer ones I can't speak on, and I should s0ecify when I say ford I mean trucks, mustang I know nothing about.) 05 5.4L triton has a stock cast iron shorty style header for example and yes the 5.4L DOES have a pretty common issue of breaking bolts... again it's a engine with aluminum heads.

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[ramportin1]

Stainless steel will warp quicker and more vs cast iron over time from constant heat cycles, it's a fact.

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[ramportin1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbE9D04m80

see, common problem. it aint just a ram thing