Pulling the trigger on JBA headers. parts check please.

[clint440]

https://www.amazon.com/aFe-Power-Tw...--------3-1&vehicleName=2019+Ram+1500+Classic

What do you all think about these AFE shorty headers?

I almost used AFE but went Doug Thorley (limited availability). If you go with AFE, order the next truck generation up as it's 304 stainless not 409 and looks like the same design whether it's LT or shorties.

Remflex gaskets and a ratchet wrench are good investments regardless of your choice. I would think the header supplied bolts would be fine especially with remflex gaskets since less torque is required.

 

[El_Dude]

I almost used AFE but went Doug Thorley (limited availability). If you go with AFE, order the next truck generation up as it's 304 stainless not 409 and looks like the same design whether it's LT or shorties.

Remflex gaskets and a ratchet wrench are good investments regardless of your choice. I would think the header supplied bolts would be fine especially with remflex gaskets since less torque is required.

Hi. What is the difference of the 304 and 409, is it different metal hardness or something?

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[clint440]

Hi. What is the difference of the 304 and 409, is it different metal hardness or something?

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Higher quality, more rust resistant. But usually more expensive.

https://www.reliance-foundry.com/blog/304-vs-409-stainless-steel#gref

 

[El_Dude]

If they are not listed fitting my model, how can I be sure they fit?

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[roadrnnr]

I also installed JBA stainless ceramic coated shorty's with remflex gaskets and the bolts that came with the headers about 3 years ago. Zero issues so far.

No Need to use or pay for other bolts. They are only torqued to 18 flbs. The Remflex gaskets will hold them tight

Make sure you get the ceramic coated though if you live in any snow country and maybe somewhere besides amazon. I think I got mine from moes and they were shipped direct from the JBA Factory to me.

Mine are on the third winter in VT and still look new with no problems

 

[Wild one]

If they are not listed fitting my model, how can I be sure they fit?

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Any header listed from 14 up with the 8 speed transmission will fit your truck.Sometimes web sites don't get updated,but the trucks haven't changed as far as header fitment from the 14's up if they're equipped with the 8 speed.The earlier trucks and even the later trucks equipped with the 5 or 6 speed transmission sometimes have a differant midpipe because of the transmission differances

 

[El_Dude]

I live in Houston, Tx it never snows here but humidity is pretty high most of the time. Man I'm torn now on the jba's or the afe shorties. Obviously I prefer to spend less money but i want a quality part that will last many years. My truck is an everyday commuter not going to really push the gas pedal hard unless I'm passing on the freeway. I guess I have some thinking to do to decide. Thanks all for your input. I'll be deciding on the next couple days what to get.

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[ScLeCo]

I live in Houston, Tx it never snows here but humidity is pretty high most of the time. Man I'm torn now on the jba's or the afe shorties. Obviously I prefer to spend less money but i want a quality part that will last many years. My truck is an everyday commuter not going to really push the gas pedal hard unless I'm passing on the freeway. I guess I have some thinking to do to decide. Thanks all for your input. I'll be deciding on the next couple days what to get.

AFE

 

[clint440]

Not saying to buy from here but this website has all the various brands to compare:

https://www.garagefloorracing.com/collections/ram-shorty-headers-y-pipe

If you are doing the work yourself I'd say you are better off going LTs. A lot of work involved and you might be disappointed with the results of shorties in terms of performance and fit. LTs are work but depending on the brand they might actually fit better in terms of clearance vs. shorties and are a serious upgrade in performance.

I also understand in maintaining a budget and desire to bolt in to the original Y pipe. So if I had to go shorty, I'd figure out how to make the DT shorties work (304 stainless, ceramic coated, 14 gauge). Or see if the Kooks are still on sale on that website. The DT shorties require a modification to the factory Y and the Kooks while nice might have clearance issues with the motor mounts. The AFE LTs get good reviews but mixed reviews on their shorties.

 

[El_Dude]

I almost used AFE but went Doug Thorley (limited availability).

Are you using the Thorley shortys or LT? how long have you had them and how have they been holdin up? Looks like that website has them at a pretty good price, $765.

I found this note on vividracing.com for these headers:
***This product is for Racing Competition only and is not legal for use in highway or street vehicles or other non-racing competition off-road vehicles***

Do you all think they will give any issue on Vehicle inspection/emission testing in Texas?

Summit racinfg offers free shipping on them...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dte-thy-183-ss-c

 

[El_Dude]

The DT shorties require a modification to the factory Y

Do you know what the mod is for the ypipe, and do you mean only for the afe shorties?

 

[bchap05]

I didn't have a set budget, but I didn't want to spend so much money either. But if I had to put a number, maybe $1K. I live in Houston, Tx so yes do emission test, but i don't believe it's as strict as like California. With LT, would I have to take to a muffler shop to put the y-pipe farther back? I was hoping to get something that bolted right up without cutting into exhaust.

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Always been curious how that works or how you can get around emissions. I'd rather get long tubes, if I do it i want some performance. I live where we have emissions as well but its not strict, they don't inspect your car or anything. Plug it in for few minutes then go.

 

[clint440]

Do you know what the mod is for the ypipe, and do you mean only for the afe shorties?

The mod is for the DT shorties. Refer to the PDF instructions on there website.

http://www.dougthorleyheaders.com/t...ruck-t304-short-tube-headers-(2wd-only)_15920

I elected to use the LT DT Tri Y headers that comes with a bolt in non-catted y pipe. So no experience with the shorty, you would have to factor in if the Y pipe modification is worth the trouble. But a high quality product at that price deserves consideration. I think all the shorties manufacturers have there drawbacks so it's just a matter of weighing pros and cons in relation to price.

 

[clint440]

Are you using the Thorley shortys or LT? how long have you had them and how have they been holdin up? Looks like that website has them at a pretty good price, $765.

I found this note on vividracing.com for these headers:
***This product is for Racing Competition only and is not legal for use in highway or street vehicles or other non-racing competition off-road vehicles***

Do you all think they will give any issue on Vehicle inspection/emission testing in Texas?

Summit racinfg offers free shipping on them...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dte-thy-183-ss-c

I used the DT LT. They are holding up great and would use them again. Keep in mind, I'm not running CATs.

 

[El_Dude]

Ok thanks for your input. It is much appreciated.

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[El_Dude]

Will installing headers give me a check engine light?

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[RedSRT4Me]

Will installing headers give me a check engine light?

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Depends on if the cats are fooled into being happy or if cats are directly installed behind the manifold or header.

As long as the O2 sensor voltage remains within its tolerance min/max no CEL will be displayed "in a very simplified"

 

[joesstripclub]

I installed Kooks shorties. Bolt up installation, no check engine lights, no exhaust mods, and 304 stainless. Looks like they have gone up a good amount since I bought them in April and now they offer jet hot coating.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/kooks-shorty-headers-installed.162077/

 

[El_Dude]

I installed Kooks shorties. Bolt up installation, no check engine lights, no exhaust mods, and 304 stainless. Looks like they have gone up a good amount since I bought them in April and now they offer jet hot coating.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/kooks-shorty-headers-installed.162077/

Nice. Thanks. Yep I think I got my mind set on the Kooks after much research. I was gonna go with the AFEs until I was educated on the 304/409 thing. I didn't want to have to spend more time finding someone to cut and paste the y-pipe to fit other shorties using 304.

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[Nick@GotExhaust]

Nice. Thanks. Yep I think I got my mind set on the Kooks after much research. I was gonna go with the AFEs until I was educated on the 304/409 thing. I didn't want to have to spend more time finding someone to cut and paste the y-pipe to fit other shorties using 304.

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Kooks makes a very good product. Their shorties are probably the best flowing shorty out there, and quality is awesome. Let us know if we can help. We offer great pricing on Kooks