Has anyone installed headers on a 5.4? If so what kind & what was the outcome....any advise would be greatly appreciated!!

 

You can expect 35-50hp gains, louder deeper exhaust, and manifold leaks if your not careful. If you purchase headers make sure that you buy the best gasket kits you can get your hands on, trust me you will thank yourself later.

 

I believe the gains are more like 15 hp (troyer's site).

I have JBA headers installed and I think I got more of a gain from each of my other mods (except the catback), but that may be from the order of install...

mods in order of install = Magnaflow catback, headers, superchip, air force 1 intake, ported/polished throttle body & elbow....superchip & intake were installed the same day as the headers with a testdrive between each install.

If you go for headers, reuse the stock gaskets & invest in stage8 locking header bolts.



edit: Oh yeah - mine's an 01 screw with the 5.4l

 

"...35-50 hp..."

<<Cough>>bull*****<<cough>>

I think Troyer's numbers are even a little optomistic. Stock manifolds flow quite well - they support the HP of a Lightning. Be happy if you get 10hp - be very happy if you get 15hp.

 

I tried 2 sets on my last truck. They're way down my list on HP per $$$.

 

did i read that correct? the lightning manifolds are the same as the ones on my 01 5.4?? if they are the same maybe headers will be a waste of $$.

i've read that replacing the cats/pre cats with high flow cats will give greater gains...buts that what i've read.

 

I was thinkin the same thing about the high flow cats. Anyone have any experience? Also, I saw on the Troyer site where if you go with the magnaflow high flow cats that you replace the four from the factory with only two magnaflows. I thought I read a post the other day where someone said this messed up their O2 sensor reading, causing the engine light to come on. Anyone's comments appreciated.

 

Yes, you read correctly; they are the same exact part #. Lightnings with shorty headers also go "ZERO" quicker at the track.

 

15rwhp even sounds optimistic. Maybe at the flywheel....

 

go longtubes- high flow cats-x-pipe- true duals=on that l i've seen dynoed- 35 rwhp and 51 ftlbs torque gains with my own eyes-phil

 

That ain't exactly the same as a set of "shorties", is it?

 

so does anybody know if you can replace the four cats with two from troyer I wanted to do the cats but I dont want idiot lite to come on were I live there is not emission inspection. magnaflow cat back If I dont have to spend the big bucks for the headers leaves more money for the pulleys.

 

thanks for the help

 

seems like NOBODY likes switcging out headers...

Still trying to figure out the cat switchout, is the time and money worth the gains?

 

i tested my backpressure of strock cats on my 03 f150 5.4- at 5300rpms under load- the back presuure of each bank-2 cats- was only a tad over 1psi- not worth the extra 3-5 hp under wot-phil