With availability to get 5.0L headers from FMS gone, the search for an aftermarket company is under way. I talked to one company www.ssheaders.com and they expressed that they would want about 30 people interested and would not be able to start the project until later this fall. I did not get any info on the price, but I would guess that aftermarket headers will be in the $300-$400 range, give or take.

This thread is not to start the project with any specific company, just to find out what the level of interest is. If you know of someplace that makes headers, contact them, reference this thread, see what they can do and let us know.

So if you are ready to install a set, going to in the future, or just thinking about it, post a message.

I am very interested in headers for my 1997 5.0L, I have been looking for them for a while now! I want to do a full true dual exhaust, including higfh flow cats to replace the stock 4!!!! Let me know about any deals or leads.

I think I might have a leak on my passenger side, so I might consider getting some if they dont charge both arms and both legs.. I need at least 1 of each to drive

I could have sworn I read somewhere a header swap would make no diff on the 5.0? even if not it seems to me by looking at the OEMS that they dump the 1st 2 cylinders through the same pipe that the 3rd cyl. is on so it seems like it'd be very restrictive..

After I put my FMS headers on it seemes more responsive on the freeway... I also know a guy thats looking at trying to build some headers for the 5.0's right now... I'll try and keep you guys informed on the progress of that...

I would buy a pair.

Seems like I post the same thing in every header thread.:D

Yes, butin this post, we hope to convince a manufacturor that a lot of us X guys want headers, and I am sure a lot more will want then as they acquire for sale 95+ Explorer's. Email me guys and I will start a list of people(name, email address if you want, headers wanted) for explorers and we wil see what happens...

count me in.

count me in! I have posted several things on this and have contacted many header companys... they all wanted $1000 plus or didnt even want to bother.

The thing is... we need something better then the crappy FMS ones.... we need a real header!! 1 5/8 to 1 3/4" primaries... all seperate... not joining ones like the FMS headers.


I could have sworn I read somewhere a header swap would make no diff on the 5.0

------------- I cant believe our trucks even run with the factory headers... have you ever removed one and looked at it???!!!!! When I went to install my FMS headers i could not believe my eyes after seeing the original ford headers

keep us updated!!

Im in...

I e-mailed them a while ago and never got a responce.... so I just e-mailed them again... letting them know that we are really interested. I need headers bad.... my FMS ones are really holding me back in making HP!!!

yes I've seen the oem heders, I agree with you, I can't beleive the engine even runs like this.. I mean it dumps the 1st 2 cylinders THROUGH the 3rd cylinders port... it seems to me that would severley choke the 3rd one down signifigantly

but I dunno, I coyuld have sworn someone on this forum said not to bother looking into headers cos they make no performance difference, considering they will potentially cost $400, thats an awful lot for no performance difference.. but if they were wrong.. I mean.. my factory header on the passenger side clicks, so I guess it has a hole in it, 2nd time since 1997 so.. I would definatley like to consider these aftermarket ones just for that reason if not performance

i think you are thinking of the V-6 guys.... if I remember correctly they are the ones that said headers for the V-6 did nothing.

Depending on price i may be interested.

Don't be too hard on those 5.0 FMS headers. I have a pair and have checked milage twice, towing a travel trailer on two hard 600 miles plus trips. Conservatively, I have picked up 1.0-1.5 real world miles per gallon increase while towing. Yep, the exterior looks wierd but they work a lot better than the stock OE headers! Mike

I agree.... the FMS headers are much better then the factory ones.. no dought about it.... but with 11lbs of boost they are not helping at all. I need my engine to breath a little better and right now my headers are my week link.

the FMS headers are fine if your motor is stock. if you've got boost, heads, cam, etc, they are a restriction.

Are they going to be short or long tube? Can we get rid of the cats and use those MIL thingies that plug into the O2 sensor harness and keep the "check engine light off". I'm interested if the price is reasonable, there're ceramic coated or stainless, and it's quality construction.

The guy I know is attempting to produce some 1 5/8" long tubes...

I would assume that any company that would take on this project would make shorty headers, something that would bolt in place of the factory ones. There would just be a bigger market in a street-legal header. I am sure anybody would gladly coat the headers for a little extra $$$.

I would prefer long tube. I have a Mustang buddy who has a set of 5.0 long tube headers that I could have, so when I actually own a 5.0 X (soon I hope) I can see what amount of cutting and welding would be involved to make them fit. If it were too much work I would probably be better buying a weld up kit and making my own set. If shorty headers were available I would bolt them in.

I did email ssheaders yesterday to see if I could get some price range and have not herd back yet.

I am in, but like everyone in this thread, it depends on price and features. I'm NA so shorties would be a-ok, but I'm doing a complete exhaust system anyway so long tubes would be best!!!

I contacted Gibson a while back. They said they do plan on making headers for 5.0's. They just didn't have a timeline yet, this was 4 or 5 months ago.
Maybe everyone should start flooding their e-mail servers. ;) sales@gibsonperformance.com

Lou.

Guys it will probably be a while before anyone has a set of longtubes for these trucks. I got back to making mine this weekend and There is just no room. With the starter and A/C box on RHS and the steering shaft on the LHS, not to mention the trans, it is really tight. I am using the engine / frame setup you can see on my picture page. I just hope I don't hit the A/C box or the dash panel when I am complete (as they are not in my jig.).

Anyway, the biggest problem is going to be getting them on the truck. I think I will need to either remove the engine or at least heads to get them in. Otherwise, I could always pull the cab to fit them. With that said, no company is going to try to mass produce headers than need that kind of work to install - nobody would buy them. (well at least very few).

For my project, I went and bought 2 sets of 1 5/8" Flowtech mustang headers from Summit. These were ~$100 a pair and are 16 guage steel. I will make the headers then send off for JetHot coating inside and out to try and reduce engine compartment heat. I hoped to have them near complete by now, but it looks like it will be a while yet.

Count me in. Considering the estimate to replace one side, I'd just as well replace both with something better constructed than the OEM tibes. There seems to be a hole in my passenger side exhaust manifold. I have noticed a slight pfffft-ing under acceleration. Such a leak was verified when VA state safety inspection performed the ol' block the tailpipe test. Having failed the inspection, VA requires the problem to be fixed within 15 days. Dealer estimate comes in at $850 with $425 being just the part cost of the right side manifold!

Sheet metal engineering on exhaust manifolds may be the final reason not to invest in a Ford product again. I still have not addressed the broken blend door problem which got me fairly pissed off a few months ago.

Could this be a weekend driveway project with a salvage yard replacement manifold??? Any suggestions????

The headers in a 5.0 are pretty darn easy to get to/change. Take out the inner fender lining.. and remove the tire. You're good to go. I'd plan about 2hrs per side to be safe.

Man.. I still can't believe they stopped making headers. Where's the sense in that?? :(

The fender well and tire are obvoiusly no problem. Its the heavily rusted manifold bolts which look to be stubborn. What about the AC? I've recently learned that the Haynes manual states that the AC needs to be removed before accessing the manifold to pipe flange.

Originally posted by wlederle
The fender well and tire are obvoiusly no problem. Its the heavily rusted manifold bolts which look to be stubborn. What about the AC? I've recently learned that the Haynes manual states that the AC needs to be removed before accessing the manifold to pipe flange.

Nope. I've installed headers a few times on V8 Explorers. No A/C removal or anything. My bolts were always fairly easy to remove too. Just make sure you have plenty of different length extensions and some of those trick 90 degree elbow deals. :D

Here's a couple pics so you can see just how explosed the headers are with the well clear. The come-along makes it easy to install FMS headers because they are a little (3/8") longer than the stock manifolds and with one person it is tough to hold the collector back to install the headers.

Ok. That makes it a little less daunting considering the AC can remain un-disturbed. So the burning question is: where on earth can I find a set of FMS's??? Would a salvage yard save an exhaust manifold when yanking a motor?

They are on ebay all the time. I actually think someone is selling some in the FOR SALE TRADE WANTED section here.

the longtubes on TROLL are very nice and fit like a glove. When I was over though he said the guy that mad them would never make them that cheap again because they were a pain in the a$$. It can be done but its $1000 plus everywhere i look.

I emailed ssheaders again and still no response.

I have been looking hard for a 5.0 X to buy and I find that most are 4.0’s. Originally I thought that there would be a lot more of a need for headers for these vehicles but I am beginning to be less optimistic, seeing there are a lot fewer of them. I wonder how many 5.0’s are out there?

tmsko, thanks for you’re info on making some long tube stang headers fit. Being short of time that option will not work for me, plus I do not have a jig. Also comparing short tube stang headers to a picture of FMS Explorer headers, there is a lot of difference so converting those would be time consuming.

If all goes well I should pick up a 5.0 this weekend and I guess that I will have stock manifolds on it until I get some more time or some company makes a set. Maybe I will find a set of FMS on ebay.

I will post if ssheaders gets back to me.

just wanted to add myself to this discussion as i have a 5.0X and may be interested in headers.

I've got a 5.0 and I am still very interested in FMS or custom headers since I want to replace my single flowmaster with a true dual exhaust as well as get rid of those 4 stock cats for 2 high flow ones! We've got to keep exploring all options for this. We have at least 15 people in this thread and more in the forum that would probably buy 5.0 headers, it's just a matter of who wants the $ for the effort...:rolleyes:

After making further progress last night, it looks like I will need to make a 4-tube flange set for the drivers side header, to split it in two, just under theoil pan. If I don't do this, the only way I can install them is if I pull my engine. I will post some more pictures when I get back to it, but it will sit idle until next week.

Looks like a decent set of short tubes is the best option. I may look to build those later, after I complete these long tubes.

blk mk8 mentioned a few months ago about maybe producing a nice big short tube set if enough were interested. i think we have enough here interested. ;)

Yea, a reply from ssheaders. This is a reply to my email asking what the price would be.


Tim
We can't give you a price until we see the vehicle and figure out what amount of material and work is involved in these headers. Ball park might be in the $400 range without ceramic coating.
Thanks
Betty

I'd go in on it. Mine came with the cast iron manifold "header." Strangest exhaust manifold I've ever seen in terms of shape and position.

BTW, is it true that some came with stainless steel headers from the factory (like the Mustang)? I've heard that on previous threads.

Yes, the original explorers had stainless tubular manifolds. The cast iron manifolds were new in 1999 or 2000. I am suprized you have them on a 1998. Is there any chance they were replaces and one time?

I am the second owner, so I guess it is possible. Why would Ford "advance" to cast iron? Don't the ss headers flow better than an iron manifold?

The material of the manifold has very little to do with flow. Flow is more to do with inside diameter of the passages. If the cast manifolds are the same or bigger, they could flow as well or better than the tubular.

As for why did Ford advance to cast iron. I am not sure, but my number one guess would be cash dollars! Imagine all the work involved in cutting and welding up individual tubes vs. pouring a casting. Big cost save in that change.

Now, as for these $400 headers, JUMP ON IT. I have $200 into mine already and that was just to buy two sets of headers to cut up for the bends. I will still end up buying some more tubing and flanges. Then my time. I will probably have ~40 hours into them when done. I have never made headers before, but there is alot of time fitting, tacking in place, breaking off, refitting, etc.. For $400 that is a bargain. Just be carefull that he take his time to do it right. There is very little room in there, thus not much room for air flow. You don't want you truck to burn to the ground due to your new headers.

How much of gain in HP and Torque do you get from these header? Is it noticable? I would love to get some if it were worth it in noticable power.


Greg

Just a note about the cast iron manifolds. My 98 came with them as well. I have known this truck since new and they were never changed.

I doubt they flow any better than the earlier tubular parts since they are very restricted around the flange area in order to provide clearance for the mounting bolts. In theory the cast will hold the heat in better thus increasing exhaust velocity. Having compared them first hand to the FMS parts, I think the FMS headers are still an improvement.

Absolutely are the FRPP headers better than the stock cast and tubular manifolds. I was comparing the cast manifolds to the stock tubular manifolds.

The FRPP headers are decent improvement over stock, noticable, but not anything to write home about. Also, you can no longer buy them, so kind of a moot point.

Has anybody checked with JBA to see if they would make headers for the V-8 guys?

I picked up a 5.0 Explorer. Sure wish I could put some headers on it.

Me want some headers.

1 5/8 shorty or mid length

Has anyone thought of contacting THE OTHER GUYS headers? They make headers for Grand Prix's and other 3800 engines but may possibly be interested in producing for a new group of people.

simcik

Just another gut interested if the headers are ever made.

Andy

Has anyone seen the headers listed at CHEAPEXHAUST .COM? I just did a search and found some made by flowtech P.N.48200 $180.92 says they are in stock. I will have to call them and verify this.

I looked into those beecause i found them listed on severa sites... after asking around they are not really for an explorer and dont fit :(

my brother is selling his custom headers with exhaust up to the mufflers if any one is interested. i will still do the big tube shorties but i must finish my mark VIII headers first then i will get to them hopfully next month or so.

How much does he want for the headers.

Jed

oreokid220@aol.com

What he asking for em?

I'm interested.

and what were the specs again? 1 3/4 headers and what back?

you need to email him directly but you get the header and pipes all the way back to about a 1 from the mufflers. he is keeping his mufflers with his new turbo. he cant wait his truck will be even more quiet, better gas millage and more power. ask him directly about his blower and brakets and his headers. i know that he wants fair value considering what they cost to build and they are one of a kind.

after looking at a few 5.0's i dont think it would be that big of a deal for a header company to make something similar to what ford did but with a little performance common sense.....like maybe the front 2 cyl. mount seperately from the back but still go up then down and the back two go forward and down slightly then back...and have a small y pipe just behind the firewall.....the pipes could be stacked vertically and be mid length.

I started a new post regarding the header situation as this one was getting a little long. If we can get 25 people to commit than it seems that JBA will be interested in producing headers for us V-8 people.