exhaust modification, stock headers

[storlied]

Would it be pointless to get anything done to the exhaust with stock headers on the 5.0, I've got the headers that look like the pieces of aluminum found from a junk yard that someone decided to make a sculpture out of, lol.. They're not those solid pipe ones.

I was thinking about getting dual exhaust keeping the 2.25 spec, or even just having dual in, single out 2.25-3.00
I don't know, maybe a catback, would it be pointless?
98 XLT 5.0 AWD

 

[Millertime1987]

Well any upgrade will help. Headers and exhaust is the most desirable. But if you want Dual in and Out exhaust I wouldn't get headers since it will mess with the computer. Any upgrades to it will help though.

 

[storlied]

I've been told the 5.0 headers are so restrictive, any modification after them in the system would be pointless as far as performance goes.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I don't understand This has been beat into the ground- If you want exhaust, get it. You may get .5 HP from an optimum exhaust system, it will sound better. I have been there and done that. I am not trying to get you to buy headers or exhaust.

I am not trying to be mean, I just don't understand why you continue to ask when it has been explained.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194021

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199745

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197595

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197602

 

[storlied]

headers are so expensive... *sigh* and lots of work from the looks of your review..

it's pretty rediculous how crappy ford made them, and their fms headers.. what a joke..

I know the headers are a bottleneck, but what about the rest of the exhaust system, it must be pretty restrictive.. I don't know.... BLAH!.. damn ford..

 

[storlied]

Also, it's kind of confusing me that since the headers are so restrictive, all other mods will be minimal without TMH, but plenty of people say they saw a noticable improvement with the mac intake, if the headers are so restrictive, where's all the extra air going. Blah.. I have no idea what I'm talking about... *sigh* Time to save up for the TMH.

(But I'm still going to get the 50 series SUV muffler dual 2.25 in, single 3.00 out.)

 

[MountaineerGreen]

That is a wise choice for a muffler, it will work well once you get headers.

Fortunately or Unfortunately, whichever way you look at it, bolt on performance parts have a placebo effect on their owners. A real gain may be had, but even if there wasn't one, the owner/operator knows the part is there and feels its effects, whether they are present or not. A dyno is the only real way to show whether or not a modification helped, except for MPG gains.

 

[storlied]

Aldive loves his mac intake, but then again.. he has the v6 if I'm not mistaken. So if I were to get the mac, because of the headers.. I wouldn't get much of a gain? No noticeable throttle response difference?..

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Yes, his is a 4.0 v6. I am actually getting an AirMax intake Monday- you should look into them, it has a heat shield to stop the engine from sucking hot engine bay air.

Throttle response will be improved with a CAI.

 

[storlied]

I have actually looked into the airmax intakes, but until someone can give a good review for the 5.0.... yea.. it does look pretty nice though, even has the tornado design built in (yea yea i know, but what could it hurt?) lol.. i'll be waiting for your detailed review..

also, are there heat shields i could just buy and install onto the mac?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Review coming Monday or Tues of next week.

 

[chriswells78]

I have actually looked into the airmax intakes, but until someone can give a good review for the 5.0.... yea.. it does look pretty nice though, even has the tornado design built in (yea yea i know, but what could it hurt?) lol.. i'll be waiting for your detailed review..

also, are there heat shields i could just buy and install onto the mac?

Make your own. Get a thin piece of sheet metal from a hardware store. Make a cardboard template. Trace it to the sheet metal and cut it with a pair of tin snips. Either rivet it or screw it to the inner fender. If you want to insulate it some, Jegs and summit sell insulating material. You can probably make the whole thing for less than $30.

Hell, if your in a bind and you want to go cheap, take an old cookie sheet and make one out of it.