Ford Racing Headers

[wpurple]

I was looking at the Ford Racing Headers and it shows a fit from 96 to 98, but not 99.

The tech line stated that it might be due to the EGR bung, but wasn't too sure.

Does anyone know the differences between 98 and 99? Or weather they will fit a 99 with minor modifications/fabrications???

 

[celly]

Not sure, but why not go with Torque Monster headers? They're less restrictive that the Ford Racing offering (from what I understand, those headers aren't much different than stock). I've never seen any bad press on the headers themselves. People seem to be having great results with them. I'm scoring a set for my '99 V8 once budget permits.

EDIT: Might want to check out this post as well.

 

[rcpasq]

Torque Monster Headers

Here's the comparison between the Ford Racing Offering and Torque Monster Headers.

http://www.section525.com/xpage/

You make the choice.

You can also get some background on Torque monster Headers on Explorer Forum...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147452

Thanks Celly.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[Turdle]

I think the 99-01 used a cast iron style exhaust manifold, however the egr tube looks the same on my daughters 99 limited as it did on my 98.

 

[wpurple]

Didn't someone do up a writeup on their instillation of their TMH? I searched, but didn't see anything.

 

[karl_burns]

I think there was a write up and I think the install was a PITA!
Karl

 

[celly]

I think there was a write up and I think the install was a PITA!
Karl

I've read about the headers being a very tight fit, but then again there isn't much room in there anyhow. Takes patience to do the install. That's why I'll pay someone to do it for me some day.

 

[410Fortune]

Actually I find the 5.0L not that hard to work on.
If you take the tires off and remove the fender liners putting the TM headers on should take no longer then one day.
I would still block out a weekend.

Putting headers on any Explorer is going to take at least one day.
Of course doing it once or twice before helps, but the TM headers are only slightly more tricky then replacing a factory manifold.

 

[wpurple]

On a 99, are the factory manifolds actually the Ford Racing headers? I have heard that the earlier 96 and 97's were restrictive, but the later ones were not as.....so I thought that maybe the Ford ones were installed from the factory...

Going to definatly save for the TMH's though!!!!

 

[Turdle]

On a 99, are the factory manifolds actually the Ford Racing headers? I have heard that the earlier 96 and 97's were restrictive, but the later ones were not as.....so I thought that maybe the Ford ones were installed from the factory...

Going to definatly save for the TMH's though!!!!

No, they are completely different.
Now let's not argue here, Toquemonsters are the way to go, but the ports on the stock headers are way smaller than the FMS headers. Also, the tube diameter is smaller, and they are a combination of tube and cast iron.
FMS headers have to be better than stock, but that isn't saying much.
I have a set of FMS to install when I can. I'll post pics of the stock ones along side FMS when I can do the install.

 

[wpurple]

I would consider the FMS headers since they are cheaper, and more easily justified, but they won't fit 99 and up. They stop at 98.

 

[Turdle]

If your existing manifold(s) aren't cracked, yeah I'd hold out.
Mine are. They have been welded but it doesn't seem to last.
Can you shoot a pic of your passenger side manifold, from the wheel well and above. I'd like to see.
My daughter has a 99, and my mother used to. From what I remember their manifolds both looked like cast iron manifolds, not tubular at all.

 

[Turdle]

ok I found these pics on ebay
First 2 are the stock headers like I have (notice how pinched #3 tube is, and the "belly" tube
the second are the cast type.
The second ones on the listing say 98-01
However mine is a 98

 

[Turdle]

Here are the FMS headers

 

[rcpasq]

What I've found out through Ford and my travels with getting the correct Headers for our customers is; the early manifolds were used from '96 to early '98 models (until build date 12/97). Then from late '98 (build date 01/98) to 2001 they used the cast iron manifolds. Hence, that is the reason why a '98 model may have the earlier manifolds.

The early manifolds came in 2 types. First type was 96 to early '97 (until build date 12/96) had no EGR bunk on the passenger side and had GT40 heads and an internal EGR. Second type was late '97 (build date 1/97) to early '98 (build date 12/97) with the required external EGR connectivity with GT40-P heads. GT40-P heads were used until end of production of the 5.0 V8 in 2001.

I know this looks confusing, but it's just the facts. All the Best.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[Turdle]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That right there is 1 of many reasons to get the TorqueMonster headers.
Bob is a real guy, and you can talk to him. Obviously, he cares about explorer performance.
Not once have I seen a Ford rep respond to a post on this website.

I give a lot of credit to Bob. I'll bet the Explorer is one of the hardest vehicles in existence to fit with headers.