Hedders-Are they worth it?

[rockylaurence]

Hey Guys; I have a 93' Sport and I'm considering installing hedders. Can anyone for certain tell weather or not the hedders they installed made a difference (other than "seat-of-the-pants impressions"). I'm asking because I've read articles of little or no improvement from "shorty-style" hedders. Does anyone have proof-i.e.: improved gas milage, dyno tested? Installing hedders isn't easy or cheep and I'd like your input before buying. I've already got K&N filter, MSD ignition, CatBack, SplitFire wires.
Thanks;

 

[S.Matsushige]

Rocky-I've read threads that said headers will give you the most bang for the buck. I've been reading this for quite some time now so I finally broke down and ordered a set. I wanted something other than Borlas. I was looking at BBKs from Summit Racing with Jet-hot coating for $420, but at $230 from carparts, the Borlas were hard to pass up. I wish I had them so I could give you more concrete answers. At that price I'm willing to take a chance to give my '91XLT a little more guts - I hope.

 

[rockylaurence]

Thanks Matt; I know the Borlas are affordable (great price for stainless). I'm also a little reluctant because of exhaust leaks (they never seal as good as the stock cast manafolds). But, if they provide the performance with a life-time warranty, I could live with a few leaks! Let me know how it turns out.. Good luck
Rocky

 

[rockylaurence]

Hey Guys whats going on? With all the hedders being purchased I would think that someone would have some OBJECTIVE comments about thier heeders. I know the manufacturers state that thier hedders add apprximately 10-15%. Are most of you satisfied with the performance increase compared to the expense and labour? Or were you dissappointed with the results (or lack of) and would spend your money on something else, if you had it to do over. I think that this is an excellent topic considering that so many people on this Web are installing them.
ROCKY

 

[S.Matsushige]

Rocky-I think if you go with a good quality exhaust gasket, leaks shouldn't be a problem. Something like a copper header gasket should last forever. If you want to order the headers through carparts.com, here's the coupon code I used to get 33% off. Code 1357004. Its good until the end of the month. I just got my Borla headers yesterday. Now comes the hard part. I've heard that once you get the manifolds off, its a little easier since you'll have a little more space to work with. Wish me luck Rocky!

 

[Oknut]

Here's what I think.

I Have a 93 Ford Probe and a 91 explorer. I installed a pacesetter hedder on my probe last week and man was it hard to get on there. Not very much room to work with, And when I finally got it all on it was to long for the rest of my exaust. It ratled like crazy driving down the road. Then I had to cut about an inch of one end of the Y pipe and about 10 inches of the other end, after that I needed to make it all hit with flex pipe.

Second the o2 sencor couldn't be installed because there was something in the way. So I had to plug it up, drill another hole and weld a different 02 sencor.

After I did all this, it didn't sounds any better then what it did stock. Instead of sounding like a probe it sounds like a geo storm. Plus no extra performance. If it wasn't such a pain in the #(*&$$ I would put the stock manifold back in it.

This is the reason why I don't want a hedder for my explorer.

[This message has been edited by Oknut (edited 04-07-2000).]

 

[RichSport94]

I got Borla headers on my truck and they are great. I definitly felt a difference. Plus all my friends notice the difference when I peel out whenever I stop. It is not a tire burning NHRA burnout but it does chirp for a second. This was not possible at all before the headers. The sound didn't change much. The price is great but but you really pay with the installation. The biggest pain in the butt. Took a whole day from morning to night (I am not a very experienced mechanic) but it was worth it. So if you are going to buy headers buy them they are great. Oh yeah gas mileage went down (I can't stop flooring this truck HEHEHEHEHEHE!)

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1994 Explorer Sport 2WD (Wish it was 4wd)
K&N Filter
Modified Airbox
Borla Headers
Flowmaster muffler
Custom dual Exhaust
4+ Bosch Plugs
Remote Starter

 

[DCider]

I want to try to get my truck dyno'd if possible before and after the header installation. If I do, I'll post the numbers to let everyone know.

Does anyone know of a reasonable dyno place in the Bay Area that they can recommend?

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David Cider
'92 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L 4Dr 4...

Current Mods:
Hi flo cat and muffler, KKM Air intake, SuperChip, Magnacor wires and AutoLite Double Platnum plugs

Pending Mods:
JBA headers, 4" Suspension Lift, Tires & Wheels

 

[REDDOG]

Hey DCider

I live in Castro Valley and work in San Jose. I talked with several of my 4X4 friends and they named two places:
1)Streetwiwe in Fremont-Expensive but good.
2)Name unknown - Mustang ???? - El Camino & Lawrence - No personnel experiences.

I am very interested in your results also. Good luck.



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REDDOG
94 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
125,000
Stock, Stock, Stock