NEED TO FIND headers

[ranchero64]

Im toatllay new to this explorer thing! but i am heavely experenced in the mustang 5.0 feild. all im am trigng to do is find some replacement headers for my moms 96 exploer. i have to drive it all the time (since my five-0 is a racer, not daily driver) and i am sick and tired of hearing the TICK TICK TICK TICK from a hole in the header (is this common) i dont need anything fancy just a true set of headers that will be smog legal hear in cali! what one are really legal and which one last the best... remember this is a MOMs car not a rod 4x4

oh yeah its a 1996 V8..
how long do these things last we have already put in a new trans, AC, heater core....

ps the JBL sub dont work anymore is there a common fix for it?
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

[section525]

Hey.. welcome to the forum! Let me guess, it's the passenger side header that leaks? Most 5.0s have the same problem. I put some Ford Motorsport Headers on mine about a year ago. They are awesome. You can find them in summit (I think) or you can email torrie@fordpartsnetwork.com. They're really pretty cheap and easy to install. The FMS ones are pretty much your only option.

Its hard to believe you needed a new tranny. The 4R70Ws are usually pretty bulletproof. I had a 135k+ of trouble free miles on my '96 2WD.

PS. I use to live in Oxnard and work in Camarillo. Do you happen to know a Jared Preston. He's about your age.

 

[james t]

right now, the FMS headers are your only option. you better hurry, cuz i heard they are discontinuing them. there are no other headers made for it, and nothing will adapt without SERIOUS modification. the header leak is on just about every 5 liter xplorer out there.

welcome to the site!

 

[tmsoko]

I have a set of stock manifolds if interested. Send me an offer or your email and I will send photos. They are like new.

Todd
tmsoko@comcast.net

 

[Zmuzic]

I have a 2000 V8 and I'm ready to start modding my explorer. Will the FMS headers pass a smog test here in California? Can you give me the part # for them. I could just take them off when I smog. Also will they bolt up to the rest of the exhaust or do you have to fabricate a system to the muffler.

Thanks
Z~

 

[MikeTEC]

Ranchero: I agree with Section and others who have FMS headers. I have just put them on my 96 5.0L and sure can tell the difference! Going to tow my trailer on a 12 hour pull soon and I will be able to tell if any torque has been lost or the range significantly shifted upwards. Better get them quick from a supplier who still has them in stock. Been told FMS is not making them any more.

 

[tmsoko]

MikeTEC, I have the FMS headers on my Ranger and have full 3.5" mandrel bent exhaust from the second cat set back. I haven't really noticed much of a loss of low end torque, but I have plenty of 2500- 3000 rpm and up! I towed a 6000 lb trailer a few months ago. Towed like a dream - much better than my V8 mounty. I do have 4.10:1 gears though, so my 80MPH cruising RPM is 2700. I towed the 6K lb trailer at 75-80 most of the way - in OD, but after hearing about the down sides, I should have had out of OD.

 

[MikeTEC]

tmsoto: Glad to hear you did not have much of a torque loss with your FMS headers. That is encouraging. We have usually tow out of overdrive. I find it provides more power, takes advantage of direct 1:1 axle ratio, and gas milage is not that much different..maybe 1-2 MPG at the very most. Towing out of overdrive, with a 3.73 LS at 60-65 mph, we are turning about 2900 RPMs.

 

[ranchero64]

THANKS FOR THE quick reply!!! im gonna get on those headers right away! no i dont know a Jared Preston, unless hes a mustanger... will the MPG get affected by the headers?
is there a FIX or any thing i can do to help it gert any better? i already have a K&N...
as for that trans the OD started flashing at about 50k miles and ford said it was just hot and to take it easy on it. it kept comming on speraticly and then at 75000 the trans wouldnt shift out of 2nd gear!...
ohh well it was all under warenty!

 

[ranchero64]

section: i found this page though your homepage and i read about your header install.. i thought that all V8 xplorers came with GT40p headers... i need a direct replacemet so i dont have to spend HUGE amounts of cash to fix this thing.... thanks again for all your help...!

 

[section525]

'96 & some '97 Explorers came with GT40 heads. It wasn't until late in the '97 production did they change over to the P's.

Either of these headers should bolt right up to your Explorer with no other necessary mods:

M-9430-E50 5.0l explorer headers stainless steel $ 174.99
M-9430-E51 5.0l explorer headers ceramic coated $ 224.99

Those prices are from torrie@fordpartsnetwork.com

Like everyone is saying, I'd get these things while you still can!

 

[ranchero64]

i emailed them (FPN) and they said that they could not get them anymore! ok so now i have the GT40P thing figured out! now all i have to do is get the stupid headers.. im gonna search all day today till i get them.. you guys ahve been a grat help thank you!

 

[section525]

Call Summit Racing! Quick!

 

[Zmuzic]

Will those headers fit a 2000 5.0 in my Eddie bauer?

Hurry I might need to call summit too...lol

 

[section525]

Yes but you have to get an EGR bung welded onto them! QUICK! If I were you, I'd snatch some up while you can. I had no idea they're not making them anymore. I'll see if I can find some pics that'll show what I am talking about...

 

[Zmuzic]

Wow that was a fast reply ...lol Thanks for the reply.....

Please do show me a pic of the EGR bung mod. I think I'm going to look for some headers right now. Its time to start modding and I got the cash so I'm going for it.

Z~

Edit: Since my X is a California X. I would probably have to take off the headers to get smogged anyway. Could I just block off the EGR?

Edit#2: I see your from Cali does yours pass smog?

 

[section525]

Yeah. These headers are very similar to your stock mainfold. So smog shouldn't be effected. Blocking the EGR passage will screw up your computer and probably give you a CEL. You should be able to throw them on and leave them be.

 

[Zmuzic]

Thanks section525,

Does anyone know anyone else who might sell them just called Summit and No DIce. Not available from the vendor anymore and their out.

But they have for 95-97 BBK#35210 ceramic coated and 3521 chrome both about a month to get.

Anyone have any experiance with these...

Also I have seen that Flowtech makes headers 96-00 any info on those.

Who else makes headers for the explorer?