So my Torque Monster headers are installed...

[LiKuiD]

And i'm having mixed feelings about the results thus far.

First, let me just start off saying that the quality of the headers are incredible and the customer service provided by Bob at TM was above and beyond what I could ask for.

Now on to the truck. I've driven about 600+ miles with them on so far and I can honestly say I barely feel a difference. If anything, I feel like there is more pull in the upper power band, around 4000+ RPM. When it comes to low end power, she actually feels more sluggish then pre-headers. I've noticed that there is more power by the fact that the truck doesnt shift as much as it used to when going up hills, and that it can comfortably drive up steep hills at 1800 RPM, when in the past it would have to downshift. But when you gun it from a stop, you can definetely feel a lack of power that used to be there before.

As per MPG increase, i'm pretty positive there has been an increase, for the last tank I was able to squeeze 310 miles out of 17 gallons, which equals 18 mpg. Now this is the most i've ever gotten to one tank, but unlike before the headers, I feel like driving 75-80+mph causes the MPG to decrease whereas on the stock manifolds driving in that range yielded the best MPG. I'm still experimenting with the MPG's so ill know more in time.

It's important to remember I have a MAC Intake and a MAC (dual in-single out) 3'' Cat-back exhaust. Now im pretty positive that this single 3'' isnt causing too much flow that would be causing me to loose my low end...would it? It just feels like since the TM headers have been put on, my low end is really suffering. So any thoughts? I remember people mentioning about a cam upgrade but I dont know if that would sacrifice MPG for HP, when I really need to get the best mileage out of the truck as possible. So after hearing other members on the forum saying how much of a big difference the headers made, im wondering if I expected too much? Let me know what ya'll think.

 

[jimbo74]

this might make me sound like i think you are a newbie, but did you reprogram the computer?

talk to section525 he has them i beleive

 

[j602]

V8BoatBuilder has them too. Maybe the combination of a 3" exhaust and more freely flowing headers caused a decrease in low end power.

 

[Creager]

maybe you need like a bigger throttle or something to help match the flow.

Or, i like the chip idea. you might need tweak the chip?

Or maybe its coincidence, when was the last time you did a lil tune up? Plugs and wires?

 

[LiKuiD]

Yes, the ECU was reset so that's out. A Bamachip is next on my list of mods, I just need to save up some money before that comes around. Those sloppy shifts are another story...

There was a tuneup done no less then 5k miles ago so everything is fine in that department. I havnt thought about an new TB/MAF because from what i've read on the forum, it doesnt make a difference, if any, with the 5.0's. I could be wrong though.

Thanks guys...keep em' coming!

 

[Creager]

stock cats?

 

[410Fortune]

Sounds like you have alot of intake and alot of exhaust, this will always lose you low end torque, too much flow is great for the high RPM's but not for down low....
A chip will help tune the air/fuel curves, but you must remember this is not a pony car its a #4500 truck.

 

[rcpasq]

Some Thoughts...

I think where you're at, a chip would be the next move. This will help with ignition timing and transmission shift points as both are controlled by the computer you'll be upgrading. Also, if you're still running the original coil packs, replace them with MSD units (2 - MSD, Ford Coil Pack, 4-Tower, PN 8241).

Torque Monster Headers are very helpful in all the areas that we claim. We had a small problem after installing a set of prototype Headers in our test mule, July '04. It appeared to be breaking up on a full acceleration and sometimes pop back through the fuel injection. We had finally figured out we had low fuel pressure and changed the fuel pump. With the stock manifolds, the extra fuel pressure requirement was not there and the weak fuel pump went undetected. Sometimes, when installing Headers, it brings to light other areas that will need your attention before getting the full benefit.

All the Best,

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[Hartman]

Perhaps going down to 2.5" exhaust pipe would give you a little more backpressure, which in turn would give you more low end torque.

 

[boominXplorer]

I noticed the FMS ones did the same to me. What did I do, Powerbrake to 2300 when a raced . It also is harder to spin tires with headers, but once you get them spinning, they wont stop (see my vid)

 

[xxScapegoat]

your vid is insane

/off topic

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I did not feel the loss of low end. I am running a MAC intake, but stock exhaust.

I have the Accell replacement coil towers, they are another option to the MSD packs.

 

[LiKuiD]

I think for now i'll just save up for a chip. I know its a SUV and not a stang, but I was just concerned about the torque loss seeing thats what I was trying to gain out of the headers. I think i'll leave the exhaust alone and try other things in the meantime.

I'll read up on the ignition upgrades because im not very familiar with that department. I'm hoping the chip will smooth some of this out, especially those shifts....or maybe I would be better off with a shift kit? Hmm...

Damn this money pit!

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

...or maybe I would be better off with a shift kit? Hmm...

Damn this money pit!

I have the Baumann Engineering shift kit, set on a stage 2 and 3 combo- its awesome. However, you might be able to achieve similar results with the "J-Mod," a lower cost alternative.

My install thread can be found here: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123942

 

[boominXplorer]

i got the stage 3/3 baumann combo. I love it except dont punch it around turns if you have L/S, It will break loose

 

[rcpasq]

Low End Torque is Fine...

Over this past weekend, we installed the old aftermarket exhaust back on our test mule ('98 EB 4x4). We did our early testing with the stock exhaust to make sure we were giving correct numbers.

The aftermarket exhaust starts at the cats with 2.5" pipes into a cross-gas and into a duel-inlet Flowmaster muffler (3-chamber). We exit the muffler through a 3" outlet into a flow-through resinator and then 3" pipe to the rear bumper. looking from the back of the Explorer, it looks stock, except bigger.

It doesn't appear that have lost any low end torque. Probably picked up a few extra horsepower. With the Headers, the exhaust sounds very crisp, but not too loud. We are very happy with our results thus far.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[LiKuiD]

However, you might be able to achieve similar results with the "J-Mod," a lower cost alternative.

Whats this "J-Mod" you speak of?

Here's my questions about shifting. Right now, if I really gun it, it will rev to around 5k then instead of shifting it slowly revs down for about 500rpm then shifts...will a shift kit fix this? Like once it hits that point it will shift and not hang? I'm not to familiar with how they work. Also...if it would fix that, would a chip fix it too? Or is that something that must be physically modded in the tranny?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Over this past weekend, we installed the old aftermarket exhaust back on our test mule ('98 EB 4x4). We did our early testing with the stock exhaust to make sure we were giving correct numbers.

The aftermarket exhaust starts at the cats with 2.5" pipes into a cross-gas and into a duel-inlet Flowmaster muffler (3-chamber). We exit the muffler through a 3" outlet into a flow-through resinator and then 3" pipe to the rear bumper. looking from the back of the Explorer, it looks stock, except bigger.

It doesn't appear that have lost any low end torque. Probably picked up a few extra horsepower. With the Headers, the exhaust sounds very crisp, but not too loud. We are very happy with our results thus far.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

Bob, which model flowmaster did you use?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Whats this "J-Mod" you speak of?

There is a lengthy discussion, with links to documentation in my Baumann install thread, posted above.

 

[RiseAgainst]

Here's my questions about shifting. Right now, if I really gun it, it will rev to around 5k then instead of shifting it slowly revs down for about 500rpm then shifts...Also...if it would fix that, would a chip fix it too? Or is that something that must be physically modded in the tranny?

A chip will greatly improve shifting and you can determine at what rpms you want it to shift at. (5200 in my case).