SOHC Headers of Choice | Ford Explorer Forums

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SOHC Headers of Choice

X~FACTOR

Name is Ray
Joined
January 4, 2003
Messages
6,568
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City, State
Valley Stream, Long Island
Year, Model & Trim Level
'97 XLT 4-dr SOHC
SOHC Headers to Tailpipe Replacement

My '97 has exhaust leak everywhere. I'm looking to replace the entire system including running the CATS as I have emission in NJ. What is everyone running to replace the OEM exhaust system from headers to tailpipe?
 



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Pretty much everyone with SOHC 4.0 keeps the stock headers because its just too expensive for brand new ones with little to no gain. Explorerexpress has stainless steel and ceramic headers for about twice the price you found on eBay. I personally wouldn't remove the cats because from what I've read on here its suppose to give it more raspy high pitched sounds.

I have a catback gibson exhaust system and love it. No welding no leaks
 












Thanks for the reply guys.

Pretty much everyone with SOHC 4.0 keeps the stock headers because its just too expensive for brand new ones with little to no gain. Explorerexpress has stainless steel and ceramic headers for about twice the price you found on eBay. I personally wouldn't remove the cats because from what I've read on here its suppose to give it more raspy high pitched sounds.

I have a catback gibson exhaust system and love it. No welding no leaks
One of my cats has a huge leak. I'm sure being they are so old the other one is not too far behind. I don't want to get rid of them, but I do want them replaced.

Is the Gibson quite? Where did you get yours?


The applications list includes both the OHV V6 and the SOHC V6. Farther down in the descripton vin X is listed. I doubt that those headers will fit your SOHC V6.

Are you refering to the ebay link I posted?
 












The applications list includes both the OHV V6 and the SOHC V6. Farther down in the descripton vin X is listed. I doubt that those headers will fit your SOHC V6.

I'm sorry. I'm a little slow today. Are you saying this will not fit my 4.0 SOHC?
 






fits the OHV V6

I'm sorry. I'm a little slow today. Are you saying this will not fit my 4.0 SOHC?

If you enter your year, make, model, trim & V6 then you'll see the headers are for the OHV V6 and not your SOHC V6.
 












Is the Gibson quite? Where did you get yours?

It is the quietest aftermarket exhaust they make for our engine. The paper they sent with the exhaust said it was a 1/10 on their loudness chart.

Its a really low deep sound which I like and its not very loud at all. I can only ever really hear it over 2000rpm or at low speeds. I found it for the best price on amazon for the stainless steel. here is a link

http://www.amazon.com/Gibson-619684...+619684+Stainless+Steel+Single+Exhaust+System

its cheaper now than when i bought it :thumbsup:
 






I run the Gibson swept side cat-back system. Just ordered their headers as well, and a full set of Magnaflow cats. Haven't arrived yet, will report on findings once they arrive and are installed.
 






Header outlet diameter?

I run the Gibson swept side cat-back system. Just ordered their headers as well, and a full set of Magnaflow cats. Haven't arrived yet, will report on findings once they arrive and are installed.

Do you know the diameter of the header outlets? The stock manifold has a 2 inch outlet diameter.
 






FWIW, keeping the cats on actually will give you a couple more ponies in the mid-low RPMs where you need them. The heat build up in the cats adds to the scavenging on an unmodified or lightly modified motor.
 






Do you know the diameter of the header outlets? The stock manifold has a 2 inch outlet diameter.

I don't know the diameter, as I have yet to receive the parts. I would assume it would be the same in the event the stock cats were being retained.
 






FWIW, keeping the cats on actually will give you a couple more ponies in the mid-low RPMs where you need them. The heat build up in the cats adds to the scavenging on an unmodified or lightly modified motor.

Phew! I thought for a second there you were going to say that the cats provided needed back pressure.
 






I run the Gibson swept side cat-back system. Just ordered their headers as well, and a full set of Magnaflow cats. Haven't arrived yet, will report on findings once they arrive and are installed.

Looking forward to your thoughts on this. Thanks!!!
 






What would be amazing is if someone dyno'd the stock rig then put the gibson headers, magnaflow cats and gibson exhaust and re-dyno'd :) or one by one to see any engine performance gains..i really want to put headers on my 4.0 SOHC, but am afraid the funds are not worth the performance. Plus i hear more problems arise when you switch out the headers (more leaks)...though that could be from poor installations but i have heard it from numerous sources (not soley for explorers, all vehicle types)
 






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