Torque Monster Headers: Installation Writeup and Review

[410Fortune]

compdoc77, then you mine as well just pull the 5.0L to install these, your cam, intakes, etc. Make it easier on yourself

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

My hat goes off to you V8Boatbuilder, Excellent writeup and pictures.
I assume you could also ditch the EGR all together if you wanted to but you didnt hear that from me.

Thanks Jamie! As for the EGR, I have yet to see that taking it off will change how the engine runs, except for generate a CEL. Since the TM headers have an EGR port, there is no need to risk flunking inspection (even though MA doesn't are anymore) or polluting the environment. Face it, we're not driving hybrids here, every bit helps.

But with this design you have shown it is possible in a weekend, good job.
It may be easier to loosen the heater box cover then it is to loosen the engine mount?? However getting at those engine mount bolts is good for you

Funny you mention loosening the heater box. Been there, done that, failed. Before figuring out that I needed to de-couple the downpipe from the exhaust system (Bob was a huge help in this), I loosened all of the heater box bolts. However, there is not enough flexibility in the A/C lines to pull it forward and 1.5" to clear the studs coming out of the firewall. By loosening the engine mount, the A/C system is untouched.

Keep us updated on the performance you experience The stock manifolds are VERY restrictive, not only are they pinched down to some tiny openings but the design of multiple cylinders firing into a single tube just makes for a very odd exhaust flow, the engine actually has to struggle to push exhaust out = ouch.
the FMS headers, although improved over the stock manifolds still have this design. I imagine anyone who is looking for 5.0L power from this block will want these headers

Exactly. On the TM headers, even cylinder #7, which has the shortest primary tube (about 5"), still maintains a real primary and goes into a real collector. On both the pre-98/post98 stock manifolds and FMS 'headers,' some cylinders do not have primary tubes at all - they clumsily merge into a single tube. Hence my putting 'headers' into quotes - real headers, such as my TM ones, fire all 4 primaries into a collector. This collector design can be seen in the first post, about halfway down.

Customer service also goes a long way in this business and Robert has been top notch in every category, from packaging to support, these headers are worth every penny.

I think so - I was impressed from the moment I took the headers out of the box. Almost everything needed is included, and packaged very well. Bob is very helpful on the phone.

 

[410Fortune]

You can do a EGR circuit delete, I have the process printed out, but the Mustang guys have this figured out already.
I will retain EGR on my BII, it has the P heads so there is a tube like yours, on my 96 5.0L there is no tube the EGR is internal inside the heads. The bladder in my EGR valve had a tear in it, the part from Ford is $120, this was the source of my MIL. For $120 I wouldnt mind just ditching the EGR, I never liked them anyways

 

[Mountie]

I wish i had this write up when i installed my TM Headers two weekends ago. This is a great write up and thanks for sharing it with us. The EGR piping was the biggest pain in the ass of the whole project. From taking it out to bending it and putting it back in it probly took three hours.

While installing my headers i didnt have some of the right tools to reach around the bends properly so it left me with some stipped bolts which made it so i couldnt torque them down all the way. I e-mailed Bob for a list of all the bolts so i could buy some new ones and he Emailed me back telling me not to worry about buying them and he would send me the bolts i needed for free. I emailed him back and two days later (from California to New York) i had all the bolts that i needed. To that i thank Bob for such a great technical support and i hope to deal with him more in the future

 

[Jester1994]

Nice write up Aaron, I am looking forward to seeing results after you drive a few hundred miles. I also want to check out your rig sometime since we live near each other. I have considered installing headers now that these are available, especially if the 2mpg increase and larger HP increase is correct.

 

[rcpasq]

Approval is Very Near...

Bob Pasquale

What's the status with the headers recieving their CARB certification?

Thanks

-Brad

We just purchased a very nice 2001 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0 V8 Monterey model. We will be installing a set of Torque Monster Headers this weekend. We hope to have the Mountaineer to the Testing Lab by Tuesday 3-8-05. We're hoping for CARB approval no later than the end of March, if all goes well. Thank you.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

In MA, they don't look at the vehcile, they just run an OBD-II scan. With all this talk about emissions, I'm going to hook up my OBD-II scanner and grab some O2 sensor and fuel trim readings.

I'll post what I find.

 

[410Fortune]

in CO all they do is look under the hood for a second, put the VIN # in the computer, check the MIL with the key, drive it up on the dyno and do a sniffer test/dyno run. They use a mirror to look for a cat, then they check the gas cap.

Soon they will be going to the drive by quick pass, where you drive by, pass, they send you a sticker in the mail.
According to CO my truck still has a 2.9L in it The emissions limits for the 2.9L were pretty high so I will not be surprised if my 5.0L passes no problem, the 4.0L blew less that .25 of the legal limits

 

[Oversquare]

V8 Boat Builder - What's the latest on the headers? Now that the 'newness' is wearing off, what is your opinions about them?

-Brad

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

V8 Boat Builder - What's the latest on the headers? Now that the 'newness' is wearing off, what is your opinions about them?

-Brad

Brad,

unfortunatley, I haven't put many miles on the truck since the header install. I've been really busy with schoolwork, and in tech for my next show (I'm a lighting and sound designer). However, the increased performance of the headers on accelleration continues to impress me, in both highway merges and around town. I can't make a difinitive comment on gas miliage, since I spend way to much time idling or in stop/go traffic. However, it is up from what I normally get.

Stay tuned.

 

[LiKuiD]

Stay tuned.

Oh we're waiting....

I really like my MAC, although I really have nothing else to compare it too besides the KKM on my old 93' but anyway I think it helped with mileage a bit and acceleration. When I got mine there was no hole drilled for the oil neck filler tube thing but I was told it didnt make a difference so I havnt hooked it up since 2 years ago and its still fine. I love the hissing it makes when you tap the gas and on idle. Id say go for it! The chrome pipe is also a plus. Looks very nice under the hood.

As far as the headers go, im really starting to consider them my next mod. Depending on how good the results you get back will prolly help me lean towards a definitive answer.

Keep us posted on the performance gains and the mileage! I know ill be waiting!

 

[rcpasq]

Testing Results with Our New 2001 Mountaineer

We just purchased a new 2001 Mercury Mountaineer 5.0 V8, 2wd to use for CARB testing. On the day we purchased it, we drove it from the dealer to JBA Racing for a baseline dyno test.

170 rwhp 229rwtq

We installed a set of Torque Monster Headers on Sunday, 3-6-05. By Wednesday, 3-9-05, we took it back to JBA Racing for the second dyno test, headers only.

190 rwhp 249rwtq

Looks like 20-20 to me! Remember, this vehicle is bone stock.

We also checked gas mileage between San Diego and Los Angeles. Our new 2001 Mountaineer was able to get 22.3 mpg during the trip.

We hope this helps address your concerns. Thank you.

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers

 

[Magna XLT 5.0L]

XLenT Job...my compliments and thanks...
For the last couple of weeks I've noticed that my '98 XLT has been getting the dreaded passenger side manifold leak (stops when the engine gets hot). I wanted to find headers for the XLT but was reluctant as to which ones. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, but I'm a little nervous on doing this job myself. Spring is around the corner...mybe I'll try it then. Torque Monsters for me

 

[SilverBullet]

170 rwhp 229rwtq

190 rwhp 249rwtq

Looks like 20-20 to me! Remember, this vehicle is bone stock.

Can you post the dyno runs?

 

[Oversquare]

Can you post the dyno runs?

I, too, would like to see a dyno chart. Please?

-Brad

 

[LiKuiD]

Any updates? Still curious to see how well these perform before I pick up a pair...

 

[410Fortune]

Robert already has Dyno results posted on his site for his 98 5.0L explorere when he bolted them on, I believe 18+ HP at the rear wheels.
The 01 should not be any different, CA just required that he use the later model truck for Carb certification......they are the same drivetrain.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Any updates? Still curious to see how well these perform before I pick up a pair...

I have picked up about 1.4 mpg according to the message center in city stop/go driving.

I will be going on a 600 mile roundtrip to upstate NY this weekend, and will have some better mpg numbers.

Highway merges and heavy acceleration still put a big smile on my face, the novelty of the extra power hasn't worn off. Reving the truck to 4500 rpm comes very easy, as opposed to the truck's anemic performance above 3000rpm before. :thumsbup:

 

[compdoc777]

I am enjoying my headers my car is really mean now. I beat a V6 accord from a dig and passed him at 80 mph

I have more power but it feels like I am missing something in the middle.

I have the MAC catback which may be causing torque loss in the middle band.

Need to get that back up.

Other than that and the fitment on the 2000 + everything is perfect.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Congrats on the install!