- Joined
- Sep 27, 2016
- Messages
- 245
- Reaction score
- 136
- Points
- 43
- Vehicle Year
- 2000 Supercab
- Make / Model
- Stepside
- Engine Type
- V8
- Engine Size
- 5.0L GT40
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
So it seems most all the negative input I can find on these headers in a ranger or an explorer in the few threads on different forums I've seen basically boil down to how difficult it is to install them, not really complaints on the fitment or quality.
TMH's or any other header I'm sure is hell to install with the engine in the truck, I don't doubt that one bit, these 5.0 in these SLA frame minitrucks are an extremely tight fit on the width and to try to work any set of headers onto the head around the upper control arm mounts, steering shaft, frame, valve covers, and fender is going to be a monumental task. This is not in anyway fault of the these headers or TMH or FMS or whatever, this is a big motor in a small truck issue.
The only other thing that I saw complained about was that a couple of the bolt holes are very tight to the runner, and a bolt can't be used, you must use a stud and nut. I found that test fitting this is a defiantly the case on I believe 5 of the holes a stud would be needed instead of a bolt. This can be a negative I suppose, yeah maybe they should include a new full stud kit with these, but they don't.. Is what it is.
I ordered the full ARP 100-1414 302 3/8" x 1.670" stud/nut kit, I had no intention of reusing the old rusty exhaust bolts in the first place anyway. We will see if the ARP kit fits nicely on the all the runners.
I won't even address the exhaust gasket complaints, they send you some individual per-runner of the typical material that comes with every ebay exhaust, turbo, header, cat, testpipe, manifold, wastegate, whatever item ever sold. Use it or go buy your favorite gasket brand and use them instead.
The bolts and gaskets have zero to do with the quality of the header or the fitment. That is just a personal issue as to if you feel it is a total package or install solution in one box. Personally I don't give a **** about either, the headers fit the block and clear the heads, the welds are as good or better than TMH (which were not impressive anyway), the stainless is 304l and decent thickness, so pricey or not they are pretty damn decent and the only boltin option available anymore.
If it makes one mad because you may need to purchase studs and gaskets and pay a shop 8 hours labor or take your entire weekend to fight them into the assembled truck on top of them being $5xx then maybe they aren't for you, and that's all good.
Otherwise they fit the engine well, the holes all lined up with the block holes and they shipped the next day and arrived in 3 more.
All that being said, I obviously don't have them in the truck, only on the motor, so I can't say they fit the frame/truck as good as they do the motor. So don't take my current position of being happy with them as some guarantee that they are flawless just yet. And since I am Z'd and the motor lowered when I do set it in the truck it's not going to represent what most of the interested guys will have. So it will take someone else purchased and installing them into a unmodified frame to gauge that aspect of them.
Hope this may help some of you guys, and I will be posting more pics as I mess with the truck some more soon.
TMH's or any other header I'm sure is hell to install with the engine in the truck, I don't doubt that one bit, these 5.0 in these SLA frame minitrucks are an extremely tight fit on the width and to try to work any set of headers onto the head around the upper control arm mounts, steering shaft, frame, valve covers, and fender is going to be a monumental task. This is not in anyway fault of the these headers or TMH or FMS or whatever, this is a big motor in a small truck issue.
The only other thing that I saw complained about was that a couple of the bolt holes are very tight to the runner, and a bolt can't be used, you must use a stud and nut. I found that test fitting this is a defiantly the case on I believe 5 of the holes a stud would be needed instead of a bolt. This can be a negative I suppose, yeah maybe they should include a new full stud kit with these, but they don't.. Is what it is.
I ordered the full ARP 100-1414 302 3/8" x 1.670" stud/nut kit, I had no intention of reusing the old rusty exhaust bolts in the first place anyway. We will see if the ARP kit fits nicely on the all the runners.
I won't even address the exhaust gasket complaints, they send you some individual per-runner of the typical material that comes with every ebay exhaust, turbo, header, cat, testpipe, manifold, wastegate, whatever item ever sold. Use it or go buy your favorite gasket brand and use them instead.
The bolts and gaskets have zero to do with the quality of the header or the fitment. That is just a personal issue as to if you feel it is a total package or install solution in one box. Personally I don't give a **** about either, the headers fit the block and clear the heads, the welds are as good or better than TMH (which were not impressive anyway), the stainless is 304l and decent thickness, so pricey or not they are pretty damn decent and the only boltin option available anymore.
If it makes one mad because you may need to purchase studs and gaskets and pay a shop 8 hours labor or take your entire weekend to fight them into the assembled truck on top of them being $5xx then maybe they aren't for you, and that's all good.
Otherwise they fit the engine well, the holes all lined up with the block holes and they shipped the next day and arrived in 3 more.
All that being said, I obviously don't have them in the truck, only on the motor, so I can't say they fit the frame/truck as good as they do the motor. So don't take my current position of being happy with them as some guarantee that they are flawless just yet. And since I am Z'd and the motor lowered when I do set it in the truck it's not going to represent what most of the interested guys will have. So it will take someone else purchased and installing them into a unmodified frame to gauge that aspect of them.
Hope this may help some of you guys, and I will be posting more pics as I mess with the truck some more soon.
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