headers

BDSeff1fitty · 02-14-09, 06:21 PM

what headers will sit highest from the ground so i won't have to worry about damaging them in the rocks or on trails. the man-a-fre 2 pieces look good, but there expensive. sors looks long, and so do jto's. marksoffroad look nice and are better priced than the sors and man-a-fre's but i can't tell how far they hang down. so tell me your personal experiences with the headers you have and how high they sit from the ground.

2badfjs · 02-14-09, 07:18 PM

i run Downeys

Downey Off-Road Exhaust Headers

Rocknroll · 02-14-09, 11:09 PM

I run one from Mark's Off Road. Good fit, price, and all around good dude to work with.

BDSeff1fitty · 02-15-09, 08:14 AM

how have the marksoffroad held up? aren't they chrome plated? i want something that will last obviously

how long are downeys? i want something that sits about even with the frame rail or hangs down maybe a couple more inches

ken_79-fj40 · 02-15-09, 08:27 AM

I think the header Mark's off road sells is the same header Downey sells, which is what I have. My motor's out for a rebuild so I can't verify this but I think the bottom edge of collector just barely hangs below the bottom of the frame a little. I would be more concerned with bashing in the oil pan right next to it than the header collector.

BDSeff1fitty · 02-15-09, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_79-fj40

I think the header Mark's off road sells is the same header Downey sells, which is what I have. My motor's out for a rebuild so I can't verify this but I think the bottom edge of collector just barely hangs below the bottom of the frame a little. I would be more concerned with bashing in the oil pan right next to it than the header collector.

ok thanks. ill eventually at some point probly build skid plates to protect alot of stuff once the rigs being build, i just want everything to be as high as possible to keep out of the way

LC_Hamma · 02-15-09, 08:50 AM

All the aftermarket headers set below the framerails, so you'll need to cut off the old tubes & bend up some like I did for my

These set about 2" below the TOP of the framerails. Good enough for front link suspension placement.

BDSeff1fitty · 02-15-09, 09:06 AM

i don't have a bender so i would have to find someone to make some, and im sure it would be much more expensive that way

joeyg1973 · 02-15-09, 06:03 PM

I was thinking of buying the MAF tuned headers, but the more I look at them the more I wonder how all 6 are of the same length. I can see the front 3 and the back 3 being tuned but to join them up, they would be unbalanced and hence not tuned if you joined the 2 halves together with a Y pipe. Kinda defeats the purpose.

BDSeff1fitty · 02-15-09, 06:55 PM

the MAF 2 piece looks amazing, i just don't know if $450 is how much i wanna spend on a set of headers when i definitely don't need that much money gone right now.

Trollhole · 02-15-09, 08:23 PM

What about a set of 62 manifolds?

BDSeff1fitty · 02-16-09, 08:12 AM

Trollhole, do you like the 62's or do you wish you had headers?

also, i have been meaning to PM you, how did you get your block so clean for paint? i was thinking about sandblasting part of my motor and covering everything up really good so no sand could get in the engine but im not sure how i like that idea.

Coolerman · 02-16-09, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDSeff1fitty

I was thinking about sandblasting part of my motor, and covering everything up really good so no sand could get in the engine. I'm not sure how i like that idea.

NOT a good idea! High pressure sand blasting will force sand into places you would not believe. Just use a heavy degreaser, wire brushes, putty knives, and plenty of elbow grease to remove most of the grease. Then switch to dish washing liquid and a good scrub brush. Rinse well, dry, prime, and paint.

Trollhole · 02-16-09, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDSeff1fitty

Trollhole, do you like the 62's or do you wish you had headers?

also, i have been meaning to PM you, how did you get your block so clean for paint? i was thinking about sandblasting part of my motor and covering everything up really good so no sand could get in the engine but im not sure how i like that idea.

I cannot tell the difference. Honestly I don't think headers make all that big a difference.

I like these cause I can use all the mounting holes the 86-87 head had. But From what I can tell they will fit on any 2f. Just some of the holes are not used. You do have to grind some of the intake manifold away but it doesn't effect it.

Engine was hot tanked prior to the build.

joeyg1973 · 02-16-09, 12:35 PM

Mine wasn't hot tanked but the shop here has to use some sort of ultrasonic hot water spraying thingy. It is basically a giant washing machine and it did a great job.

Don't sandblast it, you will just ruin the motor. You could hot water pressure wash it.

BTW most of the headers that are made for the 2f are nothing special and unless ALL the pipe lengths are the same, you won't see much of a performance improvement. But this is just an opinion and much like assholes everybody has one.

Pighead · 02-16-09, 12:50 PM

I've had a few headers over the years...I'm running Downey headers now, like them the best so far.

BDSeff1fitty · 02-16-09, 02:23 PM

the reason for me wanting headers isn't for performance, it looks better IMO, i just figured since im spending all the money and time to get the engine bay to look good i might as well do what i think looks best, but i do like those manifolds trollhole has.

Pighead · 02-16-09, 02:54 PM

I believe Mr, Whatley sez that 3f manifolds pull as well as headers...
But I had a cracked manifold, so been running headers for 20 years....

NuGGerNauTT · 02-16-09, 04:38 PM

I have the SOR 2 piece's and they look great. The bummer for me was that I had to remove my stock skid plate to fit the pipes. (I picked up the entire kit...headers to tailpipe from SOR) I haven't yet gotten back to trying to cut and fit the plate. Overall, they only hang down below the frame by a little bit. If you like I can measure and get back to you.

Tigerstripe40 · 02-16-09, 05:03 PM

Honestly, you have more to worry about than the exhaust hanging below the frame rails. I run the Man-A-Fre cheapie header (it came on my truck). I've been hung up on my differentials, u-bolts, spring hangers, t-case, rear drive shaft, etc. MANY more times than I have hit the exhaust manifold (actually, I have never hit it on a trail).

Just go with the header you like best.

Eshu Elegua · 02-16-09, 06:00 PM

I don't know the brand of my headers,its came with my 76..but they run all the tube inside the chassis.

map101 · 02-16-09, 08:50 PM

Put on the MAF ceramic headers this last summer. very happy with the fit and also installed their matching muffler and tailpipe. The 2 1/2 inch pipes all the way to the back and the way the pipes fit up high under the body is great. really improved the power. the only drawback that I noticed was with larger tires the end of the tailpipe takes a little tweeking for clearance.

65swb45 · 02-16-09, 11:35 PM

The header I sell IS THE DOWNEY HEADER. I think I've even said that on the website. Best one out there IMO. I've run one for almost 20 years now. NEVER had a clearance issue with one.

Best

Mark A.

Pighead · 02-17-09, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pighead

I've had a few headers over the years...I'm running Downey headers now, like them the best so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65swb45

The header I sell IS THE DOWNEY HEADER. I think I've even said that on the website. Best one out there IMO. I've run one for almost 20 years now. NEVER had a clearance issue with one.

Best

Mark A.

...What he said...

BDSeff1fitty · 02-17-09, 09:24 AM

mark, all i saw on your site is the chrome, do you have the ceramic?

Downey · 02-17-09, 04:28 PM

(a) The Downeys are available in chrome or ceramic.
(b) Headers give a better mpg gain than hp gain.
(c) I don't think the average working Joe could afford a fully tuned Header. My guess is they would cost $1,000-plus!!!

CruisinMT · 02-18-09, 11:40 AM

is there anyone that makes headers for the siamese port early engines? Can they be made?

mtweller · 03-02-09, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

You do have to grind some of the intake manifold away but it doesn't effect it.

Hey Marshall, can you elaborate on the grinding. I have a set of manifolds on the way

Trollhole · 03-03-09, 06:20 AM

The casting where the old exhast manifold bolted to the intake has to be ground down a little on the engine side. It might take you 5 min to do with a grinder. It's not much. And it's just the corners. Non of what you grind off will effect the intake performance As it was the section where the exhaust normal bolted to it.

mtweller · 03-03-09, 07:23 AM

Thanks so much for the super quick response and great pics! Hope to see you on some rides soon - Can't wait for OBX!