Headers... big improvement?

[jvazquez53]

Are headers a major improvement on the 2F and 3fe engines? Any horsepower or torque gain on an engine with no intake or exhaust leaks?

 

[Tinker]

If you have the inevitable 2F intake/exhaust leak, MAF's 6-2-1 ceramic-coated headers are worth the time & effort IMHO. Did that & an Accel 300+ ignition on my '83 & it made a significant difference.

Otherwise, no.

 

[REKCUT]

It will make an improvement but its not like your going to get in and start doing burn-outs.

 

[Cruzerman]

I found the improvement minor. However, if your stock exhaust is cracked, I'd go headers.

 

[Matt60]

improvement yes, it takes less time to do a head job and to replace the manifold gaskets looks cleaner... horse power, ?

 

[lehiguy]

I have never done a stand alone header, it was always in conjuction with a desmog and a different carb, all of which helped... lots. There is a fair amount of discussion about getting a header to seal up to the head properly. If you use a Toyota gasket for an F motor and use shims where needed, you shouldn't have any problems, I never did.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I just put the new style 6-1 headers on my rig in conjunction with a desmog, a carb rebuild and a 2.5" exhaust. I found a significant improvement, but my carb hadn't been looked at in about 100k and my smog pump had died about a year prior.

There's a link to my header install in my sig.

 

[REKCUT]

I just put the new style 6-1 headers on my rig in conjunction with a desmog, a carb rebuild and a 2.5" exhaust. I found a significant improvement, but my carb hadn't been looked at in about 100k and my smog pump had died about a year prior.

There's a link to my header install in my sig.

X2 on all of this. Huge improvement. Header alone, small but not really noticable

 

[macneill]

I guess. i have the MAF header & high-flo cat combo going into a Maganflow.

Sounds cool at least.

 

[_Lou_]

So, (sorry for the hijack) can a header be put on with out a de-smog? If so, I have seen several headers on the market, which one is best? I don't really want to de-smog, but I am tired of the exhaust leaks.

 

[RockDoc]

I've read that the 3FE manifolds are pretty good stock, and the headers for them are more trouble than they are worth. No first hand experience though.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

So, (sorry for the hijack) can a header be put on with out a de-smog? If so, I have seen several headers on the market, which one is best? I don't really want to de-smog, but I am tired of the exhaust leaks.

Yes, but you have to weld on a provision for the EGR system. Like was said before, make sure to get a stock F manifold gasket. They are touted to be the best.

 

[cruiser88]

I've read that the 3FE manifolds are pretty good stock, and the headers for them are more trouble than they are worth. No first hand experience though.

You sir be correct.

 

[jvazquez53]

I guess. i have the MAF header & high-flo cat combo going into a Maganflow.

Sounds cool at least.

I only got the Magnaflow muffler and tailpipe, and my truck runs great!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah, I only have a Flowmaster 40 series and 2.5" tube, but damn it sounds good.

 

[jvazquez53]

I was just curious about the headers. My 60 runs better than my 80. I was thinking more on the 80 since is runs so sluggish compared to the 60. I know that probably is heavier, and the automatic transmission is a factor. As of now, the 60 will stay headerless, unless it develops problems. I'll go to the 80 side of the house and get some feedback.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Aww man, they'll just tell you to polish the valve cover and throw on a supercharger

Just kidding, haha. Good luck!