Header Questions

[BackInBlack]

I don't think I'm gonna make any more progress as far as the issues my car has -- and I don't think the issues I have are so bad as to warrant engine replacement. My buddies here locally who are also car guys tend to think I'm nitpicking with this car. I don't think so... but it may be time to move on. So I started thinking, how many of the mod goals I have would be OK to run on an engine that has minor issues? I came up with headers. Installing headers would serve a dual purpose also as I could rule out exhaust leaks from my list of potential problem sources. Not that I know anything about it but I'd like to think the car would run better overall with headers... And in the case that my engine does go, I can still keep the headers.

So what headers would I run? Well, I worked so hard to maintain the side pipes on this car, so -- I'd be looking at either the Kooks Boss or the ARH Boss headers. You guys seem to have a higher opinion of the ARH headers, but they have an X-pipe whereas the Kooks has an H-pipe. I think I'd prefer the H but I might go with the ARH based on you guys's recommendations... I'd be getting the more streetable versions... probably 1-3/4" with the 400 cell cats.

So questions... Is ceramic coating worth it? How about header wrap? Both? I'd be having them professionally installed and would replace while-you're-in-there's while we're in there. Probably engine mounts, starter, OEM header studs and OEM gaskets. Any starter recommendations? Is stock OK? Or should I get one of those mini-starters? I have 3 tuning options now so I think I'll be good on that.

Any pitfalls I should know about? I see some guys recommending teflon tape for the header studs... How about heat management? I've seen other people adding heat tape to things near the headers... My hood is not vented. I'd like to but right now it gets parked outdoors...

Pretty sure that cams are out of the question for this car right now... maybe E85 is doable? Anyone think I should re-evaluate my life choices?

 

[BackInBlack]

Hmm, this seems to be the ticket in regards to the starter...

https://lmr.com/item/M11000C50/Mustang-Ford-Racing-High-Torque-Mini-Starter-M-11000-C50

 

[Mad Hatter]

I was a proud owner of a Kooks setup with x pipe... until the collector spike launched its self down the exhaust and ended up who knows were. After that. bought a set of ebay chinese LT headers and my builder sawed then end off and added a very nice custom collector that was tuned to suck... (in a good way.. better stop.) To be honest the crappy ebay header outperformed the Kooks and looks better made with better welds etc. The headers cost me US$256 for the pair and the collector was another $500. Its been going strong for years, very happy with them. Since then, they are the only headers the shop has done and he must have a dozen cars over 500rwhp with them installed

 

[mycroft]

Ceramic coating... it's fine. It works, but it's expensive. So is it worth it? Debatable. Header wrap, no. Moisture collects between the wrap and the header and contributes to early corrosion.

I am not 100% pleased with the Kooks fitment, but it's not a terrible system. It's not a true long tube, more of a mid tube length. Given what I know now I'd probably go for the ARH kit just to see if it's any better.

 

[blacksheep-1]

I've crewed on cars with Kooks and also ARH, I take the latter over the former for a competition car. For a street car, I'd prolly bite on a set of BBK shorties in ceramic, because I've run them before and they stay tucked up under the car, I've had good luck with them on street cars.

 

[BackInBlack]

I was a proud owner of a Kooks setup with x pipe... until the collector spike launched its self down the exhaust and ended up who knows were. After that. bought a set of ebay chinese LT headers and my builder sawed then end off and added a very nice custom collector that was tuned to suck... (in a good way.. better stop.) To be honest the crappy ebay header outperformed the Kooks and looks better made with better welds etc. The headers cost me US$256 for the pair and the collector was another $500. Its been going strong for years, very happy with them. Since then, they are the only headers the shop has done and he must have a dozen cars over 500rwhp with them installed

I've heard you say that -- and honestly I might consider it but there's gotta be 50 different manufacturers of those things. With my luck I'd pick the wrong one and they wouldn't even fit! Mind showing me which ones you get?

Do you coat them or wrap them or anything? Or just the collector mod?

 

[BackInBlack]

Ceramic coating... it's fine. It works, but it's expensive. So is it worth it? Debatable. Header wrap, no. Moisture collects between the wrap and the header and contributes to early corrosion.

I am not 100% pleased with the Kooks fitment, but it's not a terrible system. It's not a true long tube, more of a mid tube length. Given what I know now I'd probably go for the ARH kit just to see if it's any better.

I was thinking that might be the case. So wrap is OK for race cars that live in a garage and have constant maintenance I guess, eh?

 

[BackInBlack]

I've crewed on cars with Kooks and also ARH, I take the latter over the former for a competition car. For a street car, I'd prolly bite on a set of BBK shorties in ceramic, because I've run them before and they stay tucked up under the car, I've had good luck with them on street cars.

BBK, huh? I've asked some tuners about them and they always balk. Probably trying to sell me something but... I've also seen here on TMO people complaining that the coating BBK uses comes off quick!

I wonder -- could I get any old brand of headers and have somebody weld them to some universal cats and my factory Boss H-pipe (which has already been welded to my stock cats so I'm not losing anything important)? It seems possible but if the width of the two is off it could make for some weirdness...

 

[blacksheep-1]

I've had good luck with them... and yes, you can get sets coated but that's an added expense. The problem I've seen with stainless headers is they crack, the ones on the older GT4 were (I think) made by Kooks and we were welding the x pipes back together all the time, The ARH, I've never seen crack. There really is a difference between track and street headers, the street headers should be thicker, therefore more robust. I would keep the headers separate from the rest of the exhaust system, fully welded systems are real hard to work around, somebody some place, prolly makes a complete system for your car.

 

[Dave_W]

Functionality-speaking, either leave the headers bare or use this. https://swaintech.com/race-coatings/race-coating-descriptions/white-lightning-exhaust-coatings/