I want to get a set of headers for my truck in the future, with so many out there what do people recommend as far as performance and sound, i have a 5.2 with a magnaflow exhaust . heard good things about the Gibson and JBA but there is a $200 difference in favor of the Gibson. any feedback will help.
Headers?
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I don't know much about either, I haven't really done the research yet. I have had a few friends tell me that the JBA headers are the best choice...I haven't heard much of anything else on Dodges out here.
I would say that what to get would depend on the year of your truck. If you do not have precats then I would get a set of headers like the JBA or Kenne Bell that have the y pipe with them that welds to the cat. That little y pipe kills power.
If your truck is new enough that it has precats then get a set of Gibsons.. They are very good.. I have them on mine and they made a difference.
If your truck is new enough that it has precats then get a set of Gibsons.. They are very good.. I have them on mine and they made a difference.
You CAN remove the cats... Yes if you go to the dealer without cats it could void the warranty for your engine, but not anything else. To get past the no CAT problem due to dual Oxygen Sensors there are such things as O2 SIMM's. I had a set on my Z-28 because I had no cat's.
What ya do is unplug your rear O2 Sensor (after the cat), and plug this device into it (on both sides). The O2 simms, effectively tell your computer that your cats are workign PERFECTLY, like they would in a perfect world. Hence keeping your computer happy and giving you more power. You keep the front O2 sensor intact and plugged in so the computer can still adjust everything.
You'll have to check and see if they're available for your truck. I know they're made for Camaro's, Firebird's, and Corvette's, etc... I'd imagine they're produced for trucks too.
-Chris
What ya do is unplug your rear O2 Sensor (after the cat), and plug this device into it (on both sides). The O2 simms, effectively tell your computer that your cats are workign PERFECTLY, like they would in a perfect world. Hence keeping your computer happy and giving you more power. You keep the front O2 sensor intact and plugged in so the computer can still adjust everything.
You'll have to check and see if they're available for your truck. I know they're made for Camaro's, Firebird's, and Corvette's, etc... I'd imagine they're produced for trucks too.
-Chris
When i first bought the truck (2001 ram 4x4 1500) i was running a straight pipe for exhaust, but it became overly loud and annoying and people starting telling me that i could screw up my valves because there wasnt enough backpressure . i went to the local muffler shop and the guy there told me that all the backpressure the engine needs comes form my catalytic converter, how will the truck run without the cat.
it seems wherever i go i get different opinions
it seems wherever i go i get different opinions
I saw you guys talking about cutting cats off and thought I would share my limited knowledge. I cut my cats off of my 97, 360 and have 2.5 inch pipe running from the manifold to my 2 chamber flowmasters. I have two mufflers sitting side by side and nothing after the mufflers. Made a very noticeable difference in power. Rediculously loud, but I'm 19 and in college and college girls love big loud trucks so who cares? I had the muffler shop cut a small hole in each pipe and weld in a fitting that the O2 sensor will thread into. I put the sensors in the same approximate length as factory from the mainfold and it works. I don't know what the computer thinks is going on but it must be ok bc the check engine light has never come on. My power improved so it must be doing the right thing.
i think im gonna keep the cat, and just get a high flow one from magnaflow to match the exhaust, and find some headers for it. my truck was ridiculously loud when i had the straight pipe on and went to school out in the country and your right girls do dig loud trucks, but living in a city i had to put some sort of muffler on.,
still lookin for some headers though.
still lookin for some headers though.
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I know all you guys are or were talking about Dodges here, and i really hate to rain on your parade = ), but I asm looking for a set of headers for my 89 Bronco with a 351 in it and a C-6 tranny. I have been told that BBK is the brand to get when you have a Ford, but I can't find anyone who sells that particular brand. I have seen a set of Borlas in person too, although they were for a Chevy, and I was quite impressed with their quality. Thick flanges!!! They have a lifetime warranty on them as well. I wouldn't mind trying a set of those. Just a little input too, small primary tube diameter builds torque, and large primary tubes build high end horsepower. I just want a "shorty" header with small primaries that will bolt on to my stock downpipe. I have to keep the stock downpipe because I have dual cats and the downpipe welds into the precat. It's kind of goffy, you would have to see it. There are actually two tubes that go into the cat, approximately 1.5 in. in diameter. Damned Fords!!!
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If you are in an emissions testing or inspection state and your truck is required to have testing (In CA its every 2 or 4 years depending on where you live for anything 20 years or newer) then you can't remove your cat because you'd never pass the visual inspection for emissions testing.
From what I understand.... it is a violation of federal law to remove or otherwise render ineffective a catalytic converter that has less than 50k mile on it (hence the dealer 70-80k emissions warranty). Also, I beleive that a cat is required on all vehicles in which it was original equipment.
From what I understand.... it is a violation of federal law to remove or otherwise render ineffective a catalytic converter that has less than 50k mile on it (hence the dealer 70-80k emissions warranty). Also, I beleive that a cat is required on all vehicles in which it was original equipment.
You could keep it on the vehicle for the "visual" inspection... <IMG SRC="/board/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif"> But no one said it had to be functional. Just take a 3" pipe and stuff it thru the cat (after punching out the ceramic block).
Don't ask why I know about that <IMG SRC="/board/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif"> I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.
-Chris
Don't ask why I know about that <IMG SRC="/board/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif"> I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.
-Chris
On the newer trucks is it possible to convert to true dual exhaust? I would run down and do it tomorrow if I wasnt worried about the location of the O2 sensor being at the Y where the left and right pipe come together.
Unless I am mistaken it does get a reading from both sides right?
Unless I am mistaken it does get a reading from both sides right?
Hey Bill, thinking of getting the Gibson headers for my off-road. Are you happy with yours? Can you tell a noticable difference in sound and performance? Is it worth the 400.00? I personally don't know much about headers, but am looking for a good increase in performance. Trying to decide between the headers or a Jet Module. I have a MagnaFlow exhaust setup and want it to sound a little more beefier. Do you remember the product # by any chance? And last question...should I go with Stainless Steel or Nickel Plated Chrome? Thanks for any info.
Hey Bill,
My truck is a 97 and I have true duals and no cats. As I understand the law (take it at face value) in Missouri at least, it is illegal for a muffler shop to cut the cats off. I know of two shops who have paid $10,000 fines each to the EPA! I think it is legal to cut them off yourself but it won't pass inspection. I work at a parts store and my guy wants the right parts so my truck passes inspection with flying colors. I am also from a small enough town (600 people) you have to argue with the local muffler man to get him to leave your cats on. As far as o2 sensors put them back in the duals, one in each pipe, at the same approximate lengh as factory. Mine works great but I don't know if the newer trucks are different. I don't know how it is for you guys where you live. You Cali. boys can forget it, you guys have crazy laws. They wouldn't let my truck cross the state line.
My truck is a 97 and I have true duals and no cats. As I understand the law (take it at face value) in Missouri at least, it is illegal for a muffler shop to cut the cats off. I know of two shops who have paid $10,000 fines each to the EPA! I think it is legal to cut them off yourself but it won't pass inspection. I work at a parts store and my guy wants the right parts so my truck passes inspection with flying colors. I am also from a small enough town (600 people) you have to argue with the local muffler man to get him to leave your cats on. As far as o2 sensors put them back in the duals, one in each pipe, at the same approximate lengh as factory. Mine works great but I don't know if the newer trucks are different. I don't know how it is for you guys where you live. You Cali. boys can forget it, you guys have crazy laws. They wouldn't let my truck cross the state line.
hey glock4u i am wondering about the same thing i also want the boost in performance and am running the magnaflow exhaust, eventually want to put a new cat on and some headers, i am leaning towards the JBA or gibson, probably gonna be stainless steal. i dont really want a chip because i pay enough in gas and dont wanna run the 93 octane. bill how do the headers sound?
BigTruckin, yeah I hear ya about the gas prices with the Jet module. If I'm not mistaken though, the Jet Stage II requires the 93 octane. Jet also makes a Stage I which requires the middle grade(Plus). So..this might make you lean more on the module. I don't really know what seperates the two though as far as performance wise. I personally would probably go with the Stage I. Check out summitracing.com, that's where I saw both of them.
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