header question

[puty72]

Im planning on doin a 5.0 swap this spring and i was wonder what headers to use on an 89 ranger 4x4

 

[RebuildRanger]

I used some hedman headers that are shorty style.

Wish I could remember the part number for it, but I do remember buying them from jegs, and that I read what header to use on anFAQ on this site or on RPS. And they was only like 175 at the time.

Good luck with your build

 

[1mean02hd]

I'm wondering the same thing for my 95 4x4. Most guys that I have seen with the newer trucks like mine all run GT40P Explorer engines and use the headers/manifolds from that. My engine will have E7s on it, so any help is greatly appreciated.... oh yeah I don't have $600+ to spend on some crazy headers either... and will be utilizing an M5OD-R2.

 

[baddad457]

Any of you ever thought of using the "search" feature?

 

[ChrisR1S]

Yeah, remember most stuff here has been asked a couple dozen times in many variations. Search button is your friend!
But on topic though, ask yourself what heads are you going to run? what's your budget? Do you want to stay cheap and run manifolds? do you want shorties? Longtubes? Do you want to do frame cutting? what trans and t-case? Tons of varibles man.... if you tell these guys exactly whats going on and show that you're willing to search and try on your own most here will go out of their way to help

 

[1mean02hd]

Tried the search button, hoss. I don't ever get a definitive answer. Either I see them with GTP motors and the funky Ford headers, or the crazy, ungodly expensive Torque Monsters, or they have some other sort of funky stuff on them. So in other words...manifolds= No. They aren't worth the hassle trying to find them and getting an exhaust shop to make flanges for them isn't worth it either. It isn't worth spending $750 on headers for a mildly built DD-type street truck project that was bought initially for $650. I have some flanges I cut off some old headers. If it comes down to it, I'll order some tubing and make my own.

 

[RebuildRanger]

I ran the hedman headers with e7 heads as well they'll work. Now I have an engine on the way with aluminum afr heads so well see what works when that gets here in a couple of weeks.

I did a complete swap to v8 4 years ago and now Im going all over it again and making this truck as bad ass as it can get. Questions I knew the answer to before I now have seem to forgotten, so Im back in your boat again.

 

[ChrisR1S]

If you're running e7s you don't NEED torque monsters. They ARe used primarily by guys running GT40-p heads. An correct there is no deff answer. Varies from set up to set up. Look in jegs they have swap shorty headers. Most mustang shorties will work but require minor frame trimming. As far as longtubes I know tri y's work on 2wds idk about 4wds YET...

 

[Psychopete]

Lots of info on this forum regarding headers, but this is what I see recommended the most for stock non-P heads with the different spark plug angles:

Hedman 88400.

Pete

 

[1mean02hd]

I ran the hedman headers with e7 heads as well they'll work. Now I have an engine on the way with aluminum afr heads so well see what works when that gets here in a couple of weeks.

I did a complete swap to v8 4 years ago and now Im going all over it again and making this truck as bad ass as it can get. Questions I knew the answer to before I now have seem to forgotten, so Im back in your boat again.

If you're running e7s you don't NEED torque monsters. They ARe used primarily by guys running GT40-p heads. An correct there is no deff answer. Varies from set up to set up. Look in jegs they have swap shorty headers. Most mustang shorties will work but require minor frame trimming. As far as longtubes I know tri y's work on 2wds idk about 4wds YET...

Rebuild, your previous swap was on a 2 wheel drive truck correct??? There are alot of different variables between a 2wd and 4wd truck other than a transfer case and a driveshaft. The front crossmembers are completely different and I know for a fact this causes oil pan drain plug clearance issues that are not present on a 2wd. Also, IIRC, when using the Hedman shorties for a Ranger, a notch must be cut in the crossmember on the passenger side. Can't necessarily do this on a 4wd truck.

Chris, I know I can't use torque monsters, thats why I keep trying to do research on this question. As far as Tri-Ys, they fit great on my 94 2wd with an E7 headed 302. Fit like they were made for this swap as I'm sure Teddy will attest as well. I was pondering the idea of the Tri-Ys the other day myself. So, I'm glad that you're gonna be the guinea pig and try to use them on your 4-by. But, I'm not so sure they will fit around the bigger bellhousing and transmission like they fit around a T5. I'm watching your thread closely, so be sure to take lots of pics when you fit the Tri-Ys.

I might have to check out those Fairlane shorties though... the Hedman 88400s...

 

[baddad457]

Tried the search button, hoss. I don't ever get a definitive answer.

You know, if you want the job done "right" you HAVE to do it yourself. You want to play, you've got to pay sometimes. I've tried the 89500's, then modified a 65-66 Stang 351W swap shorty (for the right side), then tried to fit a set of 2nd hand Hooker swap headers (they didn't even come close to fitting, making me question if they were indeed what the ebay seller said they were) Then bought the chromed Tri-Y's I've got now (bought em used too) And I'm in total agreement with ChrisR1S's answer..........there are so many variables involved in these swaps to get a definative answer you seek. So don't get your panties in a wad over getting ribbed for asking the question that's been asked more than a few hundred times here. If you can't roll with the punches, maybe you ought to be somewhere else. And in the end you just may have to resort to building what you want or modifying something to fit.

 

[1mean02hd]

I don't know have my panties in a bunch, I've done a 2wd swap already. I was just trying to get something like "Hey azzho.... the Tri-Ys won't work worth a crap on a 4-by, don't bother it's a waste of time" or "hey dude, they sorta work but I did this, this and this and modified them some but I made them work" type answers. Thats all. But seems like a guy on another thread confirmed what i had thought... Tri-Ys won't work on a 4-by with E7 heads, he tried them and the front driveshaft was in the way. Thats what I wanted to know.

 

[baddad457]

What did the E7's have to do with it ? And something else to ponder: many times what works for some, doesn't for others, this is due to where the engine was set in place. That's one thing you're going to have to realize, no matter what header you buy, just be ready to modify something to get them to fit. It's the nature of the beast. No two swaps are the same. And in finishing, I'll tell you right now why his tri-Y's didn't work with E7's. And it had nothing to do with the driveshaft. It was the outer contour of the heads below the ports. I ran into the same problem with mine. Fix was simple, take a grinder to the port flanges and give em a chamfer on the bottom to fit the head contour.

 

[1mean02hd]

I'm not gonna argue with you but I had not a single issue with Tri-Ys on my 94. The reason I am specifically pointing out that I am going to use E7s is because alot of cats use 97-newer Exploders for donor swaps. These trucks have GT40-P heads on them and the spark plug placement is very different than almost any other factory Ford Windsor-style small block head.