Headers: Aerostar vs Edelbrock

[DirtBronco]

I got my hands on both sets of the header options for a comparison. We’ve often said the Aerostar units are “shorties” next to the Edelbrocks, yet they are not that different, especially when it comes to the short bank set.

In addition to more balanced tube length, the Aerostar also have same diameter extractors on both sides as where the Edelbrocks have ~1/4” narrower pipes on the drivers/short side.

Im not an exhaust tech but I would wager the Aerostar units would perform near 1:1 with the Edelbrocks if not outperform on a mild build due to the symmetry if you were running something like true duals(boo) or an H pipe.

 

[ford4wd08]

You've got the holy grail for 2.8 in terms of exhaust. Most can't find a set of either let alone having both on their hands.

 

[DirtBronco]

Ideally i would like to take see which performs better then take the winners to a tube shop and see what it’d run to mock up some spares for the community.

 

[Hoosierman]

I'd certainly be interested to know if a production run however limited could be managed. My manifold is not looking good.

 

[JoshT]

Ideally i would like to take see which performs better then take the winners to a tube shop and see what it’d run to mock up some spares for the community.

I no longer have a 2.8L Ranger to use them on, but I too think this would be awesome. Honestly even if they aren't the winners, which ever set could be reproduced woudl bve awaesom. Either would be an improvement over used factory cast manifolds, and a whole lot of improvement over the nothing new that is available today.

I've still got both the engine and the truck, just that it's totaled so can't use these. If I ever put that engine back into something, I'd probably be interested in a set too. Even if it wasn't a Ranger chassis, they would probably be a good starting point. I had long tubes on the '84, but dad installed them back in the '80s and the truck was totaled in '09, so there probably isn't much left of them today.

 

[DirtBronco]

I still need to have a y pipe mock'd up for the Aerostars but I think those should be the easiest to recreate. The eddie's are just plain weird.

One anticipatory issue, my truck is RWD so someone with 4WD may also need to participate to ensure a universal fit.
From what I understand, some(assuming 4WD) models have a collision issue with the TTB's. The extractors shoot straight down, as where the edelbrock wraps to the back of the block before tucking under the firewall.
Doesn't look to be an issue with with mine but I've heard of some folks having to notch their frame for clearance.

If anyone in North GA has a good tube shop they trust, let me know.

 

[JoshT]

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about mocking up a y-pipe for reproduction. Headers take a lot of time and work to make from scratch. Many shops wouldn't want to, or are not equiped/capable to, tackle that work. Y-pipes are easy.

No matter how you slice it custom pipes will need to be made for the rest of the system. Many people will want to go dual exhaust which precludes the need for a y-pipe. If they want to run single exhaust, an exhaust shop can build one easily enough.