So I finally got sick of listening to my cracked exhaust manifold and started looking for a replacement header. There are a bunch of different kinds out there that all seem to have a similar design but vastly different prices. I put this together to show some of the different manufacturers and their designs...
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2499791900032428 117dzwiUy
I left out a few like Gibson, Pacesetter, Edelbrock, and the cheapo stock like replacement with the accordian style bellow welded in but you get the gist. I was looking for something with quality manterials (Stainless) and a proven design. Banks seems to have a great product and my research turned up many positive reviews but its $$$.
I decided to go with the APN header since its a mirror image of the Banks, made with 321 stainless tubes, 1/2" flange, gaskets included, relatively cheap.
http://www.automoti vepartsnetwork. com/store/ pc/viewPrd. asp?idcategory=&idproduct=20009
I'm sure its made in China or overseas somewhere but it came in less than a week, and I was very satified with the construction and quality of the welds. It had a couple issues I wanted to address from a performance standpoint but by no means necessary. These mods are a bit much for a 4.0L but I plan on using it on a future stroker motor so doing it right the first time.
First, the tubes were welded to the flange on the inside which left a raised weld bead that would impeed flow, I took a die grinder to it and ported it to match the gasket. Before doing this I welded the tubes to the outside of the flange since they were just tacked originally and planned on grinding most of the inside welds off and didn't want it to crack...
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2543090500032428 117pdgKBK
Second, orignal collector was 2" ID to match the stock exhaust but since I was doing a completely new exhaust I changed to a 2.5" collector...
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2810611200032428 117BitmFb
The last thing I plan on doing is sending it off to Jet-Hot to get coated for extra durability, ~$200. Even after getting it coated it should still come in under the cost of a Borla or Banks so it pays to shop around. I'm looking around for a cheap '99+ intake manifold to add when I do the swap but I'll let you know how the install goes.
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2499791900032428 117dzwiUy
I left out a few like Gibson, Pacesetter, Edelbrock, and the cheapo stock like replacement with the accordian style bellow welded in but you get the gist. I was looking for something with quality manterials (Stainless) and a proven design. Banks seems to have a great product and my research turned up many positive reviews but its $$$.
I decided to go with the APN header since its a mirror image of the Banks, made with 321 stainless tubes, 1/2" flange, gaskets included, relatively cheap.
http://www.automoti vepartsnetwork. com/store/ pc/viewPrd. asp?idcategory=&idproduct=20009
I'm sure its made in China or overseas somewhere but it came in less than a week, and I was very satified with the construction and quality of the welds. It had a couple issues I wanted to address from a performance standpoint but by no means necessary. These mods are a bit much for a 4.0L but I plan on using it on a future stroker motor so doing it right the first time.
First, the tubes were welded to the flange on the inside which left a raised weld bead that would impeed flow, I took a die grinder to it and ported it to match the gasket. Before doing this I welded the tubes to the outside of the flange since they were just tacked originally and planned on grinding most of the inside welds off and didn't want it to crack...
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2543090500032428 117pdgKBK
Second, orignal collector was 2" ID to match the stock exhaust but since I was doing a completely new exhaust I changed to a 2.5" collector...
http://rides. webshots. com/photo/ 2810611200032428 117BitmFb
The last thing I plan on doing is sending it off to Jet-Hot to get coated for extra durability, ~$200. Even after getting it coated it should still come in under the cost of a Borla or Banks so it pays to shop around. I'm looking around for a cheap '99+ intake manifold to add when I do the swap but I'll let you know how the install goes.
