Okay guys, so I know a guy with a set of headers that came off of his 81 f150 5.0, and I want to put them on my truck, but I have questions.. Will they fit coming off of an 81? Mines a 1995 also with the 5.0 I know ford was notorious for changing stupid little things sometimes, so I'm just checking to see. Stupid question but I'm just paranoid. And would headers make much difference in my performance to be worth the 100 bucks? I've already got a cat back system, hypertech computer module, and a modified air intake. I just mainly want to know if they're gonna fit before I buy them. Thanks!

 

I'm not positive on the 5.0 but on the 4.9 they're all the same up until 96. Because of additional O2 sensors. First thing I would do is check the number and positions of O2 sensors on your manifolds and on the headers.

 

I don't think they'll fit........

However, a good way to verify is to look up the part number for cast iron manifolds and headers for both years to see if the number is the same or different.

Physically, they'll bolt up to the engine, but I'm not sure if they'll bolt up to the exhaust.

 

He HAS a 5.0. Listen to this guy, I have no clue what I'm talking about.

 

I'm doing a custom exhaust anyways, it's not stock right now. All I need to know is if they'll bolt up to the motor, I'm not worried about my exhaust. My 02 sensor is already rigged up different anyways haha. Also, I only have one 02 sensor. Which like I said is already rigged different, so that isn't an issue.

 

Is that sensor on the manifolds or after where the cat is supposed to be? If it isn't on the manifolds you should be fine. I don't think that anything really changed motor wise throughout 80-96 other than fuel injection and what not. They should bolt up just fine.

 

If you're doing a custom exhaust, those headers will work. They'll bolt up to the engine.

 

The heads are basically the same as far as bolting on. The whole motor is basically the same, for your purposes anyway.
You don't say if you have 4x4 or 2wd and whether the other truck is the same or not which I believe could be an issue with long tube headers.
But the motor castings and the frames are basically the same - you might have to mess around a bit, but you should be able to make them work.
We used to figure headers to be good for about a 10 % increase in HP and fuel mileage would increase 10 to 15%. That's from carbureted days though - don't know what they'll do for a fuel injected.

 

My truck is a 4x4. Does that make a huge difference? I really appreciate all this input!

 

It's past the manifolds, located on what is now my custom Y pipe. So I don't think that the 02 should be an issue.