I have a 2006 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L and have put on the Air Raid cold air intack and throttle spacer. My plan is for a performance exhaust, Magnaflow 3" single pipe, but am I waisting my time if I keep the stock headers in place? Or can I leave them alone? Money for things like this is always an issue at my level, just getting by and want to get the most bang for the buck.

 

Exhaust will help. It would be better with aftermarket headers, but every little bit adds up to making a full package. If money is the problem, do it one little piece at a time, but be warned it usually cost more in the long run to do it that way. Trust me I have been "working" on mine since I bought it 7+ years ago.

 

You're not wasting your time, just don't expect huge gains from a cat back system. Do a custom 3" Magnaflow from the stock Y back and then if you feel the need, then look into a custom tune and long tube headers at the same time.

 

It wont as great without headers but like you said your trying to get the best bang for your buck i would go with the headers then the exhaust if it was mine.

Good Luck