DSmith01

Just like the title says, I'm just looking for some information on long tube headers. The good, the bad, the ugly, on a 5.0L. I am currently looking at ARH, Kooks, and Stainless Works, but if there are other brands throw them out there. I will also be ding a hatless y pipe into a 3.5 inch exhaust.

if there is another thread on this topic already tag them. I searched and could not find anything.

Dapepper9

I purchased JBAs because they advertised v-band collectors and the price was good. JBA makes a good solid part but i returned them. The "v-bands" as they call them are little more than the edges of the pipe rolled backwards and flattened against itself. Even off the truck the clamps didn't want to go over them.

i then purchased OBX from Ebay instead and im pretty happy with them. They are a knockoff of ARH from what i can tell but the quality is surprisingly good. They are Ebay stainless and if you've ever held an ARH and an Ebay stainless header they just feel different. The Ebay feels lighter or thinner even though the metal is the same gauge. Almost clangy if that makes sense whereas name brand American made products feel sturdier and heavier.

Still though, i think my OBX were a pretty good deal. One thing that was nice was the fake cats that are actually resonators that do in fact feature stone fiberglass packing. Probably burned out within a couple hours of operation but they did take some of the edge off until you get used to it.

To really make them last i had them sanded blasted with 100g Aluminum Oxide and then i cleaned and cerakoted them myself. 5k or so later and they're holding up like the day i put em on

base4291ball

During this install how much did you have to remove to make room for install? Starter i know...but did you raise the motor, remove skid plates, drive shaft, steering shaft, etc? thanks

Dapepper9

yes I raised the passenger side, removed the front driveshaft, removed the alternator for the driverside and removed the ac condenser on the passenger side. Probably didn’t need to remove them but it made some stuff easier

base4291ball

Okay, so raising the motor or lifting the cab up is excessive? ive read on other threads this was done for my model (2013 w/5.0L)

Dapepper9

idk about excessive, pretty common. Your 13 isn’t going to be any different than my 12

base4291ball

This is a big relief from other threads i've read. Thank you so much, i hope you're right! Will start my install once i get back in the country from work on the 20th! Thanks, man

Dapepper9

one thing to take into account is find a better place to lift the motor from. I used a jack and wood blocks...I don’t recommend. Started to push the oil pan in slightly and luckily I caught it before it did any real damage. But yeah lol find someplace more solid

base4291ball

A guy with a '12 said all he did was jack the truck up, remove alternator and ac. didn't need to take motor mounts off or raise motor? i hope that's all it is and i don't have to mess with the motor. if so i may go have it done. i dont have that much confidence. what year f150 did you raise the motor on for a long tube install?

Dapepper9

2012. I found it easier to do by raising the passenger side. Maybe I could’ve done it without, maybe not. Idk. It’s only 2 nuts to take off and it’s ready to raise. Driverside i did not lift at all. Different brands fit differently as well. Stainless Works and Kooks aren’t the same bends as ARH and my knockoff ARHs