My profile is up to date on my unit. After 18 years and 85k miles, my exhaust manifold has held together ok(bite my tongue). I know it is a matter of time until the dreaded 460 v8 manifold virus strikes, so I am looking at pre-emptive solutions. I don't think that I will go whole hog with Banks and that leads to my question. Is the Banks Stinger system a complete exhaust minus the headers? I can get Thorley headers with a Banks Stinger system for $500 less than a full Banks package. I am not handy enough to do major chassis work so labor will also be a consideration. Any suggestions and user reviews of your upgrades will be welcomed.Thanks, Tommy

Dont think you will ever say a dimes payback. You might be better off going to a real honest to goodness exhaust shop and pay them to rebuild your exhaust system.

I'm not looking for payback as much as stretching the age of the old girl another 10 years or so. She is doing ok now but like I said; this is preemptive. My friends keep telling me about how the newer ones have so many more options. The biggest of these is "PAYMENTS!".

I put the Doug Thorley headers on 1984 P30 454 years ago. They worked great and were only 1/2 the cost of the Banks system. I needed a manifold because a plug wire went bad which allowed an unburned fuel mixture to enter the manifold where it ignited and overheated the old cast iron manifold and cracked it. I could have paid GM big bucks for another cast iron manifold and been no better off than I had been or pay a little more and replace both of the cast iron manifolds, and all the exhaust piping. I went with the headers and exhaust pipes. It really helped between 45-60 when I was passing but there was no real difference in mpg.

Wasn't an RV but I did the same thing to two different vans One I put headers on the other just replaced the one stock exhaust manifold. My present Mo Ho has banks on it. Headers and exhaust. Did it help performance? I don't know it was on the rig when I bought it. Let your check book be your guide. I understand where your headed , wanting more years for the best buck.And maybe a little preventative maintenance. Heat cycles and exhaust manifold bolts ,not a good combination.the first van I did the headers then took it to a muffler shop for exhaust . The 2nd van I took it to Ford.

If you elect to use other than Banks headers, make sure to make heat shields for the starter, shift and E brake cables and the stuff running in the left frame rail. Banks does supply those heat shields with their headers. There has been various reports of shift and E brake cable failures from those that failed to protect those cables that are no longer available from Ford.I can tell you that Banks uses 308 stainless steel for their exhaust kits and the fit is perfect. No banging, bending, drilling or running to the store for pieces parts. Ya gets what ya pays for.Richard95 F53 460/528 BounderBanks Power Pack

Exhaust systems | Good Sam Community

Jim
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
I'm going to go against the advice so far and say that for that old of a rig, don't sink thousands into it. Not worth it.

Instead, do some online surfing to as many RV salvage companies you can find, and I believe there are hundreds. Find an exhaust manifold for your rig somewhere, drive over and get it, head down to Mexico and have it installed. Doing that, you'll likely both get your 10 years at pennies per mile, not dollars, and a nice trip out of it. IMO.
FunTwoDrv
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
As noted above, whatever brand header you settle on, if they are not stainless, be certain they are ceramic coated. Mild steel, or even painted, headers will be hard pressed to last 10 years without rusting through.

Gary
wildmanbaker
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
Check both JEGS and SUMMIT for the Doug Thorley header system. You do want the ceramic coated ones. The set I got for our V10 was a complete system to the cat. Everything was included and fit was great. Was also designed to get to the header bolts easily. Did I mention the 2 sites above have free shipping.
crasster
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2016
There is always manifold paint, some claim it to extend the life just a bit. It's expensive paint but may give you a bit more time.
Dick_A
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
I installed a fill Banks system on my prior 1994 Rexhall motorhome and it was worth every dime in many ways. My son is still using that coach and no engine work has been required other than standard maintenance service.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2016
If you elect to use other than Banks headers, make sure to make heat shields for the starter, shift and E brake cables and the stuff running in the left frame rail. Banks does supply those heat shields with their headers. There has been various reports of shift and E brake cable failures from those that failed to protect those cables that are no longer available from Ford.
I can tell you that Banks uses 308 stainless steel for their exhaust kits and the fit is perfect. No banging, bending, drilling or running to the store for pieces parts. Ya gets what ya pays for.

Richard
95 F53 460/528 Bounder
Banks Power Pack
booty51
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
Wasn't an RV but I did the same thing to two different vans One I put headers on the other just replaced the one stock exhaust manifold. My present Mo Ho has banks on it. Headers and exhaust. Did it help performance? I don't know it was on the rig when I bought it. Let your check book be your guide. I understand where your headed , wanting more years for the best buck.And maybe a little preventative maintenance. Heat cycles and exhaust manifold bolts ,not a good combination.the first van I did the headers then took it to a muffler shop for exhaust . The 2nd van I took it to Ford.
DFord
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
I put the Doug Thorley headers on 1984 P30 454 years ago. They worked great and were only 1/2 the cost of the Banks system. I needed a manifold because a plug wire went bad which allowed an unburned fuel mixture to enter the manifold where it ignited and overheated the old cast iron manifold and cracked it. I could have paid GM big bucks for another cast iron manifold and been no better off than I had been or pay a little more and replace both of the cast iron manifolds, and all the exhaust piping. I went with the headers and exhaust pipes. It really helped between 45-60 when I was passing but there was no real difference in mpg.
tommy_g
Explorer
Mar 14, 2016
I'm not looking for payback as much as stretching the age of the old girl another 10 years or so. She is doing ok now but like I said; this is preemptive. My friends keep telling me about how the newer ones have so many more options. The biggest of these is "PAYMENTS!".
donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2016
Dont think you will ever say a dimes payback. You might be better off going to a real honest to goodness exhaust shop and pay them to rebuild your exhaust system.

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