Headers vs oem manifolds
So we are new to this forum and to the motorhome world also. I'm having to replace the heads on our ford 460 and seriously considering a banks exhaust instead of the oem manifold which I suspect trash...
Forum Discussion
popeye766 wrote:http://dougthorleyheaders.com/products/searchType/vehicleSearch/year/1996/make/FORD/model/%20MOTORHOME%20&%20P_SLASH_UP%20460%20F.I./sfID1/9/sfID2/40/sfID3/32 Good for '96 Motorhome, so I would assume F53.
I have just gone this route..new manifolds and a complete dual exhaust....I did an exhaustive search for headers for F53/460 including calling factories.....the only ones available were banks.....So, if any one finds ANY OTHERS IN STOCK AVAILABLE ANYWHERE PLEASE POST IT HERE....I can afford banks ,just rebel at the cost.....
Its pretty well established that Fords did not breath well, up until the latest version V10. It will be critical to use a free flowing muffler, in other words stay away from Flowmaster. I did a bunch of experimenting with mufflers on the 454. The only Flowmasters that ran well were the 40 series, but those are unbelievably loud - and I like loud! The drone will kill you. The Magnaflows I am running now are quiet, unless you really get on it. They breath very well, because they are straight through. Get the 24 inch, as the longer length will reduce the noise. Tri-Y headers give the best over all performance - meaning they have a very broad RPM band. After the mufflers, you can choose to go with a single 3 inch, or keep it dual 2.5. Single 3 inch will do slightly better off the bottom, dual 2.5 will be slightly better in the high RPM.
It should be pointed out that long tube headers (such as Banks) have a narrow powerband, so they are not as suited for RV use as Tri-Y. They also use thinner gauge steel than Thorley for the tubes, which means they are louder in the engine compartment.
