If N/A 1 3/4 or 1 7/8 will be fine. Personally 1 7/8 is great for blown applications and 1 3/4 for 302 cubic in n/a

Well that's exactly the answer I was looking for. So because I plan to go turbo in a year or so but will be n/a for now the 1 7/8 won't be over kill or cost me any power loss? as the 1 3/4 would be great for N/A regardless.

Both headers on a N/A setup will make similar peak HP. Difference is; the smaller header diameter will make torque, and more of it, sooner and more than likely more peak torque.

Headers are efficient until they become a restriction. In the case of a N/A, 302ci motor a 1-7/8 header is overkill and can therefore benefit with the increase in torque you find in a smaller design. A 370ci motor (LS3 etc) or a boosted 302.... 1-7/8 all day.


This^

as the smaller diameter will make more tq, how much more are we talking about? I'm just shooting for 420-425ish hp and as close to possible tq to that horsepower. In a perfect world i'd like 420-425hp and 395-405tq

Thanks guys for all the answers and time. sorry if i'm confusing/bugging the hell out of u or just thinking way too much about the topic, just wanted opinions from people with more experiences on the topic and who've seen the setups.

1. Pypes are the only stepped header for these cars. 1 3/4" to 1 7/8".
2. They have the correct primary to collector firing order placement.
3. They fit very well and tuck nicely.

I think they have had a bad rap in the past but on the 2011+ 5.0 they are at the top for design, fit and quality. You don't have to donate a kidney to buy a set either.

Sounds like we will all find out soon. :D

DFW50's always delivers. :happy107:

So, knowing full well that you intend to go turbo, you would still buy and install parts that will instantly become useless when you fulfill your plans? The factory exhaust is plenty efficient on these cars, and wouldn't be a hindrance to making power until you get well up into the big numbers. Actually, the same could be said for the intake system as well. I know several mid 11 second cars that still use the stock airbox and headers.

That's man, something I just may have to consider looking into :)

Yes and no? I dont know how to really explain my dumb thoughts or why i even plan to waste the money. I want/plan to go turbo. key word being want. doesn't really mean i will you know? anything can happen. as for now I'm willing to spend the money to buy the parts that will make the car faster/more fun to drive while i'm still far away from ever going turboed. That's why I was asking. I have always lived by the old saying "torque wins races and horsepower sells cars." so at the moment keeping my tq as close to my hp is my main objective. as for install, i work at a ford dealership in the shop and have well over 15k in tools installing/removing isn't an issue. and I can always pull off parts and sell them used and try to get back as much as i can

I understand the logic, but more money has been wasted buying uneeded parts than probably anything else. It's nice to have a plan and stick to it, although I never have either!

haha i hear you on that man! obviously headers in general will provide better gains it all just boils down to do you want to spend the money for this "x" amount of gains. There's so much money wasted in unneeded parts when people sell cars/trade them in too lol

Headers are probably the worst offenders though, especially for these cars. The 10-12 hp gain isn't worth the cost at all in my opinion, unless you going with a max effort N/A build and need those last few ponies.

falling back onto that goal again. 420-425ish hp and as much tq to that as possible. just want a fun street car that I can lay into and have a blast with the few trips out to the track. wheels/tire/driveshaft first though.

I don't think Oxford seems to understand you don't use your standard headers for a turbo application rather than using turbo headers that are meant for the kit.