Headers??

Looking at doing headers on my 2011 4WD. Do not want to do shorty headers. What are the chances that and similar year f-150 5.4 long tubes will fit since they use the same down pipes/cats as our expeditions?

You will need to contact the header manufacturers to ask them (best choice). They should have schematics of the vehicles that they can fit since most are bent by computer program nowadays. Others have had to do this in the past.

So the width difference between my 2014 Expedition and my buddy’s 2012(ish) F150 from inside of the window to the other window inside is 3”. Interiors look the same but I noticed his felt wider- so we measured.

Point is: where else is it different? Maybe the headers fit between the frame and engine on a f150 but perhaps the Expedition frame is narrower to the point it won’t.

ExplorerTom said:

So the width difference between my 2014 Expedition and my buddy’s 2012(ish) F150 from inside of the window to the other window inside is 3”. Interiors look the same but I noticed his felt wider- so we measured.

Point is: where else is it different? Maybe the headers fit between the frame and engine on a f150 but perhaps the Expedition frame is narrower to the point it won’t.

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My Expedition EL scaled in something like 800 pounds heavier over my buddies 2011 F-150. I’m assuming the width reduction was done to try and save some weight and for aerodynamics. These are heavy animals compared to an F-150.

The 3rd gen Expedition and the F-150 are on totally different platforms.

Personally I wouldn't waste time and money with headers.

A very competent guy installed long tube headers while converting his 2nd gen to a manual 6 speed and it was a bit of a nightmare.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/posts/93729/

Anything's possible with enough time, money, and skill. IMO, the Gibson shorties are your best bet.

The only thing you will gain, putting headers on a 2011 5.4l 3v is a lighter wallet. It's a 5000lb suv, not a sports car. The only gain, might be at the top end, which almost no one reaches with normal driving.

Exactly

rjdelp7 said:

The only thing you will gain, putting headers on a 2011 5.4l 3v is a lighter wallet. It's a 5000lb suv, not a sports car. The only gain, might be at the top end, which almost no one reaches with normal driving.

Click to expand...

I was looking at headers awhile back. The F150 5.4 3V (2011, same as my expedition) headers have a different angle, the firewalls between the two are differently shaped, and different distances from the back of the engine. The frame isn't the issue, it's the firewall. The truck headers can be made to work, but you'll need to cut the collector off and weld it on at a different angle and fill in the hole(s). This is the truck shorties. I'd imagine long tubes would be a lot more work. My thoughts are if you're good with a welder and want them...

I'd start first with trying to find the widths of the frames between the truck and the Expy....the engines are the constant in this regard. If the Expy frame is narrower or the steering components are further inboard than on the truck, that right there will mean some fabbing.

As for you guys saying it's a waste or costs too much, bugger off. He asked a technical question seeking facts, not opinions of why you wouldn't do it.
I can remember when forums were more about people helping one another, with both fact and support, rather than just throwing an "it's not worth it" out there as the end all, be all definitive answer.

Then the PC police came along and slap your wrist if you try to correct erroneous info.

I remember reading something about someone trying the truck headers on an Expy, as mentioned, the firewall distance was a big factor, and even using a truck y pipe won't solve this.
Long tubes may/may not negate this, but honestly, if you're going to put LTs in, you may as well do a custom catless exhaust to make the most of it.

Remember, a freer breathing engine isn't just one art though, it's also in conjunction with other mods, intake, etc. Don't forget a tune afterward either.