Maximizer Headers - 8 Cylinder Gasoline - Ranger Engine Tech

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Idahome

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$440!!!! I love ebay

Torque Monster Clones, nice price and they come with new EGR tube....
I like these very much!!
I will try a set very soon..........

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-Header-For-1997-98-99-00-2001-Ford-Explorer-Mercury-Mountaineer-5-0L/183355909760?epid=23022049488&hash=item2ab0dd2680:rk:1:pf:0

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Posted: Wed Nov 21st, 2018 10:25 pm

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JAMMAN

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The OBX version is all over e-bay now for about 460 with shipping. Lots of bad reviews though, leaky welds mostly.

You try a set and let me know how it goes plz. :)

I have a feeling when I fire up the first project and drive it 10 feet I will be permanently hooked. The FMS headers are more rare now you simply cannot find them. I bet the TM's and clones would out perform the FMS because of more equal tube length but since you are dumping to the same place on a project like a V8 RBV it wouldn't make much difference.

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Posted: Thu Nov 22nd, 2018 10:21 am

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Idahome

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My TMH had leaks all over too........but the first two sets of mine were the "test" sets for doing the conversion into TTB trucks. My BII was the guinea pig.
From the pics they look to be about the same quality or better then the original TMH

Headers + leaks = normal
Still way better then the stock junk manifolds, you want to talk about leaks!
Robert of TMH gained 24 RWHP when he took a stock 2001 into CA for emissions certification.

24 RWHP just for bolting them on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$450 / 24 = 18.75 per 1 hp, actually not that bad considering what some power adders cost
TMH are good up to about 420 hp.....so once you have them you are good to go even turbo or supercharger (Paxton or Kenne Bell SN-95 kit)

I have found some ways to stop the leaks
Percy's super seal gaskets at the flanges, the 302 gaskets you can get at Oreilly by Mr Gasket are also made the same way
I use Chevy exhaust donuts at the downpipes (soft thin hoops of metal get sandwiched between header and downpipe)

Leaky welds can be welded up :)
My BII leaks a little bit when cold....been fighting that battle since 2005. BUT I have not put in the chevy rings yet and I cut a hole in my pass floor board so I have direct access to the top bolt...so next time they are off I can fix it.

I have re sealed the headers on my BII about 3 times.
I had to re seal the headers on my Explorer about 3 times
I learned do not use the gaskets Robert shipped with the headers, I learned that real quick

So you guys get to benefit from my learning experiences!!
Darth ranger does not leak, my stepsons Explorer does not leak ( he found his TMH at the junk yard!!) they got the right gaskets, hardware and chevy donuts

Last edited on Thu Nov 22nd, 2018 10:50 am by 410customs

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Posted: Thu Nov 22nd, 2018 10:51 pm

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Bird76Mojo
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410customs wrote:
Headers + leaks = normal

+1 on the Percy's gaskets.

The Hedman headers on my 302 have never leaked yet. Percy's aluminum gaskets are wonderful. Along with proper locking bolts, it makes for a very nice leak free connection. My header bolts also never come loose like many complain about and they're just el-cheapo locking header bolts. ProComp or some such brand. I attribute that to the Percy's aluminum gaskets maintaining a nice even load against the bolts regardless of heat levels. They're a multi-layer (peel-able if necessary) aluminum gasket. Using correct exhaust connections also makes a huge difference, keeping stresses off of the headers themselves. The exhaust system having the right amount of flex, but not overly flexible and loose systems, also helps. I used rubber hangers on my custom mandrel bent stainless exhaust system. It's been flawless and leak free to this day.

GB :)

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 10:43 am

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Idahome

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Nice!!

My BII uses solid engine mounts and mostly solid trans mount, yet the exhaust is using stock hanger locations..that is an interesting point you bring up, my drivetrain is rigid mounted, so is my body, but the exhaust is hanging free! LOL

I only leak in one place, where my downpipe connects to the header on the pass side, I believe my downpipe is actually deformed, that's where the Chevy donut comes in next time I have the pipes off I will put one of those in there it will seal......(been there done that)

I ran the cheap gaskets Robert shipped with the original TMH, tried stock gaskets, I tried fel pro, I tried copper ($$$$) finally was turned onto the Percy's and never looked back!! I was happy to see the Mr gasket you can get at any parts store for the 302 are made the same way....
The locking header bolts are nice, however they will not fit the TMH in 2 or 3 of the locations because the tubes are too close to the bolt hole. Installing TMH headers on a conversion like my BII is one of those things where you have to put all the bolts in place with just 2-3 threads and then slowly tighten them all down together, otherwise you will never get all the bolts in... I have done this so many times on 4 different trucks now I am very familiar with these headers!!!

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:27 pm

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Bird76Mojo
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I had to use a locking header bolt with a smaller hex head. They were cheapo's but they've been great so far. I might have bought them at Advance Auto. Not sure. On my headers the clearances were also very tight for some of the bolts, but these works well. The bolts have teeth on the underside of the head and the washer that's on them (non-removable) also has matching teeth on one side to engage the teeth on the bolt head.

Found em, ProForm is the brand:

Last edited on Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:30 pm by Bird76Mojo

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:43 pm

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Idahome

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Thank you! Those are similar to the hardware we are using, except locking

I like them very much and will try that when I go to fix my leak (maybe doing 331 SBF w M5OD 5 speed in my BII just because I can)
My first two pair of headers were the mock up headers torque monster used to build conversion headers (for putting gt40 V8 into TTB trucks) so they are not as good as his later designs

Now days you can get conversion headers from a few different companies cheaper then TMH

Last edited on Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:44 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:44 pm

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Idahome

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Thank you! Those are similar to the hardware we are using, except locking

I like them very much and will try that when I go to fix my leak (maybe doing 331 SBF w M5OD 5 speed in my BII just because I can)
My first two pair of headers were the mock up headers torque monster used to build conversion headers (for putting gt40 V8 into TTB trucks) so they are not as good as his later designs

Nowdays you can get conversion headers from a few different companies cheaper then TMH

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 01:45 pm

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Bird76Mojo
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Be aware, the black oxide coating will rust away in short order.

GB :)

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Posted: Fri Nov 23rd, 2018 03:51 pm

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JAMMAN

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I know it isn't popular but being a machinist all my life I opted for socket heads for mine. I got ones with a coating that was supposed to be super corrosion resistant and the last time I lifted the hood out there in the field they did not have any rust. 2 years and several rangers later I still did not complete the original build. Header bolts look nice though :)

Zinc-Aluminum-Coated Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw
3/8"-16 Thread Size, 7/8" Long
McMaster Carr # 91274A304

Attachment: headers1.JPG (Downloaded 35 times)

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Posted: Wed Jan 23rd, 2019 06:45 pm

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Scrambler82
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Anyone actually try out these new headers ?

Also, why is it that we need these headers, both expensive and outrageous in design !

Is it impossible to use a standard shorty header ?

I have never done a post '00 engine swap, almost though, and I was just wondering.

Thanks

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Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2019 09:43 am

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Idahome

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There are 3 headers currently for sale LOL that will fit a 4wd gen II Ranger or Explorer (95-01 Explorer, 98-11 Ranger)
Torque Monster
OBX (torque monster knock offs)
Maximizer (torque monster knock offs)

No other header will bolt in place, fitting the engine bay and the factory exhaust down pipes

No there are no other shorty headers or long tube for that matter that will fit.
You can MAKE some shorty headers and some factory 302 manifolds fit, but you have to make them fit. IE notch a frame rail, custom make down pipes, clear the oil pan front driveline and t case....etc

So yes Torque Monsters and the copies are the only bolt in chioce
TM headers gained more then 24HP bolted onto a STOCK 5.0L Explorer
So even through they are expensive (coming down) they are the best option.

Also the TM headers have been tested to about 420 HP so they flow pretty well even though they are not equal length tubes and they hug the block so much, they still allow you to make good power.

I am a big fan of the TM header and design, I am a little biast since my BII was the test mule for the first sets of the conversion headers

Last edited on Thu Jan 24th, 2019 02:00 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2019 01:32 pm

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JAMMAN

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4. See the pic in my post.

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Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2019 01:37 pm

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Idahome

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Are those the FMS manifolds?

Last I checked they are very hard to find these days except sometimes on Ebay

Ford Motorsports made some headers for the Explorer 5.0L for some years, obsolete part now

You can still buy TMH ( Ihave heard) and Maximizers or OBX on Ebay (names change)
The TMH have jet hot coating which is really nice I am sure these are not as well made, but still work very well to replace the crappy factory manifolds.

There is an old 289 block hugger type manifold that can be made to work as well but I am sure it would require downpipes or down pipe mods

Last edited on Thu Jan 24th, 2019 01:59 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Thu Jan 24th, 2019 01:39 pm

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JAMMAN

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Yup my headers I could probably auction for more than the entire truck in the condition it is in.

One of the members here has a set running, cgrey8 I believe.I would have bought TM's but couldn't find a set 4 years ago.

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