4.0L Headers

[wallysheata]

Well i'm now trying to tweak as much power as i can out of the engine with out rebuilding it. I"ve still got the stock header, not sure if it's cracked or not but the exhaust seems to be kinda loud lately. Anyways, seems that most people prefer banks headers. Was wondering what everyonen's experiences were with it. I've got a Throttle body spacer on right now, going to do an air tube set up when i do the header and hope to gain a few more HP with that combo.


Wally

[rgh]

I've posted about this same subject for the last couple of weeks. Not many replies though. I'm getting a Gibson stainless steel header and cat-back system put on tomorrow, so I'll be sure to let you know what it's like. If you're looking at the banks system, you can get it at 4x4groupbuy.com the cheapest.

[Joe Dillard]

I put 3 bad cracks in my stock header a while back. I welded it up at first as a band-aid fix. I eventually went with a Borla header, and also installed a 2.25" custom bent stainless steel catback & muffler.

IMHO, as long as the stock header & exhaust are in good working order, I'd run them till they give up the ghost. Seems the aftermarket exhaust systems (some), offer better sound & only marginal performance gains.

As a side note: I also have been running the drop-in K&N air filter for several years. However, AEM used my Jeep late last year as their test & research vehical in an effort to design & sell a new open element & tube style intake system. According to Damon, one of their engineers, on the dyno they were able to squeeze ~7HP & ~6ft-lbs torque. I expect that AEM in the not so distant future, will give me the new system & I'll see how well it does to provide performance & fuel economy gains.

As another source, this place often has various systems on sale.

http://www.truckperformance.com/

[91xtrm4x4]

Mike at www.ace4wd.com has Banks systems and more

[91 Green YJ]

I'm running the banks header. i gotta say, its an impressive piece of work. When i compared it to the stock one, the differences were VERY noticable. nice thick plate, very nice welds, just a well designed piece all together. Been running it for abouyt two months now. I did a bunch of other things at the same time (rebuilt engine, MSD 6, fire power ignition kit, etc.) so i cant really tell ya what kind of performance gains it gave me

[Whisker_Biscuit]

well i changed to a banks with no other changes and would call the power gain 'subtle' at best... honesly it doesnt feel much different to me, does sound a bit cooler, maybe a bit more juice in towing or uphills, but if yer droppin 400 bucks whatever for more power, your only gain will prolly be in blood pressure cuz yer pissed there wasnt any... honestly the 4.0 is a torque motor and if you gain anything, it'll likely be in the torque column... sorry

it is however a much better unit than the stock piece of crap, looks good, doesn't leak anywhere and has yet to crack at 'the spot' :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[my95yj]

running "thorley header" on mine, solid piece of equipment.....it is about time to replace the rest of the stock exhaust though......

[Limpin]

clifford ceramic coated is the only way to go :beerchug:

[subzero]

the banks header is without question the nicest header on the market quality wise.I installed mine with their cat back system and an air intake and I noticed a Nice increase with the package.probably not alot with just the header,but coupled with the other mods it made a BIG difference going up hills etc.I no longer need to drop gears now to climb the same hills that used to require a downshift to keep decent speed.If you are going to get a replacement unit,definately get the BANKS

[my95yj]

without question huh? you sound like you work for banks! to each his own..

[wallysheata]

Thanks for the reply's. I have a completely new exhuast that constist of 2 1/2 Mandrel bent pipe, Dynomax muffler and a new cat. I am going to do an air tube at the same time as the header so it sounds like that combo with the new exhaust should make some diff. I've added close to 1,000lbs in dead weight with the 60's, 37's and NV4500 so any little bit of power will for sure help. Sounds like Bank Headers are the crowd fav. I'm going to look into it this weekend.



Wally

[subzero]

um, that would be BANKSTJ who would be the employee who posts here sometimes.There is a reason the Banks stuff is the favorite..Surely not because its cheap.It is because IT IS the nicest header on the market.Not saying that the thorley header is not a decent piece, but side by side compared to the banks?...no comparison quality wise. The Banks is milled dead flat,welded inside and out, got a 1/2 in thick flange instead of the smaller 3/8 in and is all stainless.I also believe a member here "bowhunter" I believe has posted many times how many problems Thorley themselves has admitted to with regard to their headers cracking.In fact it was fairly recent there was a post by another member who contacted thorley and was advised by one of their reps that they are not recommending buying there header now because of ongoing problems.Glad your has worked out for you and i am sure that thorley will work the bugs out (atleast they have been honest!) but I would steer clear of them for now

[Limpin]

i dont think many people know about the clifford stuff for jeeps..

http://www.cliffordperformance.com/ :beerchug:

[my95yj]

two years ago, my first thorley header cracked, i was pissed, took forever to install, but that being said, there customer service guy is what steered me into waiting around for second generation 4.0L header and I have been more than happy with their second offering........customer service always wins when it comes down to who I deal with.....my .02 cents....