I did a search. I am sure this has been beat on but I found nothing. The search function is, how shall I say? Less than stellar.

I have an 04 Edge, 3.0, auto, 4.10 gears. The exhaust has been freed up and I added a 3" cat back. That helped a good little bit.

I am looking at headers. Will they really add anything? I have done the air box mod and I MAY do the Escape throttle body, but I was wondering, since they are a bolt on, if headers would really help any.

If so, is there a particular brand that's better? I am not looking to spend 500 bucks on headers, but if they really help, I might consider it. Thoughts?

 

First an internal combustion engine is little more than a big air pump.
Increasing the input and output devices and you WILL see an increase in performance.
There are a lot of things in between the intake and exhaust that could be tweaked but IMHO header are the best gain for the bucks and ease of install.

That said, add the header, then the intake increase (air tube, throttle body, etc), then think either higher lift rocker arms ( a little more advanced but still a bolt on ) or a new cam.

As to which brand, sorry I need to look at that myself, that is if I am stuck with the 3.0L.
Just make sure if you need emissions acceptance you get headers that do that too.

 

No emissions inspections here. It would already fail. Very familiar with what an engine is. But I know there are some out there that do not respond as well as others. From what I have read, the 3.0 is one, however, I have not seen anything definitive about headers on one. As I said, I know the theories, but I was hoping someone with headers on a 3.0 might be so kind to tell me if they made a noticeable difference. Do you have headers on yours?

Thanks very much for your reply.

 

Ok then... I am really unfamiliar with mods to a 3.0.

Hard to believe any engine would not respond to headers and better intake system.

Good luck on your decision and the project.

 

Yes. I agree with you. In order for an engine to respond though, and respond well, they need more fuel when headers are installed. Installing headers leans an engine out. With carburetors, we simply jet them up. My understanding of the injection system on these is that regardless what engine conditions, they make the engine see 14.7 all the time. That being the case, traditional upgrades will struggle to make a difference. At least that's my understanding. That's why when people ask about bigger injectors, they are shot down. I could be way off base here. Feel free to correct me if I am. I don't want to spend money foolishly, but a the same time, I don't want to miss out on an upgrade that will actually work.

 

I see where you are going and to me, you are correct and a good approach.

What about looking into a Custom Tuned Chip, then tune the chip to what you have done or only change what the chip will allow ?