Fairlane header options

[C8OX-FE]

I'm looking at headers for my '68 Fairlane equipped with a 428, Edelbrock heads, Toploader, Lakewood scattershield, and Borgeson P/S. My choices right now are the FPA Tri-Y, followed by Doug's D625S. Any pros or cons on these?

TIA

[Joe-JDC]

Depending on horsepower level, there will not be much difference.  I recently dyno tested a 428CJ with Hooker Super Comp headers and JBA tri-Y headers back to back.  They made exactly the same power and torque.  Both were for Mustang/Fairlane/Cougar body styles.   Once you get to 500 or more horsepower I am sure there would be some differences. I am a huge fan of FPA headers.  I have two sets for my Y block Thunderbird, and I Dyno tested 5 different brands of headers as well as Jon Kaase's EMC Y block headers, and the FPA made the best horsepower and torque of all them(613.3hp).     Joe-JDC

[calcoral]

you might have a clearance problem with the borgeson steering box and lines.maybe someone on hear can tell you...just a thought

[jayb]

I also like FPAs, better ground clearance than other headers and about the same power as other brands.

[machyoung]

I have FPA's on my 68 w/ FE and Borgeson. I did run the lines up  and over the shock tower however no issues w/ the steering box. Like them a lot.

[JamesonRacing]

FPAs fit fine on my 66 Fairlane GTA convertible with a Borgeson steering box.  Custom lines that run along the block to the GM-style pump.

[GA445]

Can not go wrong with FPA headers.

[482supersnake]

Is Stan at FPA still selling headers? Last I heard he was ready to retire.

[Dyno]

 I wouldn't recommend the Doug's . I have them on my Ranchero and it took lots of mods to have them fit still can't do a hard left turn, pitman arm hits tube. Also they don't line up with the "humps " at trans crossmember so you hear some knocks.
 Not sure how other manufacturers fit.
 Only bonus I had with them was price as Amazon delivered them for like $350. Was a nice price difference over regular price. Had them around for about 6 months before installing.

[thatdarncat]

Is Stan at FPA still selling headers? Last I heard he was ready to retire.

I’ve seen multiple people during this past year share pictures of the headers they’ve received from FPA (not just FE), so it would seem they are still in business to me. No idea what their future looks like.

A separate company called “Stans” headers closed a couple years ago, and patterns & shop equipment auctioned off. I think we had posts about it in the past.

Both companies lead by someone named Stan, and I remember there was lots of confusion at the time. Just commenting so people know there is two separate header companies sometimes being discussed.

[hotrodford]

A friend, of mine, purchased headers for his Fairlane from FPA back in June, of this year.  At that time, he was told that FPA would be closing their doors at the end of August.  I don't know if that happened or not.

[jayb]

I think FPA is still in business making headers.  The link below to their site says they will not be a Ford Performance Parts Warehouse Distributor after August 25 of this year.  But it appears that their header manufacturing business is intact.

http://www.fordpowertrain.com/FPAindex/FPA%20index1.htm

[482supersnake]

Is Stan at FPA still selling headers? Last I heard he was ready to retire.

I’ve seen multiple people during this past year share pictures of the headers they’ve received from FPA (not just FE), so it would seem they are still in business to me. No idea what their future looks like.

A separate company called “Stans” headers closed a couple years ago, and patterns & shop equipment auctioned off. I think we had posts about it in the past.

Both companies lead by someone named Stan, and I remember there was lots of confusion at the time. Just commenting so people know there is two separate header companies sometimes being discussed.

Yep. It was confusing. Stan from from FPA had Stan from Stan's headers make headers for FPA. Stan's headers closed up shop and Stan from FPA was having some of the fabricators from Stan's headers fabricate headers for FPA.

Stan from FPA was semi retired/ working from his house when I was a kid 30 plus years ago when I bought my first pair of FPA tri-y's.

[manofmerc]

On my 66 cyclone c-6 edelbrock heads I went with Hedmans a little banging trimmed my stabilizer bar mount they fit ok .My engine is a 63 two bolt 427 with different mounts so any header wouldnt be perfect but they fit alright .These are a two piece design the front two cylinders go on first then you slide the back two on .Doug

[C8OX-FE]

I've been in touch with FPA, looks like we are going with their headers. Thanks for all the responses, I really appreciate it!