Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

I was wondering if the Keith Eckert aluminum headers would actually do anything for a 1998 7.4 MPI. I need to replace the manifolds and risers anyway so I wouldn't mind spending a little extra if it would give me a horsepower increase of about 20 to 30. This system received praise in Dennis Moore's book. Any suggestions?

The boat is a 22' Scarab 7.4 MPI Bravo, new 25" Mirage Plus. Right now it is getting about 61-MPH on the speedo at 4800 RPM (However it seems faster than 61)

Thanks
Roby

You might pick up a couple hundred RPM and MAYBE 1mph IF ANY! The Keith Eickert headers are a very good design though. You'd have to do other upgrades to the engine in order to see the real bennefit of an aftermarket exhaust system when it comes to the 502MPI. Other than that an aftermarket exhaust like the KE headers will dress up the engines much nicer, are light than the stock Merc junk exhaust and will have a much nicer sound and tone. :)

I second Kaama. Absolutly and excellent design...just a little overkill for your current application.

I do need to replace the stock ones anyway so are there any that would be better than stock and at least have a better sound and or appearance?

Thanks for the reply's
Roby

I was talking to Keith a couple of weeks ago and he had nothing but praise for these headers, however they were too expensive to produce and all the tooling was sold to a company in California. Sorry, I do not remember who it was.

Roby,

If the KE's are no longer available then an aftermarket exhaust system something like a Stainless Marine or GIL look very nice with a one piece smooth elbow type riser/tailpipes. I would avoid any type of system that has risers with lots of 90* bends/turns. The Stainless Marine exhaust system are available with a the riser and tailpipe together as a one piece dry unit----all polished stainless steel, the manifolds have a black glossy finish on them. These will make your engines look and sound VERY NICE! Have FUN! :)

My $0.02
I think all the 300-330hp motors still run very small intake ports on the heads. That seems to be the restriction in increasing hp on these motors. You would probably have to do headwork, or change heads, and change your cam for the headers to have any effect.
Save your money and just replace the originals. BTW, you can probably find nearly new used Merc exhausts cheap.
Gary

Dennis tells you what to look for in a exhaust manifold.

I believe Innovation still had some sets they were selling. If you want the name of the co with the tooling let me know.

Innovation has several sets, they're selling them for $2000 per pair.

Those manifolds are great but they are so efficient that they will lean out your engine and the ECM will need to be reprogrammed or, at the least, the fuel rail pressure will need to be increased to compensate. I hate to be pushy here, but my new manifolds are really a high quality piece at a very reasonable price. I really believe in them! Check them out at www.mooreperformance.org
Sincerely
Dennis Moore

Roby,
The name of the company that now owns the tooling for the KEPP Manifolds is Brummett Marine. The number is 626-792-6410. The person you need to speak with is Carson Brummett.

Good Luck!

Check out Teague's pricing on the lite series from Custom Marine, very reasonable.

I agree with Kaama's first post. The KEPP exhaust will do little now but will respond well with other changes. Also you will be spending a lot more than a "little" over Merc stuff. Also, the peanut port heads on your motor will offer great low end torque and great midrange response. I installed the big valves and pocket ported a set and they worked very well. The peanuts start dropping off over about 4600 but do very well up to that point.

If your boat is running a 25P Mirage at 4800RPM you should be going faster than 61MPH, with a 22'Scarab.

Dennis/ I also thought additional fuel needed to be added with 415 hp MPI and KE's pipe but a neighbor put some on, no changes to the motor and made out ok. Would go out and peg the stick for a few minutes at a time and never had a problem. I believe he also picked up some rpm in the change??

Whiteknuckle,

Not trying to get off topic here, but are you saying that he "peanut port" heads are still only good to 4600rpm even after pocket/bowl porting and installing larger valves? Just wanted to clarifty---thanks. :)

Kaama,
That seemed to be the case with the peanuts. However, it may have been some other issues too. This was what I observed with my engine. Different cam or induction may get a better result at higher RPM. I find it amazing that everyone just wants to write the peanut port head off when actually they are capable of out performing the others up to a certain point. Right now I went with a set of 049 heads I bought from Fred. I still have that set of peanuts in my garage, I might put them back on one day!

Yes, the 049's are very good too! I agree, with a little work the peanut ports are really some very good torquey heads for a 454. Do you remember what cam you were running in the peanut ports?

Bob, that is interesting. I would bet that on a hot day or at a higher elevation the engine probably will run fine due to poor air density. A lot of our testing in Los Angeles is at sea level with good air density. He better watch it if the temp cools off and he gets good air!
Thanks for the input.
Sincerely
Dennis Moore

Okay are we talking about the Vortec heads? Because the 1998 7.4 MPI does not use the small ovals

Roby

Kaama, Yeah we are way off the subject, but to answer your question, I was running a cam from Reed Cams, duration at .050 tappet height is 217degrees intake and 221 degrees exhaust. lift is .510 intake, .522 exhaust, 112degrees lobe centers.
This is a pretty tame setup, but it kicked up a 330HP 454 to around 422 HP on the dyno with shop headers. In the boat I am running the EMI Thunders with cast risers, and I'm really starting to wonder about the effeciency of these risers. Like I said before, I am running different heads now, cam, and intake than what I was wiith this set up. Like a big dummy, I made all the changes at once over the winter, so I can't really say how each individual change effected the engine.

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Were the KE headers more narrow to give a little more clearance between twins? An inch more cleance would do wonders for me when changing plugs!

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

I gained more than an inch between engines going from centerrise merc to KEs.

BT :cool:

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Searching old posts I saw you bought a pair of these last year. Are you happy with them? Loud? I already have a "loud" problem. Think there are still some to be found? Dave

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Yes I am happy with them. They are louder due to the water coming in later. They are nearly dry loud. Yes, I think there are still KEs to be found. I am wondering if the outfit with the molds plan to produce more. Bob?

Dave

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Hey Roby, I'll set you up with a set of Lightning stainless headers. They're a whole lot less than SMI's and CMI's and work great. I put them on mine this year and I can't say enough about them.

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Yes we will be producing the KE Headers once again. We don't have them up on the web site yet (maybe by next week). The price for a NEW set with tailpipes. gaskets, bolts, stainless fittings, etc. will be $3395.00 which is about $300.00 less than they were advertised for not to long ago. If you have any questions you can email [email protected]

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

I have four seasons on mine with absolutely no issues! Great pipe and they make hp.

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Lofty, whats a set of the lightning headers cost? and the best place to purchase them? thx ratman

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

That is real good news to me KEPP! I was concerned about being able to get replacements down the road when I bought these a year ago. I agree with Bob on the perf gains. I gained at least 3-4 mph going to these pipes from the merc center rise with imco risers.

BT :cool:

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

BT, we'll have them if you ever need a replacement so you can rest easy. I was working at Gil when these headers were offered to them to distribute (before Keith took on the product). Gil dyno tested them on a 750 HP Hawk motor and as I remember they flowed better and made more power than anything else on the market at the time. Gil wanted to take on the line for distribution but the Dentist that designed them wanted way to much money for the rights so they were never able to make a deal.

As far as the cost of Lightning's Headers, we're also a distributor for them now. Standard BB Chevy 36" wide for a single engine bravo goes for $1699.99 which is really reasonable for the performance gains. The system includes all gaskets, bolts, fittings and a shift bracket if you need it. You can see all of tthe systems Lightning offers and the prices on our site at http://www.keitheickert.com/products.../lightning.htm

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

I just bought three innovation motors with Eickert exhaust and I am planning on taking them off to replace with CMI b/c that's what my tail pipes are set up for. I will sell them for $1000 per set. They are new.
Mat
910.330.1911

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

I'll buy all three sets Mat. Will be leaving for Florida in the morning and would like to swing by to pick them up next weekend if possible. I left you a voice mail.

Dave

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Dave....thats what I call reaction :D :D I may have some collector ends if you need them.

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Mat is going to check on if the tails are coming w/ the 600s. I will keep you in mind Bob if I end up needing some. Chances are I will. I'll tell ya, I just can't pass up a good deal, and dam, Mat had a good deal there!!

Dave

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Dave, I must of left $$$ on the table. LOL. I will talk to you monday. Have a good trip.
Mat

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Anybody have Innovation Marine's phone#? Doug

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Innovation Marine - 941-355-7852

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Stay away from the lightning headers. I guarantee you will have water reversion issues. I would use a CMI Exhaust personally. However, there would be no need for them on a 7.4L. However, If you ever plan on upgrading this exhaust would work great.

Re: Keith Eckert aluminum headers
 

Thanx, CP Doug