2009 Ford F150 XLT (4WD)
5.4L / 3 V Triton V-8
174K Miles

So, my beast has gone as far as it's going to go without some critical care maintenance.
I'm doing the manifold replacement myself. With that said I'm poking around the forum here for additional information.

Not sure what other quality brands are out there that should be considering; however, the ones I'm trying to decide between is the Ford/Dorman brands.
Other than price differences between the Ford/Dorman manifolds are their other major differences (durability, fitment, performance)?

I've read postings about how the manifolds tend to crack/warp after being replaced.
What I never really found from subsequent searches was if anyone had reasons as to why that is, (They over torquing the nuts, not following the correct torque pattern, not using the right gasket)? Should I do follow-up re-torques after a few hundred miles?

Also, I was told once that if I replace the manifolds that I should replace the motor mounts too...Does anyone actually do that seems like over kill?

I know some have made the switch to actual headers for replacement parts. That being said I'm not interested in that. Don't have $600-$800+ for a decent set of headers to dump into the exhaust system at this time.

Would appreciate any information from those that have done the work themselves.


Thanks ahead time!