I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 van with a 5.2L engine. I am completely redoing the entire van. So far I have rebuilt the 5.2 engine, replaced the transmission, radiator, fuel pump, A/C compressor and ECU. That being said, I am 100% committed to this project. So.....now I need suggestions for a good header and exhaust combination. It's a stock motor and not a daily driver so I can go with a more aggressive sound.


Thanks

 

Standard headers (ones that dump under the van) will add a lot of extra heat to the engine compartment. Unlike 70s vans your 2000 has lots of electronics that I don't believe will like that extra heat. Heat wrap would help but I don't think much also stock magnum manifolds flow very well.

Free flowing mufflers and larger pipes will give you the aggressive sound without the heat issues also I would think headers would be brutally loud on a long highway run in a van.

You should also be sure the van will pass your states emissions test with headers.

 

There were mopar performance mid length headers made at one time but I have been looking for a set for 5 years now.
The restriction in the factory exhaust is in the smaller diameter manifold outlet and the sorry junction at the Y in the pipe.
92 to 93 manifolds have a larger outlet, and magnaflow makes a nice mandrel bent y pipe. While I was at it I also bought the magniflow hi flow cat and a stainless muffler to finish it out. Nice rumble at the back of the van, but nice and quiet with no drone inside.