F355 - What type of headers should i go for?

What gives you such distrust? Well don't read WebMd, you will never leave the house without being in a vacuum bubble!

 

Deal with them when they fail. Don't fix what's not broken.

 

Mine Failed at about 60K miles

 

Fabspeed headers have been the more popular replacements.. let me know if you would like Fchat member pricing and to check stock..

 

Why is it that no one brings up Quicksilver rebuild headers? They retain the factory heat shields, which to me, is a big deal. https://products.vividracing.com/quicksilver_sport_stainless_steel_exhaust_manifolds_ferrari_f355_95_99_1015561251.php

 

As far as value for your dollar, it is hard (impossible?) to beat Nouvalari. Around half the price of Tubi etc, and a LIFETIME warranty. I have a set, had them ceramic coated at Zircotec in the UK prior to shipping here. I am very happy with them.

Nouvalari Engineering Ltd

 

Fabspeed has mandrel bent piping whereas Nouvalari does not. That's a big deal for these things IMO. I would go with fabspeed.

 

But Nouvalari is 4 -2-1, Fabspeed is 4-1. Another difference to consider.

 

Very good point, I didn't think of that. But really, how much torque might be lost in not using a 4-2-1 setup with a 3.5l engine? Maybe 5lbs? How much are the nouvalari units anyway?

 

Tubi Style, because they are made in Maranello, Italy.

(seriously: I'm very interested in this thread as maybe next year i will have to buy one too...)

ciao

 

When I bought mine I was more worried about the sound than a few ft lbs of torque. (You're right of course, the torque difference can't be that much). Honestly, in 2014 the 355's horsepower/performance is hardly earth shattering, so 5 horsepower/torque one way or the other is pretty insignificant to me. It's much more about the experience, and to me, sound plays a big part of that. Supposedly a 4-2-1 has more of the high pitched, high rpm scream compared to a 4-1, and that was the sound I was after. That, plus the price and customer service of Nouvalari won me over. I can't remember exactly what I paid, but it was significantly less expensive than tubi or OEM, and somewhat less than fabspeed I believe. Also, I did buy mine about a year and a half ago so I'm not sure if prices may have changed.

http://youtu.be/rpp6C9UTfFg

http://youtu.be/HKhh9L0yey4

 

Maybe a naive question, but how then does Nouvalari bend the pipes?

 

With just a vanilla bend die and tube bending machine which means the pipe inner diameter takes a bit at the radius this limiting flow. A mandrel maintains the shape with mandrels which are loaded inside the pipe where the radius is to be so the pipe doesn't lose any shape or diameter. This makes for better flow etc.

 

When I looked at Nouvalari's website it didn't seem to mention mandrel bent or otherwise. Did you speak or email with them? Just wondering how the manufacturing approach was obtained.

 

I bought a 308 exhaust a while back and immediate noticed they were not mandrel bent. I've never seen 355 headers so I cannot comment with certainty on those, I have only heard they were not mandrel bent.

 

355 headers at bottom of page. Click figure to enlarge. It can be seen that they are not mandrel bent. Particularly evident on cylinder 1 tube coming off flange. Nouvalari Engineering Ltd

 

Thanks.

I'm interested in understanding this more, which is why I keep asking questions. What indicates they aren't mandrel bent - the weld seam, or the sort of "depression" in the pipe where it bends, or something else? I tried looking for ripples but I'm on my fon now and can't get a big enough image to examine closer.

So the net-net of debate here (or maybe "analysis" better characterizes it) if I summarize correctly is the mandrel bent with 4-1 collectors versus jig bent with 4-2-1 collectors and a favorable price. But there is also an added nuance that the sound between both may be different than stock with the Nouvolari being closer to stock.

General consensus seems to be don't replace with new OEM due to price and lack of improvement. And that Tubi changed their materials or design and no longer offers a lifetime warranty so there is no point to the premium cost.

That leaves one other option - a couple of places offering rebuilt OEMs with uprated piping material. I presume these aren't mandrel bent either.

 

If you get these, get them powder coated. Mine came to me chromed. They are rusting and Fabspeed has no interest in fixing the problem.

^^^^^ Good point ^^^^^

 

I always highly suggest to having them Ceramic coated in most case include it for my Fchat clients.

Here are some F430's I had done in Polish for another client. We also can do black if requested.
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Sorry boys; I never thought about this as a sound issue, but traditionally 4-2-1 gives more torque, and 4-1 gives more hp. (Assuming they are balanced properly.)

 

That is correct you fill find that that 4-2-1..more net you more torque. 4-1 more top end.