Fabspeed F355 Header Fall Special

Will the car pass California smog with these installed ?

 

Yes and no. I have Fabspeeds on my car and the car passes the emissions test with no issue. The potential problem are some new laws that require new CARB certification after June of this year (don't hold me to the exact date). The first place I went to asked to see the CARB certificates for the headers and cats since he could tell they were aftermarket. When I didn't have them he said he shouldn't pass me but looked the other way.

I'm not sure if Fabspeed has taken up the time and cost for the new certs or not.

 

You calie guys get the short end of the stick out there. We have it bad but we have ways around it. LOL

 

Agreed it's a bit of a pain at times but I was riding around today 75 degrees with the top down ;-)

 

The Fabspeed headers look really sweet with out heat shields .......but its a shame that Fabspeed could not fabricate some full metal heatshields for the headers (certainly they need it for the heat -and yes I know they now supply a small a/c and alt shields but these are a band-aid solution and don't address the full heat problem in the engine bay ).....as there would be no issues for the emission inspection (for the headers anyways).

I know that when I have to change my headers, I will go the aftermarket route but as I have welding experience I will fabricate full metal shields. The capristo header blankets look very trick as well but at 2 grand for the pair.....are a pricey alternative and again you may have an problem at the emission inspection.

 

".......but its a shame that Fabspeed could not fabricate some full metal heatshields for the headers (certainly they need it for the heat -and yes I know they now supply a small a/c and alt shields but these are a band-aid solution and don't address the full heat problem in the engine bay )....."

Chris,

I replaced the headers on my '96 GTS with Fabspeeds earlier this year (Jan-Feb time frame) due to header failure. I had the Fabspeeds coated with SwainTech coatings and to be perfectly honest, my engine compartment is noticeably cooler. I had taken some heat readings prior to removing the old headers and I'm pretty sure the difference is 40-50 degrees (F) cooler. Unfortunately, I didn't record the actual temps at the time, so I'm working from memory, but it is definitely cooler.

 

I just installed a set that Fabspeed had ceramic coated before shipping them out. We're in the process of buttoning everything up and will have a report back with temps next week.

 

Agreed. My coated Fabspeed headers definitely make the engine compartment cooler. Still very hot in there compared to most any other car I've owned but still cooler than it was with stock headers.

 

Can you get a thermal scanner and read the temperatures on the exhaust manifolds (both sides) at 3 points a side after a good run?

I will scan the same points on my stock manifolds for a comparison and post the results here.

Also 1) are you running stock,aftermarket cats or test pipes?
2) what muffler are you running?
3) is your bypass valve installed or replaced by a bypass pipe?
4) are your fabspeed headers ceramic coated inside and out or only outside?
5) what kind (brand ) of ceramic coating and colour did you use?

 

When you say the temperatures were 82 degrees cooler........ what were the actual temperatures and where did you measure the temperatures (the actual manifolds or generally in the engine bay?)
I have asked for thermal scans (actual temperatures) of the actual manifolds in the past with no results.

Hopefully some one can take 10 minutes to scan their manifolds and post some actual temperature results (with conditions attatched....ie type muffler, cats, bypass valve, ceramic coated inside/outside or only outside) at FULL HOT operating temperatures.
I will scan my stock manifolds ( I have tubi muffler with highflow cats and a bypass valve installed) and post them as well......so we will have something to compare to.

 

Love to help but I don't have a thermal scanner. Let me see how expensive they are. If not too bad, I'll pick one up for grins and giggles just to see if my theory is correct or not. As far as the rest of the questions.

- Hyperflow cats
- Tubi Muffler
- Capristo bypass
- Coated inside and out
- Not sure which coating, it's the one that Jeremy recommended.

Net, the only stock component left in the exhaust is the Y pipe and its days are numbered ;-)

 

After a few short emails and calls...Jeremy is sending 3 components for my newly acquired 355: 1. Ceramic coated headers, 2. Sport Cats, and 3. Secondary cat bypass which will all be hooked up to a Tubi exhaust.

Totally professional...very knowledgeable...didn't push...got the parts shipped asap. Units will be installed in the next few weeks. Did this even though all my original components were inspected and deemed in good condition. The headers will eventually fail...why wait.

Would highly recommend you give Jeremy a shout. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Take care and enjoy your ride...
wspi