430 Scuderia 16M headers/warranty

Hello everyone, my 16M has leaking,warped headers.I was told by my local independent Ferrari mechanic that replacement should be covered by the 8-yr/80k emissions warranty.I sent car to a Ferrari dealership,and upon further investigation by them I was told that the warranty didn't apply because there is a pre-catalytic converter in the headers in standard 430s,but they are not located in the headers of 430 Scuderias.Therefore by technicality the replacements are not covered by the emissions warranty.Does anyone know whether this is Ferrari policy,or do I have any basis for coverage?The cost of replacement is steep( @$17+k).Thanks!
Hhaley

 

Boy, what a bunch of cheapskates and crooks! IMO, the spirit of the emissions warranty is about emissions, not just catalytic converters. That's why it's called an emissions warranty, not a catalytic converter warranty!

So if your headers leak untreated exhaust into the environment (and passenger compartment) the defect should logically qualify under an emissions warranty. The warranty is on the emissions performance of the exhaust system in your car.

OTOH, based what I have read on Fchat about the crappy quality of Ferrari exhaust headers in the F430s, it may be worth looking at aftermarket units instead. They probably perform and sound better than the OEM unit... and may even cost less.

 

It is NOT covered under any Ferrari warranty. You do not want to replace them anyway. The correct fix (as performed by my local dealer) is to remove the factory exhaust manifolds, and have the flanges reground flat. Replace all the studs (they can get weakened and stretched from the warping) then use new gaskets and reinstall. So far, they have not had a car come back from this procedure.

If you get new factory replacements, you are only resetting the clock until they warp again....as you are simply installing new old stock, Ferrari never updated the part.

 

BTW, my dealer performs this repair for around $2k per side.

 

Curious why you say not to replace them?

 

That explanation makes no sense. I thought the emissions warranty is to protect the environment. You are leaking untreated exhaust - seems like that is specifically what it is suppose to protect against.

For a lot less than 17k, you could get some nice aftermarket headers and coat them as well.
Although I'm curious why f355spider is recommending against this...

 

The Federal Government determines what is covered by the 8/80 not the Manufacturer. 8/80 only pertains to catalytic converters and the engine control module. Anything beyond that is something the manufacturer has decided to do on their own. California has a completely different standard with a 7/70 coverage.

 

Thanks to all for your comments.Unfortunately,I will have to have them replaced in order to have the repair warranteed and to keep the value of the 16M up to snuff.
Hhaley

 

The materials costs for NASCAR quality headers (real merge collectors) is only about $2500 using 321 Stainless which will never give you that problem again. But then you need to get a fabricator to actually build them.

 

There might be some second hand ones on the market after last weekend's race ; )
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$17k for headers? Trippin. Id get Capristo headers and blankets and call it a day. How many miles on your 16m ?

 

get aftermarket ones, much better and cheaper.

 

OK, here's a PDF file that explains the EPA warranties. Looks like the headers (manifold covers) would only fall in under the 2-yr/24k coverage.

I believe Fabspeed headers are $4.5k a pair and are likely much better performers. If you are concerned about using OEM parts, $2k to grind each side is pricey but still a lot cheaper than buying new ones, which will only fail again as f355spider noted.
View attachment 420f09048.pdf

 

And it will positively impact her value/performance. Adhering to stock/original in these cases will seriously discourage a savvy buyer and you will be having the same issue or more again within a period of time.

 

I'll sell you my Scud headers for alot less than $17k .

 

I am recommending against new factory exhaust manifolds, because they will likely do the same thing again, the flanges will warp, causing an exhaust leak (ticking sound on start up) and possible breaking of header studs. If you regrind them flange flat, that appears to be a more permanent fix.

Windsock recently fixed mine.

 

Gotcha - thanks!