430 Cracked Headers - What to expect with Fabspeed?

Hi all, my '08 Spider turned up with the inevitable cracked header issue. Going forward with install of Fabspeed with blankets as they were available locally for a good price and I want to get this corrected asap so the issue don't compound.

A few questions so I know what to expect:

- Are there any other required (or strongly recommended) upgrades to make alongside the new headers? I've seen people doing new Capistrono hangers for example but unsure if that is driven by need (aka broken) or an advantage (performance, aesthetic, etc). 02 sensors is another area I am unsure.

- Will the new headers bypass the pre cats and therefore result in an emissions fail?

- Is it really a 50/50 if the headers with throw a CEL or not? Anything I can do proactively to prevent that? What do I do reactively if it ends up happening?

Any other tips or advice is welcome, I'm not looking to go big with aftermarket on this car currently (did that previous with Stage 4 tuned cars and laptop fuel-mapping etc) just avoiding any major issues so I can enjoy the heck out of it when the weather gets warm.

Thanks!

 

Certainly not an expert here but I can tell you what I've found over the months of looking through this forum.

1. You will likely throw a code if you switch to aftermarket headers due to elimination of the pre-cat. A few users have had no issues but most have.
2. You can help this out by using O2 extenders like Big Daddy's.
3. They will be much louder than the stock headers. This is sometimes not pleasant depending on the owner's preferences.
4. You will need some type of extra heat shielding such as header blankets or a custom solution with corrugated metals.
5. Most have recommended new studs with the install
6. Adding a more flexible solution to the mount like the Capristo brackets will benefit you as the stock mounts do not really allow any flex at all.

 

Thanks for the fast response. Do you know if items like the 02 extenders and brackets need to be added at the time of header install or if they can be done post? Deciding if I can do the headers sooner and other bits after or wait to do it all at once.

Hoping the new sound is a pro and not a con, will report back.

 

You can probably wait on the brackets. I would do the extenders at the same time though to prevent a CEL and while you have everything apart for easy access.

As for the sounds, I'm sure you can find some comparison videos on youtube to at least gain a frame of reference. Also, be sure to research the headers you wish to choose in the end. I have no experience with any brand, but I know there has been some heated debates on what brands might have issues during installation that quite a few people have posted on with some good feedback. This forum has a lot of valuable information that's worth reading over before just taking my word for it since I'm a relatively new owner myself.

 

You can expect the flanges to be outa whack. Gud luk
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As above check for flat ness, fit full set of new studs and nuts- use ceramic grease on the stud threads ( not copper grease as too hot). Take care removing old studs to be sure you do not snap any in the head.

 

Expect them to be a PITA to deal with ordering and getting these ... AND expect that their sales team have NO idea of what they are selling
How do I know, I just got mine after my nightmare struggles dealing with them for the past 8 weeks

Cheers
Steve

 

Do your research on Fabspeed, plenty of first hand accounts here.

 

We guarantee our flanges and the entirety of our headers. If they were damaged when you removed them from the box, we would be more than happy to send you a new set!

 

Yikes, that sounds problematic! I went with Fabspeed largest because they were available locally for a quicker install.

Have you installed yet? How did that go and do you like the result?

 

Might want to take a straight edge to them as the picture above and let the vendor here know if you have any issues.

 

Steve,

We are very sorry for the delay and subsequent miscommunication with our team and the 3rd party from which you placed your order. As well as the addition of the air-rail plugs, which only further complicated those communications. If there is anything we can do to assist or make things right, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

**** product with **** warranty. Spend more..get a better product. Never again.

 

I put the fabspeed headers and did the high flow cats at the same time on my 360. Sound is crazy good, but fabrication took FOREVER.

I did speak with them yesterday about headers and cats for my 458 and was told their production times have been reduced down to a few weeks.

The wait was horrible but very happy with the end result.

 

No not damaged, just outa farkin wack flanges. We spoke recently and you informed me that they will pull up and seal ok maybe they will maybe they wont i don't know. There's a few guys here that have had the same issue with the flanges and fitted the headers only to have them leak. Not a cheap exercise to change the headers and to go in there and pull them out 2nd time due to them leaking not something i want to do. I want to start with flanges that are flat so i thank you for your offer for me to return the headers back to you so they can be machined flat. Shipping headers at my expense back to USA and then back to Oz $1000 (no thanks) have the headers machined here $300 at my expense. It's a real shame because they are a work of art for now they hang in my garage.
Just a shame there not a 100 %.

 

FIRST ... let me say that I am very impressed and happy that Fabspeed has stepped up and took it on the chin in this thread responding to my comments admitting faults. Guys, PLEASE, as I told your staff, I don't care how long it takes just provide the correct information, we count on you to schedule shops, other parts etc... We completely understand that you guys are absolutely slammed with orders and fab, and I do appreciate the fact that when the brackets finally showed up you put me in the front of the line but the entire process was a struggle because of misinformation and poor communication. Fix this and you fix 95% of your customer issues.

Now, Rocky to answer your question ... right from my exhaust fabricator
"Headers, blankets , new gaskets and new copper lock hardware all worked great and fit perfect "

Perfect fit, and yes I would order from Fabspeed again

Cheers
Steve

 

Ouch

 

I have an 06 F430 that had cracked manifolds. I reached out to several aftermarket company’s and cost was not an issue. I decided on fabspeed and have no regrets. The early models did not have an issue with CEL but yours likely will. Fabspeed sends mini cats when you order to fix the issue but you can buy other brands. In regard to performance and sound, you will notice little upgrade in performance. The sound is amazing, it is a little louder but you’ll love it. To address the sound issue buy a Forza valve controller. With closed valves it’s still quite. The quality of fabspeed is great, every company has issues but they’re product is amazing. Buy the blankets, it’s worth it. I have no other modifications on my car, this should give you a hood reference.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Put the Ferrari sport exhaust on and no more problems with expansion since they are mounted with rubber bushings and have plenty of play

 

Thanks for the info and vote of confidence! Did you look into an ECU reflash? I'm going to go that route as well to maximize performance, eliminate the CEL issues (haven't had them yet), etc

 

Hi all, quick Day 1 update - I installed the Fabspeed headers with blankets over the weekend, so far so good! Love the tone and bit of extra power, no issues on install.

 

Thanks Steve, that was my experience as well, all good with no issues minus some strong burn-off smells I was pre-warned about as the blankets got hot for the first time.

 

This is a perfectly timed thread for me. My wife's 07 430 is at FCI in Greensboro now for annual service and cracked header was diagnosed. (The original factory headers were replaced years ago at about 4,000 miles). Car now has 21,000, so we got about 17k miles of no failure driving I hope. I had Capristo brackets installed right after we got the car about 10 years ago. It also has Fabspeed tips. FCI recommended Fabspeed headers and I agreed. Fabspeed honored their F-Chat members' price for me as did FCI. It is extremely disappointing for all of us to have this persistent problem. Has there ever been a class action lawsuit or similar formal complaint from the probably thousands of owners who have this same significant design/factory fab flaw? Infuriating.

 

I recently replaced the headers on my 2004 360 with Fabspeed plus their blankets. Fit was perfect and the blankets look good and do what they are supposed to do. Sound is very slightly greater.

 

No class action suits that I've heard of although I'm sure others that purchased their 430s closer to the build date might know better, I heard there was a period for the factory warranty work to be done but anything outside of that window seems to be on the current owner. Sounds like Capistro brackets, a valve controller and some new tips may be on the horizon once the ECU refresh is done.