355 headers

If a 355 has tubi headers, does the problem finally go away? At least for a while?

When does the valve guide issue usually show up?

Cheers...

 

Yes, Tubi headers will solve the issue and do not crack.

Valve guide issue varies, I've never experienced the problem on my personal F355 since I have a 99 but it seems most people see it around 15kish miles, I'll let somebody more experience with valve guides answer though.

Regards,

Kevin

 

+1.

I know of no aftermarket headers that have been tagged with the cracking problem.

As for valve guides, most/all 1999's seem to be in the clear (though keep in mind that the way an Italian factory works when it's getting close to time for some vino is that whatever parts are handy are going to be the ones installed).

It's also worth remembering that the valve guide issue hasn't been nailed down. We don't really know for *certain* if there is some *cause* to the valve guide failures (e.g. cam timing set wrong, cracked headers) or if the problem is in the materials/processes used to make them (e.g. a bad batch/alloy mixture/impurities/heat).

 

my 95 has 23k on the clock with no valve issues.

 

My mechanic has personally done 3 99 355's with valve guide problems.. BRONZE from the factory..

 

get out! I hadn't heard this before. I guess we're all in the same boat - nah-nah

 

So a set of tubi headers runs about $8K + labour and a valve guide job...?

 

I paid $4k for my tub headers

 

I find this hard to believe. I have a local Ferrari tech hear in Los Gatos, he has been the 355 specialist since they came out.
He told me he has never seen a 99 have the problem. He also told me that the valve issue is not near as bad as the internet would have you believe.

Who knows for sure, maybe most 99's don't have enough miles on them to develop the problem.
I have a 99 with 12k on it, I will find out as I drive the car.

 

I have a 95 with 23k miles as well with no valve guides issue.

 

My 95 355B had 38K on when I sold it, never had any of the 355 issues! Tracked a number of times as well.

 

Does anyone know the longevity of the OEM headers/manifolds?

 

15k to 19k miles. The passenger side will usually go first. Driver's side a couple thousand later. Remember this is only a general guideline. Some may go less, occaisionally much longer.

 

On my 98 355 the headers were replaced twice before I got the car with 29K and a fresh major. About 7or 8 K later the passenger side started leaking and after a lot of trouble Ferrari gave me a new part but I had the expense of installing it. My car was built in august 97.

 

I thought I would post pics of the header I replaced with 6500 race miles on it. This photo is of the RH unit the LH was fine so it got reused and is still fine today but only because there is no shielding or other heat traps and the tubes are now ceramic coated. My point is if you are going to replace the factory headers on a 355 (100% sure you will) do not use factory parts again unless you are going to remove the shielding and leave it off(not recommended unless you take other steps too) and ceramic coat the header. The factory never fixed the problem. Use Tubi, NAperformance or have them rebuilt with better quality tubing. Regards, Vern
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Here is a photo of the LH original header that has been ceramic coated and now has 20000 miles on it. this pic is an older one but the header looks the same today. But remember there are no heat traps on this header. regards, Vern
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