355 Exhaust Header source | FerrariChat

355 Exhaust Header source

Discussion in '348/355' started by KTR, Nov 14, 2005.

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  1. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    #1 KTR, Nov 14, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I just received today a brand new set of 355 exhaust headers from Metalcraft Industires in Danbury, CT and they are beautiful! I have a picture below. They were purchased for a clients car and will be sent out for coating tommorrow! Scott at Metalcraft told me that they are made from 321 Stainless Steel and have a slightly thicker wall thickness than OEM headers. They will last much longer than the factory parts! I ordered these without the air injection ports which are only used during cold start but you can get them both ways. As soon as they return I will install them and put the car on our dyno to see how well they do there.
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  2. cmparrenzo

    cmparrenzo F1 Rookie

    Mar 3, 2002
    2,686
    Kansas
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    Chris Parr
    You better wrap those headers or have them jet-coated, the heat they create without heat shields will cause the alternator to fail and has been linked to several engine fires. I am surprised they would sell you headers without heat shields for street use.

    If you are installing these in a client's car, time to read your insurance policy!

    Tubi's with shields are the only way to go, my advice, return them get your customer's money back before you go through the headache of installing them and all of the problems they will cause you and your client.
     
  3. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
    Full Name:
    Ed
    do these have equal length piping? what type of welding method was used? price?
     
  4. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
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    Ed
    #4 edmo7, Nov 14, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  5. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
    Full Name:
    Ed
    anyone have pics of Tubi 355 manifolds? Any comments on the different designs of the bends on each manifolds?
     
  6. GordonF355

    GordonF355 Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2005
    1,017
    Cincinnati, Ohio
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    Gordon
    from my experience, NAperformance has the best deal going on manifolds. Check their website for more info - I just ordered a new set there for my soon to arrive 355 spider! I checked everywhere and they are substantially cheaper and offer the heat protective coating.
    gordon
     
  7. oneFerrari

    oneFerrari Rookie

    Nov 14, 2005
    12
    nice photos folks.. makes me thinking to change mine out.
     
  8. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    Chris, thanks for the dramatics! If you had read my comments I mentioned that the headers were going out to be coated today. In no way did I suggest the headers were going in yet!
     
  9. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    I chose the Metalcraft because they are exact copies in tube length and construction. If you look at flanges the other types pictured have their own design. They are tig welded and back gasesd. Other companies use 304 Stainless and these are from 321 which is more expensive and tougher than 304. It is in my opinion a superior product.
     
  10. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
    Full Name:
    Ed
    How much do these Metalcraft headers cost? and are they made for both 2.7 and 5.2 versions of the 355?
     
  11. fmaderi

    fmaderi Formula Junior

    May 8, 2005
    254
    clearwater Fla/NY
    Full Name:
    frank maderi
    do they have a site? neat looking part nice to see them without the coating.forza frank
     
  12. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    The website is www.metalcraftindustriesltd.com and we were charged $6k for the pair. I have purchased from them before and have had no problems with their products.
     
  13. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2004
    4,540
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    Kevin
    Looks like a nice product! Haven't heard anything from the company but compare $6k when I sell them at 1/2 the price. You say 321SS is superior but you do know that NAPerformance offers these headers in material of your choice for additional cost. We could have done 321SS for less than $4k! The extra $2k could go towards that Capristo exhaust or GruppeM intake. Or even the next service.

    For a little over $6k I'd make you titanium headers LOL!

    Regardless there headers look nice and I'm sure they perform great but if they want to compete in this industry. They need to lower their price!

    Regards,
    Kevin
     
  14. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
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    Ed
    Anyone know if the method of the piping bends in the manifold will affect the sound of the exhaust system? Higher pitched, deeper rumble, etc?
     
  15. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    Do the NAPerformance header flanges transition from round tube to oval as on the factory pieces. Ferrari/ANSA uses an investment casting which incorporates this feature. The Metalcraft headers have flanges which also do this and are CNC machined from billet SS. Just trying to compare apples to apples.
     
  16. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
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    Ed
    what does the transition from round tubes to oval do for the headers? more power? different sound?
     
  17. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    The cylinder head exhaust port is oval and your exhaust tubing is round. At some point you must transition from one shpe to the other. If you look closely you will see that the Metalcraft flanges also have a shoulder which permits the weld closest to the head to be somewhat further from the head than the others pictured. This insures better longevity.
     
  18. LennyZeutzius

    LennyZeutzius Karting
    BANNED

    Dec 21, 2004
    211
    Palmdale, CA
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    Lenny
    Man, those Fiorance Performance headers look rough. Very rough.
    Looks like some backyard work there.

    IMHO
    L.Z.
     
  19. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
     
  20. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    Jun 9, 2004
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    Kevin
    The flanges are cut with an oval port and the tube itself is transitioned from oval to round.

    I'm not saying the Metalcraft headers are bad headers. They look like great headers. When I made my headers I wanted to have the most competetive priced on the market while offering something that was still made in the U.S, had research, development, and testing before it was offered to the public, and a lifetime warranty. I did exactly that and was very happy with the end result as were the customers minus one in CA who had a small fitting problem on a 2.7 version but that was resolved.

    Not sure what Metalcraft's goal is but I hope they achieve it and best of luck to them!

    Regards,
    Kevin
     
  21. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
    Full Name:
    Ed
    Would anyone like to comment on piping bends from these 2 headers? NAperformance and Metalcraft? Looks like the NAperformance units have their own design on the bends, but the Metalcraft units have factory style bends. What are the advantages/drawbacks to each design?
     
  22. KTR

    KTR Guest

    Jun 17, 2005
    38
    I believe that the fellow from NAPerformance did a good job reaching his goal which was to make headers to sell in a certain price range. He is reasonably priced. His primary tubes slip fit into his "tri-y" collector pipes and are held in place by springs.
    The Metalcraft units are all one piece, as are the Ferrari items, and are by nature much more time consuming to make. Both will get the job done nicely it is just a matter of preference for the clients or buyers of these two products.
    Once we get the Metalcraft pieces back we will be able to post dyno results and compare them to stock items.
     
  23. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    #23 RossoCorsaItaly, Nov 16, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm looking forward to seeing the dyno results. I'm just curious what type of dyno will you be using and does the F355 have any modifications?

    Also here's a picture of the stock header next to one of ours in case anyone is interested in what the stock unit looks like.
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  24. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    Interesting they are still cladding them as they did on mine.....is the intent to keep the heat IN the assembly, as it was in the 'early years'?
     
  25. edmo7

    edmo7 Formula Junior

    Jul 8, 2004
    280
    Irvine, CA
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    Ed
    I would say the bends on the NAperformance units are certainly more elegant looking.
     

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