Cracked 355 Headers

My left header is starting to leak so I ordered the Fabspeed headers. I've always enjoyed upgrading what I can and the warranty and price from Fabspeed seemed to be a good long-term deal.

I'm not mechanically inclined so I don't know the pros/cons of repairing a header with welding. I do know there are guys out there that can pull of some amazing feats and know what they are doing (not me).

I'm not going to knock anyone that wants to do things on the cheap, as long the problem is truly being addressed. I'm thinking about doing my own header install (with assistance from people that know what they are doing) and pulling out my own dash for recovering. The labor savings might buy me a lift for the house and give me the opportunity to learn even more about my car.

If someone wants to try repairing a header, why not? Are you guys saying it's not possible?

Steve

 

Actually ND's remark of getting them fixed/welded for a "couple hundred bucks" was a joke and a mock on another thread about cracked headers. As with most of these remarks they were posted in humor........... most here know a QV style repair, good used ones, new factory or aftermarket is proper....... ........

 

I'm feeling the love, Baby!

 

Bull, read the replies. Time to call this crap out on the table. QV UK has found a way to do a good repair and I compliment them for doing so.

Why stop at headers, how about pistons?

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175923&page=4

Dave

 

I have only begun, the day is young! Someone wants to suggest advise given is improper, by gosh I will lay it out for all to see and we will see what is improper?

Dave

 

That's my whole point, Dave. QV UK is doing a quality repair of 355 exhaust headers. They can be repaired better than new.

And as I pointed out to JetFixer with my bet by putting my money where my mouth is, repaired exhaust headers *can* in some circumstances be better than Ferrari factory new OEM exhaust headers.

It's not a bet that he's going to take, of course, as he's already posting weasel words about using aftermarket headers, but really, that concedes the whole issue.

 

Great post Dave! You'd have my car for the major if I were anywhere near CO...

I don't think anyone seriously would have Midas try to reweld these things - the pics I've seen of failed headers just don't have much of anything to weld onto. Even the spots that don't have holes are very thin and could fail later. I'm not sure how the UK guys do it, but I think it wouldn't make any sense when you compare their cost + shipping to new Fabspeeds in the group buy.

 

The Fabspeeds are a good option. As for repairs, one good trick is to use the cracked headers as a de facto jig, cutting out one entire bad section and then either resleeving over that section and welding in the sleeve over the remnants, or else welding in an entirely new pipe section.

When so doing, simply bump up the grade of material. Poof! You've then got repaired headers that are better than new for the price of a few welds and sections of tubing.

 

I believe the UK guys replace the defective header tubes with a better(300 series) stainless steel. The advantage is the heat shield is retained. The crap material Ferrari specifies is eliminated.
The FabSpeed headers appear to be top quality. I will be interested to hear if any problems due to excess heat from the unshielded headers. If not, they are my choice when the times inevitably comes!

 

Ya know..I just threw out a 355 header yesterday that was burned through. I wish I could go dig it out of the trash, but the metal guy came in about 20 minutes ago and took it away. I would have posted any pictures you wanted, just to show how impossable it would be to weld these things up with any hopes they would last any longer then a week.

ya know what..I was gonna make a big post about this, but why bother. David, its up to you. I hate to bail on ya, but I've got 4 Ferrari's here, that need to go today...

 

Were these posts really being taken seriously??? I thought they were too funny to be serious ...................... I wish the high emotions would tone down a bit..... its Friday..... !!!

Replacing a bad section of tubing is not a bad fix..... some race headers are made entirely from sections. If the welds are sound, seal properly and the inside seams are sanded smooth what is the problem??

 

Good Lord, Man! You don't just weld over holes! It's no wonder that some people think exhaust headers can't be repaired!


You weld in entire new pipe sections, using the broken headers as your jig.

 

I guess that's me in the photo .........You know what, I won't take the bet...I'm outta room anyway.

I enjoy my aftermarket stuff, that's all.. I'm not into cobble repair jobs and that is why I won't have things welded, if your welds are so good where have you been for the last several years, seems to me people were dying to have good headers..I would think you could have made quite a bit of money..Again, you are taking it way too serious....

Maybe they are great welds/headers....Post some pics of repaired ones...I'd seriously like to see how it's done.....


Have fun with Dave, your gonna have your hands full.....
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Hmmmm .... seems like this could get interesting....may call my broker and check the current price on popcorn futures...

Mike in Kuwait

 

+1 ..............LOL.............. ..................
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You absolutely cannot "sleeve" the tubes. So Poof! to you, bad idea. Have ever actually done the process you are suggesting?
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..............looks like someone put an M80 in that tube......

 

Some you can, some you can't. But your picture looks like it came from someone who cut out a section and then welded in a replacement bend (which is what I was pointing out in the first place).


355 exhaust headers are being professionaly repaired, by the way. QV in London does them, and the repaired versions won't crack like the OEM Ferrari exhaust headers.

 

You absolutely cannot sleeve any of the tubes on a 355. They collapse upon themselves and crack. Sleeving, and leaving that crap in there will obstruct the flow terribly.

The picture is FROM QV London off a friend of mine's exhaust manifolds. I know about QV, I have them on my car, installed by myself and some friends.

 

Then you should know that QV London does quality repairs on 355 exhaust headers. Cutting out sections and welding in new tubing, especially when superior materials are used, is not only inexpensive, but often the result is better than the original.

Entire race exhausts are used from piecing together such exhaust sections, one weld at a time.

And hey, if you don't want to just put a reinforcing sleeve over an OEM section, then no problem. Just cut out the weak area and weld in new tubing using higher quality materials.

Such repaired exhaust headers will outperform Ferrari OEM 355 exhaust headers, most assuredly, and for far less money.

Likewise, aftermarket exhaust headers can be a good way to go.

I'm surprised that such facts are even controversial. What the heck is being argued here?!

 

Exactly.

 

+1 ....... !

 

What is controversial is you are telling people that you can sleeve them, that is NOT going to work. You should be more precise when giving out information, rather than giving out blanket statements. Because of some of your very useful posts, people take your word for the gospel, and you could be very well leading them down the wrong road. That is my problem, and why I will often point these errors out in your posts...I am trying to save the neophyte that happens across these threads trying to fix his 355.

Perhaps you should stick to the 348 threads?

 

Then you are doing well by helping people. Perhaps we simply disagree with what can or can't be sleeved, but I'm fine with deferring to you and your firsthand 355 experience. Lets just correct my above and go with your thoughts that 355 exhaust headers can't be sleeved at all...


...so long as you likewise agree that 355 exhaust headers can be repaired with whole new sections of tubing by cutting out the problem sections of pipe first from the OEM exhaust headers (ala QV London for 355 repairs and countless race shops do to race cars).

 

Mr Doubt, I am using them, what more endorsement do you want?