What are the best replacement headers for a 355?

I have spent 5+ hours reading about the issue and still have not come to a conclusion on what is best. It seems like the Tubi ones are decent but hard to find, and expensive. The fabspeed ones look cool, but could destroy the electronics in your engine bay since the pipes are not shielded. Ceramic coating does not seem to help. Has anyone made a heat shield for the fabspeeds that resembles the OEM or the Tubi shield? That seems like it could work.

I checked prices, new OEM headers are $9k from Ricambi...

 

QV in London, UK will repair your original headers, probably your best bet.

 

I've been happy w/ my Stebros - oh boy do they sound better than stock!!

 

About the weld quality and leaks... I think i am leaning towards the QV ones, taking the OEM headers, cutting out the crappy pipes and adding in stronger tubing and wrapping in OEM heat shields sounds like the best option.

 

+1

 

Anyone know the turnaround time? They don't say anything about the service on their web site.

 

I just had my headers rebuilt by QV. Shipped back within a week. I'm in Minnesota but having engine out done in Chicago. Ferrari dealer thought the quality(rebuild) was very good.
Found QV very friendly to deal with. I had the same concerns about heat shielding and for the price, seemed like the logical choice. Guess I'll find out when I get the car back in a week or so.

 

I would highly recommend aftermarket Tubi headers, but if you are looking for a set of OEM 5.7 headers, I have a set for sale. First $500 takes the set.

 

no probs with ceramic coated Fabspeed here 1 yr. later; informal survey with a temp gun in the engine bay after stopping didn't show any real difference. Heat shield for the alternator is needed, I also shielded the motor mounts.

 

I heard they may add high end power at the expense of low end...

 

+1 on the Tubis, had them now for a year and love them, Tubi Headers + Hyperflow cats + Tubi Exhaust, who needs a stereo!

 

That's the dyno plot that was posted, but to me that was secondary. Most important: lifetime warranty, look good, and cost a fraction of OEM. And honestly the 355 revs so fast with timing belts instead of chains, titanium connecting rods, etc. that you blow through the 'low power' part of the rpm band in half a heartbeat. If you're on the track you're keeping rpm's up anyway, well above the slightly 'lower power' region of the Fabspeeds. Either way the good news is there's several header solutions instead of buying new OEM's, take your pic.

 

I have the Fab-speeds on my '95. I've put over 6k on them in under 1 year and have had no problems. I did have them coated inside and out and also made a heat shield for the alt. I just had my car in for oil/fluid change and had them inspected. Mech said they look great and couldn't see any problems...

 

Nice driving Reg, 6k miles in one year! I'm jealous of your year-round nice weather...

 

Thanks Jay... the 6k is just since I had the 30k service done in Aug. I'm on track to put 8k to 10k on her this year... Yes the year round driving weather is a bonus!!!!

 

+2. Also QV London does have exchange units, so you pay a deposit which is returned when they receive your used exhaust manifolds. That or I would seriously consider going with Tubi manifolds if you plan on keeping the car forever.

 

We have installed 3 sets of Tubis in 2 months and every time we pick up the phone they are in stock and shipped the next day. We just recieved another set today.

 

Forget about saying that the Fabspeed will destroy the car's electronics or other components since the headers aren't heat shielded.

WRAP THEM UP!

I've got my Fabspeed headers wrapped in heat shield material. Your mechanic can do it easily. Find the material here.
www.summitracing.com

Just to show you how good the heat shield wrap is. After driving my 355 with spirit, I have opened the engine compartment and actually put my finger on the header. Since the header is wrapped in the heat shield material, my finger actually touches the heat shield wrap. The header is warm to the touch, but it doesn't burn my finger upon touch. Of course, I don't hold it there. But, my finger doesn't roast upon touch. Just goes to show you how effective that heat shield wrap is.

Oh, and I agree with UCONN HUSKY. Fabricate a heat shield for your alternator; beef up the axle boot heat shields, and install heat shields for your motor mounts. Now you'd be all set.

So, any headers can be wrapped -- whether they are Fabspeed or others. Which headers is a personal choice. Obviously I chose Fabspeed.

 

Tubi's are nicely made, and good service from the company. I've had them repaired by a local fabricator for just a few Euro's, had them pressure tested and they are fine, but if i had my way i'd throw every set of 355 manifolds away and replace them with aftermarket. They are truely aweful.

 

Can you post a photo of the heat shield you made?

 

Here is a dyno of the Fabspeed headers on a F355 5.2 injection car. They do sacrifice some mid power but gain a ton up top. I drove the car before and after the Headers and honestly I couldn't feel the slight drop in power in the mid range.

 

Everyone i have spoken to, including Tubi America inn FL is back ordered 6-8 weeks...

 

At the link below are the pictures you have requested. This is my 355 with the Fabspeed headers and all the mentioned heat shielding. Jim McGee did an excellent job.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137790396&postcount=157

 

LINK: http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/exhaust-parts-headers-c-4246_4249.html?class_9=931&my_type_id=8&class_8=927

 

Out of stock 4-8 weeks...