Header Recommendations

Contact Daniel at Ricambi. I just went through this last month and I went with rebuilt headers from QV London--Daniel is now carrying their headers that use the factory heat shields.

 

Yes Daniel has the QV makeover OEMs. They will be much better than OEM simpley because the tubes are better SS. I myself am going with Tubi headers. Whatever you get make sure yours are insulated. There are many buying aftermarket pipes that are not insulated, with no testing or research behind them. Many are having them coated by various companies as well as making sheilds to protect various parts on the engine from direct heat from the unshielded headers. This is all good.....for now but I truly believe that those headers will lead to more problems further down the road. There are many saying that the heat gun readings are lower on the coated headers...that is because the coating is deflecting the lazer and is not giving a true reading.

I say go for proper insulated headers which leaves you 3 choices:
1) replace them with original OEM headers.....expensive and the same problem will result eventually.
2) QV london rebuild OEM headers.......Recambi carries them. Call Daniel
3) Tubi..tested and true. Improved HP and sound but hard to find and will run around $6,000

A 4th choice will be coming our way one day from Dave Helms who is working on new headers that will be insulated.

 

Do you have evidence that there is an increase in bhp?

I've been trying to get info re performance improvemnt for the 348 and they can't supply any figures.

 

I have the QV London rebuilt units on my 98 spider. Have had them for about three years now with no further problems. I wish Ricambi had had them when I got mine - the shipping charges from England were ridiculous.

I do agree that you should make sure your replacements are insulated. Even the insulated ones tend to cook the CV boots pretty regularly. I'm sure non-insulated would be a disaster.

 

I have the Fabspeeds and no problems----Do a quick search here--there is tons of info on different headers for the 355....

 

In actuality, the laser is merely to help you aim the instrument at the heat source and is not involved in the measurement process. The instrument is measuring infrared wavelengths (i.e., radiant heat) emitted from the object of interest. So long as it is used correctly and remembering to take into account effects from adjacent heat sources, the better hand-held devices are quite accurate.

 

285- what did you do to insulate/heat shield for your fabspeed headers??

 

Bobby -

Most people with disagree with me as to the quality of Fabspeed's headers but I thought you should know. I don't mean to make the decision any more difficult than it already is, but I've actually had issues with my 2.7 fabspeed headers. I keep getting holes that develop along the welds. The car goes back to the shop quite a bit to get tack welded. I think most will say that they are good quality and they probably are, but my experience has been different.

Good Luck!

 

Ive heard negative things about the fabspeed quality as well. Problem is that many who have problems of any kind dont want to come on here and tell about it.

 

I have heard from some very good F-mechanics that the coated headers will not give an accurate reading.

 

No, just talked to someonw at tubi and they made sense. But even if there is no power difference, the quality and the fact that they are insulated(which Ferrari did for some reason, even tho it cost them more...hmm) is a very good thing and the sound is supposed to be better. And a lifetime guarantee. I will know in a month or so.

 

+1

I also have the QV rebuilds. Only about 1800 miles so far but everything is good.

 

Try these guys. Heard good things about them.
They supply to Ferrari of Quebec & Lambo of Toronto.

http://www.xclusiveauto.ca/360.html

 

I have heard the same thing as well. Not from rumor, but from those who are personally familar with the product.

 

+1, had mine for about 3+ years as well. That or get Tubi...that would be it for me.

 

I have Fab-speed on my '95, had them coated inside and out made heat shield for the alt. 1 year and over 6k miles with NO problems...

 

+1 on the Fabspeeds, mine fit perfect and have had zero problems (just over 1 yr so far and a few thousand miles). Also had mine ceramic coated inside and out and they still look gorgeous

 

I wouldn't be so sure about people not wanting to talk about problems on a forum, typically for any issue (OEM or aftermarket) people run here first to post it ASAP. What you normally don't hear much about are the greater numbers of happy customers...

 

+1 on coated Fabspeeds here, too.

 

I have heard from actual mechanics who have delt with fabspeed and said they were crap and would never buy them. I myself would never install any headers without the insulation and shielding on them. Ferrari did it for a reason and the reason wasnt to throw away money. If I thought naked or coated headers would not damage my engine or anything under the hood in the long run, then I surely would get some and they would be from the guy in post#14 if his price was lower or the ones Daytona auto does in Toronto. I have personaly seen their headers and they blow fabspeed away.They are 4into2into1. But then they are more expensive. We also have to remember that not everyone that owns a Ferrari even posts on F-chat. Its easy for someone to spend $2500 on fabspeeds as opposed to spending $6000 on Tubi.

 

I agree, fully insulated headers are the best for reducing heat in the engine bay and I don't think anybody would dispute that. Despite what you may have heard, I've heard quite the opposite - experienced Ferrari mechanics who said the Fabspeed were excellent quality. I really don't know what you have against Fabspeed since as far as I can tell you've never touched a pair. That link up in post #14 doesn't seem to work.

I won't claim Fabspeed is the best, but for owners looking for a solid, lifetime warranty aftermarket solution I'll recommend them all day. They have a very solid reputation with Porshce's where they got started. Try this link, it works:

www.fabspeed.com

Anyway as with any non-insulated aftermarket headers they should be ceramic coated inside and out, and also add extra heat shields for the alternator (and I did shields for the motor mounts also). Some pics for this thread...headers new and after a few thousand miles
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Like I said and others on here. There are problems with the fabspeed. Mesoscale above said he is having problems with the welds over and over. If the welds are bad on one then its only a matter of time before many of the others have problems. 355dreamer has also heard of problems and there was another poster on here a few months ago that had problems. When you here that many problems......you stay away period. Anyway the link in post #14 works and you will find them to be very good quality as I believe they used to be associated with stebro long ago. To me, wether or not the fabspeeds are good or not means nothing because I will only put on insulated headers such as Tubi or OEM redone by QV london. The fact that many are installing "naked" headers and having to shield so many items on the engine tells you that the heat is very high. Higher than Ferrari wanted it to be. This increase in heat over the years will cause everything in the engine compartment to fade crack and warp. The life span of all the boots on all the connections will be greatly reduced. Just imagine what will happen to the plastics IE the plenums. And lets not forget all of the vacume lines that already crack....now that process will only be accelerated. I will spring for the insulated headers any day and if it comes down to money then QV. Remember that the best headers are 4 into 2 into 1. Fabspeed are 4 into 1 and that helps keep the price down. Dave Helms is one of the most knowledgable mechanics on these cavalinos and he is working on many improvements to the 355 including insulated headers. Finding someone to insulate these babies is not easy and thats the main reason many aftermarket companies wont do it.

PS your headers look great...no doubt I would take that look over insulated headers any day but unfortunatly these cars were not designed for them.

 

The most heat resistant coating (but unfortunately most unattractive) is this.

http://www.swaintech.com/store.asp?pid=10969

 

Yup. I like the way they look. I have it on my headers and y pipe