do the headers now or wait?

We have sold hundreds of sets, many of which went on to street cars. Yes, most of the time these cars are driven well below their capability in the low RPMs - under normal driving conditions when high performance is NOT a variable/necessary. When you want power, you rev up to the high RPMs - and that is where our headers provide the most power. There is no need for performance gains if you are only staying in the very bottom of the RPM range to daily drive.

 

A picture and/or measurement of those "new" heat shields you fabricated would be really nice.

 

Other than being 4-2-1 design, are tubis oem spec or is it designed differently for added performance?

 

Tubi's are 4-2-1 design. If I remember correctly, ~same dimensions as factory, but I would have to check my notes if you want the exact tubing size. They are made with 304 s/s. Not only are they made with better stainless, they have shielding to protect the engine components from radiant heat. That is why I believe they come highly regarded. Not to many of the aftermarket header companies use an OEM type of shield.

 

For $7,000 , they should be 321 ss not 304. Definitely not the gold standard imho. Nice shields though. Fabspeed makes nice shield/wraps as well.

 

I agree, that is why I had Stainless Headers build mine in 321 s/s for significantly less.

 

Daniel, has JPExhausts started rebuilding the header completely? On their site they have a picture of a set which looked very nice. The quality of their work on the retubing looks very nice as well.


JP Exhausts Gallery | Jp Exhausts Ltd

 

What's the issue with the 355 that causes so many header failures? Bad headers or bad engine design? Why wasn't this such an issue when I had a 360?

 

I was thinking about this but I was going to ask differently.

Is anyone of the opinion that a properly tuned F355, with correct fuel mixture / trims and no intake or exhaust leaks, no spark plug wire crosstalk/misfire, and properly functioning exhaust bypass valve will more than likely still end up with damaged factory headers (and/or toasted cats for that matter)?

If yes, why?

If no, why?

I am not challenging anyone's comments, opinions or experiences. I am a newbie myself.

I'm trying to understand what the "real" issue is.

 

So is a solution to delete the main cats?

 

I think some of the issues like you stated are thin tubing, 1.2mm thick. Also 409 s/s was used. Probably not the best material for this application. Having the primary tubes closely intertwining amongst each other doesn't help with heat dissipation either. Most American car headers the tubes do not snake so closely around one another, except in a GT40. Add insulation around the header, and to top it off, encase the header in a s/s clamshell. Then if the engine is running subpar that can add another component. Then add restrictive cats.

I don't know when Ferrari knew about this, but I have read that quite a few of these headers were replaced under warranty, with the same header that just failed. However, when the warranty runs out....Ferrari did do an update to these headers. When this was done, I don't know, but Brian Crall stated it. I believe the gauge might have been increased. From 1.2 mm to ____. If anyone has the information please fill in the blank. I had contacted one vendor and two dealers about the supposedly new oem, but never got any information on it. If the people who are selling the merchandise can't answer the questions, it leaves it up to the owners to figure it out for themselves. I also don't know if 409 s/s was still used or was it updated. If anyone has information on that, please post it.

I believe header problems continued with the 360.

But it is not only the headers, the sticky parts saga continued. It is bad enough this happens on a 120K+ car. Imagine it happening on a 360, then a 430. Great quality control.

 

do you have photos of the finished product? How much is this option and how much are your new ones?

 

Not necessarily.

 

I am as I type this having both manifolds rebuilt by JP Exhausts. I have asked Jim to take photos of the manifolds when the clam has been removed even if they are not damaged just for my records. I am also replacing my cats with 200 cell sport cats as the left cat had worn itself away and was loose so needed replacing anyway. Do you think I should also remove the cats from the by pass Y pipe ?

 

Db, is JP Exhausts rebuilding your whole manifold, including the collectors or are they just replacing the primary tubes. They are known for rebuilding the primary tubes, but I saw a picture of a completely rebuilt manifold, that looked very nice. I have asked this question before but never got an answer. I had contacted them about doing this for me, they seemed interested, but the cost of shipping was going to add a fair amount so I had them done in the US.

JP Exhausts Gallery | Jp Exhausts Ltd

 

as seen earlier in this post.. Ricambi uses JP Exhausts to rebuild the OEM 355 headers.
you send your used/failed headers to Ricambi and they ship you back an already rebuilt set. you dont actually get yours back.

Ricambi keeps rebuilt sets in stock.. so when they get your set, they ship out to JP, and then JP ships back to Ricambi, at which point Ricambi keeps them in stock for next buyer.

so when you purchase a set from Ricambi, you may be getting the headers from 1,2,3 sets prior..

JP rebuilds the entire tubing, but keeps the collectors and reinstalls the heat shields etc.. not a patch up job like QV london..

in my opinion, this is the most cost effective solution.

 

Yes the cats are one of the main reasons the headers melt.
There are two types of Y pipes used by Ferrari and they look the same outside.
One of them can be gutted and the other cannot without damaging the pipe.
You are right about not using open headers. Many will realize their mistake farther down the road. I went with Tubi.
The 355 is an amazing machine isn't it?

 

Hi Jimmym
I have opted for the manifold repair which is all the primary's as well as flanges etc as per their webpage.

 

Whatever you do, do not get the Fabspeed headers in chrome. Mine are 5 years old and full of surface rust. The look awful.