355 Header rebuild...321 stainless, put back in clamshell | FerrariChat

355 Header rebuild...321 stainless, put back in clamshell

Discussion in '348/355' started by Shootfighter65, Nov 23, 2018.

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  1. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    I've been doing some work with an exhaust engineering company out of Detroit, I had them take a look at a failed set of headers.
    They cut them open (very neatly) and they can rebuild these using 321 stainless, repack and put back in the clam shells. I think I'm going to have the set rebuilt and post some pics of the process, should be interesting to see.
     
    ernie and Zbaroom like this.
  2. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,113
    Michigan
    Go for it, interested to see what they charge to do this.
     
  3. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    The thought came to me because I had to replace mine and wasn't happy with any available options. I ended up buying a rebuilt set from England and the quality was crap...hence the desire to see it done properly
     
  4. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Karting

    Dec 3, 2014
    237
    Woodside, CA
    I've had this done on my headers recently at my former mechanic. Shell was cut off, sections were cut out then replaced with thicker stainless sections, then repacked. The weld jobs are not the cleanest I've seen, but it does fix the leaky header issue. Saved about $1.5k per side over replacing with Fabspeeds.

    New mechanic really hates them and has been advocating that I replace them with Tubi's with the heat shield as he's seen them be the most reliable headers on the market for the F355 versus the rebuilt ones that he's predicting will fail at weld joints relatively soon. It's all hypothetical.

    Anyway, it can be done. You do lose some sound with the thicker steel, but a proper fabricator should be able to fix your issue.
     
  5. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,288
    socal
    That could be a factoty looking rebuild for californians. In the people's republic no aftermarket headers are allowed.
     
  6. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    5,942
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    I thought you sold your car Randy glad we didnt get rid of you that easy
     
  7. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    Is that "ever" or after 25 years old are they more free?
     
  8. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,288
    socal
    No. Cali haunts you until death. <1974 you are OK to do what your want. Worse still is the OBD2 controls are 1st gen protocol so many stations will not smog them increasing your hassle.
     
  9. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    I did...looking to get another. I also want to be involved in the community and building these parts may be a way to do that..
     
  10. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    I can build you bulletproof set in the clam shell if you're interested
     
  11. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    What was your cost? The company I'm working with builds prototype exhaust parts for the big three and others....the quality will be superb
     
  12. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    I can get them built if you know anyone that needs them...
     
  13. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Karting

    Dec 3, 2014
    237
    Woodside, CA
    Came out to 2k rebuild cost per side, including disassembly and reassembly on the vehicle.
     
  14. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    In 2.5 years my F355 will be "antique" and doesn't even need inspection, smogged,... here in Texas.
     
  15. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,479
    Canada
    You could get custom headers made in inconel for the price Tubi charges.
     
    SoCal1 likes this.
  16. Ferrari Fanatic

    Ferrari Fanatic Formula 3

    Apr 2, 2003
    1,317
    SoCal
    OP sorry for off topic.

    Mitch you will love this, a real kick I the nuts. I have lived in Cali for 46 years and Austin for a short stint. Here goes.

    Cali clearly doesn’t want old cars in the state. There were some old muscle cars that got exemptions back in the day. 355’s no way and not anytime in the future

    1997 era cars require a visual, a two speed roller test with the sniffer ( super strict tolerance on HC’s, CO, and nox. Almost same tolerance as new cars).

    Plus requires a plug into the OBII port to check for sensor readiness. Cali used to allow for 2 sensors to not be in a ready state , now they only allow 1 sensor to be not ready. For new cars all sensors must be in ready state to pass.

    Worst part of owning a new, and expensive car or any pick truck is: Reg is based on value so new cars average around $400 plus a year. Get this, PU Trucks are considered commercial. So figure around $400 plus a year for a truck.

    Owning 5 cars including my 355, an f250, an MB, a BMW and a commuter is a real treat living in Cali.

    As I recall TX is around $70 a year right ? and TX went to one sticker ?
     
  17. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    5,942
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    I think alberta is 30
     
  18. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Looking forward to seeing the pics of the progress.
     
  19. GerryD

    GerryD Formula 3

    May 5, 2010
    2,436
    North of TO
    Full Name:
    Guido
    Here in Ontario...our new Conservative govt has gotten rid of this dumbarse testing as of April 2019.
     
    jqpd99 likes this.
  20. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    This thread is useless with out pics.
     
  21. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    You guys said "clamshell" LOL
     
  22. RCKSTR

    RCKSTR Karting

    Better than trying to get it back in an arby's roast beef sandwich?
     
  23. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 18, 2008
    5,942
    Indio Ca/ Alberta
    Full Name:
    Grant
    I quit going t arbys after they dropped the super roast beef with secret sauce
     

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