Topspeed headers

I have a 2007 430 and made the switch from the stock manifolds to Top Speed headers back in May. The price was too good to pass up. Also added Fabspeed blankets.

No struggles or modifications needed. Although I will add that since I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area, I picked up my headers at Too Speed’s shop - and I had to have them bring out 4 different sets until I found a set that were completely flat/smooth at the mounting points.

I did need to add mini cats to stop the CELs/codes. So far, things have been good.

 

I recently bought the 360 headers and (in hindsight, mistakenly) had them shipped to jet hot coating. They arrived yesterday and the middle flanges were 1/8-3/16" off from the outside ones. I had heard from another f-chatter that they had a similar experience and top speed paid to have them decked and assured them this would not happen again. I called explaining the issue and was told I have to install them first. I don't know if you have changed headers before, but it is an absolute migraine. It is obvious they will not fit. Due to the air rail being so close to the flange they cannot be bent. I don't even think it is possible to torque the headers to spec without pulling the engine (if you did, please tell us how). I asked if I was on my own and the guy on the phone said yes. I made a post about it on Instagram simply stating what happened and the page messaged me angrily accusing me of slander. Eventually they offered to swap sets with me if I ship them back (which I cant do after paying for that coating). He never offered to pay for decking or reimburse me anything. Jet hot on the other hand said they felt horrible and will recoat them with a heavy discount despite not being at fault. I asked top speed yesterday to pay for the machine work and the jet hot's discounted price should the coating be heavily damaged and I was left on read. I've heard of other people having success with this product, and aside from the flanges being off, it looks nice, but I will not be buying anything else from them again. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

There used to be quality control. You are now the tester. You get scrap and can then exchange it and get another part that may also be scrap. The customer normally pays the costs for the return. A very frustrating shopping experience.

 

They reached out to me again and agreed to pay for the machining.

 

It's beyond me. Perhaps the jig is off.

 

The essential problem is that many Chinese shops have ZERO quality control. A jig might be manufactured to exacting specs but the uneducated worker uses a sledge hammer to remove parts from it. After a while, the jig becomes so bent as to be unusable but they keep using it.

I bought a press from a well regarded US company that touts their products are "made in the USA". The press was so bad that not one single weld was properly placed. The entire press was off square in every possible dimension. It was obvious that some idiot had used a sledge to pound the pieces into submission, then welded and nicely powder coated. No where in their sales information did they say the press was actually a 100% Chinese import.

I complained to the manufacturer and at first, they blew me off and refused to offer a refund or replacement. Then, I found the email of the CEO in a promotional piece in an industry website, sent him pictures, a video and the conversations with the company staff. The next day, I received a complete refund and an apology from the VP of sales. I still have the piece of junk. I'd wheel it out to the curb for recycling but I'm afraid some idiot would try to use it and probably kill themselves when it exploded under load. It's a testament to total incompetence.

When you buy something made in China, YOU are the quality control agent. You do the final inspection and YOU are left holding the bag when the product either fails or doesn't work at all.

 

4 years ago. No issues what so ever.

 

Well getting these headers decked is $120... not a big deal. Just plan to do this if you go w top speed headers.

 

I picked up a slightly used set of Topspeed headers that I installed on my 430 last year. They had already been freshly decked but not installed when I bought them, so I didn't face any issues with the install.

 

Also noticed they provide thick gaskets w top speed headers prob due to the tolerance issue.

no way I’d run the stock metal ex gaskets w undecked top speed headers. Nothing worse than leaky header sounds.

 

Decking is to machine them flat. Think using a mill at a fixed height and mill all of the surfaces so they are flush.

 

Buy with Amex, if they are defective you are protected. Simple as that.

 

Torque is generally used to describe tightening the bolts down, not machining the surface of the flange. If they aren't too far out tightening them down will work fine, particularly with ticker gaskets.

 

torquing them is an installation item you torque the header stud to tighten them to spec... but if your header flange is not flat you really need to have them deck it or machine it flat.. but I suspect you use good install guys so they probably know ..

 

Installed mine a few months back. No issues.

 

I have had mine for 3 or 4 years....no issues. Had them coated