355 Aftermarket Header Manufacturers?

Found out this afternoon that my 98 Euro 355 spider has cracked the passenger side exhaust header. I don't want to put factory ones back on as I intend to keep the car and don't think they ever fixed the problem.

I know Tubi makes a set, but they are quite expensive (even for Tubi) now because of the Euro exchange, and they are backordered. I have e-mailed QV London about theirs, but I think they just strengthen factory units which I'm concerned about.

Does anyone else know of other aftermarket header manufacturers for the 355? I've checked with the other normal suspects (Capristo, Mille Miglia, Stebro) and none seem to exist.

Also, since my car is a Euro, can anyone tell me DEFINITIVELY (no guessing) whether the headers are different than US cars? So far I've gotten 3 'same' and 1 'different' in my research with various dealers. My car was originally delivered to Italy. It does have cats.

 

Hate to hear about this happening to your car. Is it not possible to repair your current header? I hope this never happens to me but if it does I'll start talking with header makers in the states for recomendations on repair shops.

ken

 

Hi there,

I had to have both sides done within a 3 month period.

1)Do not replace with factory parts b/c you´ll end up with the same problem again.
2) If you can afford a tubistyle, thats the best exhaust there is, it should be standard anyway
3) get them repaired if possible. I had mine done by modena motorsport in Germany and never had a proble since. Real Quality work. check their website its www.modena-motorsport.de.
4) if your header is cracked (which is due to overheating, mostly) have your valves checked b/c they tend to burn through not too long after :-(

Good luck,
D.

 

Are you still under 7 year warranty? For numerous reasons, it would be very worth your while to have OEM replacements, even if you elect to get new, different headers. Just keep the replacement OEM set in case something awful happens to the non-OEM set of your choice...
Searching yields some info, for instance:
Click & check this thread out
and this one
and this one...

 

Why do you think the QV ones are bad? They replace the internal pipes with much thick pipes and the cold-start air intakes are squared off for strength. I think the design is well thought out and a good improvement on standard thin and too-curvy design. Lots of Euro cars now have these replacements judging by my friends and the guys I hang out with and no reported problems so far... (Is it 6 or 7 yrs now?).

Failing that, just get the stock one re-welded yourself!!

 

Ade - Do you know if the QV London ones are new inside, or do they just thicken the stock headers? I was confused since they offer a core trade in, which would lead me to believe they're modifying a stock unit rather than totally rebuilding it. I've e-mailed them for clarification but haven't heard back yet.

Also, Wax, word in the archives is that the exhaust warranty is only four years (not seven), but it wouldn't apply to me anyway as my car is a Euro and I'm sure FNA would have no interest in assisting me.

 

I emailed QV myself over a week ago and still haven't heard back. I may just call them...

-Michael

 

Has anyone ever checked these guys out?
http://www.stainless-exhaust.com

or...
http://www.quicksilverexhausts.com

 

Has everyone done his/her homework and registered headers/manifolds experience here ?
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=253052&postcount=6

Tks.

 

Shark, what is that link for? I clicked on it and it didn't make a whole lot of sense....

 

Quick silver has a dedicated Ferrari site but not much on line for their 355 products: http://www.racecar.co.uk/quicksilverferrari/ I did fire off an email to ask about their exhaust manifold exchange....

The stainless site just plain sucks...they have a Ferrari link with some images but none of them are labeled and I'm not quite sure which Ferrari models they have exhausts for.....very lame site.

-Michael

 

Here is an update from the Stainless Folks:
Dear Mr Calvo
Ferrari F355 Manifold

Thanks for your email.

We are working to be able to offer this exchange service on the 355 headers to US customers very soon. We have agreed to operate this through Evans Automotive in Ohio

Please contact them directly:

Evans Automotive,
3440 Morse Rd
Cols
OH 43231
USA
Tel: 614 471 7535
Email: [email protected]

All our exhaust systems are manufactured entirely from type 304 austenitic stainless steel and come with our Twenty Five Year Guarantee - here since 1973.

Best regards
Paul Goddard

Then the reply from Evans:

HI MICHAEL, CURRENTLY WE DO NOT HAVE ANY 355 MANIFOLDS IN STOCK FOR EXCHANGE BUT QUICK SILVER IS REMANUFACTURING SETS THAT WE SEND TO THEM IN 1.5 MM THICK 304 SOLID STAINLESS STEEL, THIS REPLACES ALL THE HEADER TUBING. NORMAL TURNAROUND TIME IS 2 WEEKS ONCE WE RECEIVE YOUR SET DEPENDING ON CUSTOMS.

ALSO AS LONG AS THE OUTER SHIELDS HAVE NOT BEEN DAMAGED THEN THEY CAN BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. IF THE OUTER SHIELDS ARE MELTED THEN WE RECOMMEND THE MANIFOLDS BE JET HOT COATED AFTER THEY ARE FINISHED. COST IS 1999.00 + SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS CHARGES.

ANY QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW……GEORGE OR TIM



PS: PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE IN STOCK THE QUICK SILVER STAINLESS STEEL PERFORMANCE MUFFLER FOR THE 355 AT $ 1950.00



www.evansauto.com

 

I got a message this morning from Stainless as well. They said they only repair factory headers at the moment, at a cost of 540 British Pounds + VAT. Don't know what that comes out to - I'm guessing around a grand since they don't tell you what the VAT is. But I don't want mine repaired - I want them replaced since I intend to keep the car.

 

If you call up QV London it is better to call them around 5pm England time. Mike is the guy to talk to. They are very friendly, and helpful. A top notch group.

I once talked to Mike about what they do with the headers. If I remember correct, they take the old headers and put in new thicker gage tubing on the inside. The problem with the stock ones is that the thickness of the pipes is too thin. When they are bent, it makes the outside part of the curve even thinner. Then the heat created by the hot exhaust burns through the header. So QV and many others use a thicker gage pipe to fix this problem. So you can spend a few thousand and get the Tubi headers, or spend a few hundred and get the ones from QV, that will do the job just as well. Also I think that a mandrel bend is used in the construction of the headers.

 

The VAT (Value Added Tax) is 17%. But that doesn't apply to sales outside of the country.

 

From what I can gather Stainless and QV London are doing about the same thing to 355 Headers. They removed all the factory tubing and replace it with thicker better quality stainless.

I am only aware of one company that makes replacement headers (other than OEM) and that is TUBI

-Michael

 

Well if you wanna spend a few thousand go ahead. Your money would be better spent getting the ones from QV in my opinion.

 

Going to give QV a call in the morning and get a price from them.

-Michael

 

I had a replacement header/manifold from QV recently.Works a treat.I know they are having a lot of problems because some of you guys stateside have'nt sent back the old ones while they have mailed you theirs! They replace everything internally, the only thing original are the flanges,very well made.

 

Simon,

Were your heat shields intact? Did they reuse them?

-Michael

 

Well, i'm not quite up technically,but if the heatshield is the thin metal welded over the internal pipes then i'm pretty sure they are new but you'll have to ask them. QV say they have never had one fail yet and they have prob one of the best reputations in the UK.

 

Awesome to hear...

I will call them in the am.

-Michael

 

Awesome to hear...

I will call them in the am.

-Michael

 

Another place to look into is Larini. They are in the UK as well, but if you are in the US, I can help you. Check out their site at www.larinisystems.com or contact me through my profile.

Brent