355 tapping noise

Sounds like it could be a cracked header. Mine just went a few months ago... started off with a ticking/tapping sound, then eventually it went from cracked to gaping hole and sounded like a tractor.

-R

 

Check the exhaust manifolds 99% sure that's it.

 

Another vote for manifolds/ headers

 

Ditto on the above.

 

I am in the same boat. What's your choice for flavor?

 

lol..mine just started doing it a few days ago as well ! Maybe its contagious ?

But yeah Im bringin it into Eugenio and he's already told me thats the most likely culprit..

What are we talking here ? ~$3k ?

J

 

Factory headers are $2.5k/ea so they come out to around $5,000 retail and they are prone to potentially cracking again. I've had a call from a customer that has the new part # header (bought it in 2004)and after a year it still cracked.

NAPerformance headers are $3,299.00, we have sold near 100 sets and we have not had one set crack yet. They are covered with a lifetime warranty in case something does ever happen. Many members on here are running our manifolds. They are affordable, increase 17rwhp, improve sound, and make the car run smoother. These are testimonials that have been proven by our customers on this forum. Currently our headers take 3-6 weeks to get based on demand. We're starting to slow down so currently it's a 4 week wait.

Either way I offer many solutions and choices, give me a call at 405-410-8149 or email Kevin@NAPerformance for more information.

Regards,
Kevin

 

Headers can often be repaired also.

It's the labor of uninstalling/reinstalling that can suck.
I've had header leaks fixed while still on the car. Have to be very careful of the fuel lines, electrical system, etc.

 

You are obviously not familiar with the 355 header failure problems. Complete refabbing of several tubes is almost always required. But then due to the poor quality the other tubes are circling the drain.

Junk part from flange to collector.

 

Would agree, heard nothing but great things about the NAperformance headers.

 

I replaced mine with the QV London rebuilt headers.

At a nominal cost of $1,999 USD per PAIR.

It is like a soft pee pee.....You can't beat it

 

Very few people are running the Tubi headers. I know Robin on here is running a set on his car but other then that I don't know of anybody else. From what I hear he is happy with them. In 2006 there are plenty of choices for header replacement.

-QV London repairs
-NAPerformance
-Tubi
- Fiorano (Not very impressed with these, especially with their pricetag)
- There is a company called metalcraft of metalworks or something along the lines, they charge around $6k+ a set if I recall correctly.
- Nick Forza's manifolds, these aren't out yet but Nick usually has some outstanding products, the price is fair and the headers look nice.

Regards,
Kevin

 

NAPerformance headers

1st pic with black ceramic coating


2nd pic silver coating, got this pic of eugenio's site. I think the silver coating looks best.

Dynograph showing horsepower improvements and more pictures uncoated can be found here.

http://store.yahoo.com/nonturbo/naf3he.html

Regards,
Kevin
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Ditto. I replaced mine with those from QV London - better than stock with thicker wall tubing. Do a search for QV London to find all the info.

 

Ditto the ditto.

Also, QV London puts the original heat shields back on. It keeps the car looking stock, and keeps the heat off of your alternator.

 

Just put the Tubi headers on mine with Tubi exhaust. Sounds about the same minus a few dB... also comes with heatshields, which is good considering the alternator sits about an inch from the tubing.

-R

 

What did the Tubi Headers run you ?
I agree that Heatshields are a Must !

 

I know some of those coatings are very good heat barriers but have you ever done a side by side comparison with OE for heat radiation?

Under hood heat is a real problem on these cars and I have to agree that if they do not run as cool they need insulators.

 

I know that a lot of people are happy with the NAP headers but it still concerns me that they are not wrapped like Tubi or OEM. Even though they can be Z coated and shielding can be added around the alternator and fuel areas, is it worth the risk applying bandaids to an $80K car?

 

What do you consider a bandaid? The factory headers are junk we have been replacing them since 1995 with no end in sight. The new ones are not a fix, they are still junk and still being replaced.

If there is a quality replacement that lasts and does the job, I do not call that a band aid. And if it makes more power and is less expensive I call that a win win, not a bandaid.

Also there are many 355's around that are simply not $80k cars and it gets harder to justify putting $7K (with labor) worth of headers in a $50K car when you know damnwell it is temporary. And believe me when that next set of junk headers goes south the replacements will be a lot more than $7k if they are available at all.

 

There were some posts prior that suggested that the exhaust manifold failure was increased by the factory heat shielding. It in effect kept the heat in too effectively.

I discussed this with a local ferrari mechanic and he suggested to me that my exhaust manifolds would probably last longer if I removed the head shielding and added localized heat shielding in areas that needed it (ie. the alternater).

Has anyone done this and had any success (or failure)?

 

Letting exhaust heat out at the expense of every other component in the engine compartment is a very bad idea, even if it does work.

 

I have the NAperformance headers (silver coated) and they are awesome! Easy to install and performance is great. Highly recommended!
gordon