Fabspeed header install - 360

I got them from underneath with combination of ratcheting and open end wrenches. Lots of wd-40 and be patient. It is a slow go and it may take more than one shot at it.

Install of FS headers is much easier so use that (and beer) as motivation. Good luck!


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All from below. 1/4 inch ratchet with extension is what worked.

 

if it's any solace, when my FS headers were installed on my 360 spider by a private, well equipped shop, the 20+ year veteran mechanic spent well over 2 hrs just on the front bolts... told me had to really improvise to get the bolts on and hoped he NEVER had to install another set....

 

When you convert to FS headers, make sure you install Header Blankets or you will cook your E-brake cables. If you melt them after a spirited drive and then engage the E-brake while the car cools down, you will end up with stuck E-brakes and not be able to move.

 

I used thermal wrap and it didn't help. After the third set of cables (read that as a $6000 expense) I finally broke down and got the Header blankets from FS. Add another $1400 to the $6000 and it was a very expensive lesson. I have a 2002 360 Modena. It gets very hot in the engine compartment even without a spirited drive. BTW, when I say a spirited drive, I did not mean tracking the car. I'm in Colorado and often go on some great mountain roads with the friends.

 

I have used header wrap on my FS headers and they seem to working out fine. Another precaution you could take to protect the e-brake cable is to surround the cable itself with a protective barrier. TechFlex (no affiliation) makes several products that with a simple install can protect the cable and any other cable-like component in your engine bay. Here is a link to the product database of thermal insulating products ... https://www.techflex.com/land_hitemp.asp

Best regards,

Steve

 

I found that using a simple universal socket adapter such as this ....

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... did not provide enough clearance to loosen those bolts.

This is called a flex socket ...

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... less clearance required to get to the bolt head. Sometimes, these flex sockets are also at the end of wrench.

Give that a try.

Steve


Regards,

Steve

 

In addition to all of the above, I also had to use a ratchet wrench (see below). Took a lot of creativity of extensions and ways to reach in. Even my wrench got stuck because of half a mill of clearance and I had to use a metal file to shave a bit of it away to free it from the nut.

The OEM headers were probably designed to be installed with the engine out. Took me 16 hours to get the driver side out on my first attempt.

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does anyone know if the 2 heat shield plates that come with the Fabspeed headers do anything to actually protect the alternator and the AC compressor from the heat of the furtherest forward header?

I don't have Fabspeed headers but since they said the heat shields work with other brand headers, I wanted to see if it would be worthwhile to get.

 

The two heat shields came with the headers and when installed they appear to be correctly positioned to provide some degree of protection

Steve

 

Agree. The shields are a good design.


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for people that didn't buy the headers, is the shield for the AC compressor a better piece than the one that comes stock on the car?

 

Oh yes! The stock shield is a piece of flexible heat shield material. Albeit, I suppose it serves its intended purpose. But the Fabspeed shield is metal. Not sure if inconel alloy or stainless steel, but it is not flexible and the mount they provide is quite a clever design.

Steve

 

Is it really loud?
I've got a non valved Tubi as well and considering headers, but it's pretty loud already.

 

Thanks. What about idle and cruising speeds?

 

HI Its Joe at Fabspeed Motorsport USA
a couple factoids on our Ferrari 360 performance racing headers.

In 1999 the Fabspeed Motorsport team designed, engineered and dyno developed these competition long tube headers for all Ferrari 360 models worldwide. Our team is always looking to achieve more superlative Ferrari sports car sound and reliable power and in certain instances greatly enhance the longevity of V8 Ferrari engines as when headers fail you can get a vacuum leak and its public domain that 355 to 430 have had OEM faulty Ferrari headers that have damaged engines to unsuspecting Ferrari owners.

The Fabspeed performance 360 headers delete the North American Ferrari 360 'emissions precatalytic converters" that are lodged into each header collector. The ROW rest of the world 360 cars did not have this extra restrictive catalytic converter.

Ferrari on the 360 Challenge stradale actually eliminated the primary precatalytic converter. On last FYI all Ferrari 360 have 6 catalytic converters in a series. 1 on each header and 2 in series on the OEM bolt-on catalytic converter pipes Left & right respectively.

I own a 360 spider and we have sold many many sets over the years with no heat issues or complaints. Occasionally we read about heat issues or people concerned about radiant heat so we at Fabspeed responded. While my personal car and many others run polished headers with no issues for many years.

Several years ago we offer 355, 360 and 430 headers with JET HOT 2000 degree ceramic coatings. All of Fabspeed headers also come with stainless steel radiant heat shields for the alternator and A/C pump too versus other clones or knock-offs of our headers. These are value added pieces that work and can work on any header.

For ultimate protection we designed and engineered 1750 degree Thermal blankets that cover the 355 , 360 and 430 headers for extra protection and piece of mind. These also sound insulate any aftermarket header and keep the sympathetic noise resonance down. These are made for Fabspeed by a Military spec supplier.

These Ferrari 360 cars really really wake up with a set of dyno tuned headers with high velocity merge collectors.............these compliment any and all OEM FErrari mufflers and or any aftermarket F360 system.

If you are the Philadelphia area............cruise by Fabspeed Motorsport USA and come take a tour of our 25,000sqft facility and see our design engineering and manufacturing facility and you can drive my 2003 360 spider with equal length competition headers, HJS German sports racing catalytic converters and a free flow rear muffler.

happy Holidays

 

Any CEL issues with the pre_CAT delete?

 

Can you throw in some pics when you post up the sound clips?