Pros and cons of R&R perfectly good F355 headers. | FerrariChat
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Pros and cons of R&R perfectly good F355 headers.

Discussion in '348/355' started by jm3, Feb 25, 2007.

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  1. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #1 jm3, Feb 25, 2007
    Pros and cons of R&R perfectly good F355 headers, or whatever you call them in Britain /Australia / New Zealand.

    I know a few guys have aftermarket headers, and I am not necessarily a believer. I have 5K miles on new Ferrari exhaust manifolds, but I have the car so disassembled that now is the time to consider removing them, pulling off the blankies, jet hot coating and reinstall. I am aware that the alternator gets hot but a small-block Chevy starter shield will fix that right up.

    So, from those of you who have installed aftermarket headers: Was it worth it?
    Those of y'all who have taken the whole thing apart and reinstalled without blankies: was it worth it?

    I am installing 3 inch metallic cats by the way, so no issues there.

    Thanks in advance, Jay M
     
  2. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

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    #2 gothspeed, Feb 25, 2007
    Pics?? :)
     
  3. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    Dec 7, 2003
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    #3 Ricambi America, Feb 25, 2007
    Pros: never worry again.

    Cons: worry about cracked manifold. worry about burnt valves. worry about all sorts of downstream and upstream problems.
     
  4. Llenroc

    Llenroc F1 Veteran
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    #4 Llenroc, Feb 25, 2007
    Before there were any aftermarket headers available in the US I needed to replace the right hand unit on my car. I bought a new one from Ferrari, before I installed it I removed the shielding on the new one and the old one(leftside) and had them both ceramic coated. It has been 10,000 miles and 3 years later they are doing fine no cracks no holes or deformation of the tubes. The shielding contributes alot to the distruction of the low quality material they are made from. I insulated the alt. and the brake lines that are below the headers. One thing a person should NEVER do today, if you need new headers, is to replace them with factory headers there are enough quality aftermarket units available. One of our sponsers NAperformance makes a good set. I would say that anyone with a 355 should replace the factory headers now and not later. Hope that helps. Regards, Vern
     
  5. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #5 jm3, Feb 26, 2007
    I will when I get a chance. This project involves 2 100cpi metallic cats, 2.25 in and 3 inch out, into the muffler which has been modified to be 3 inch inlets.

    Additionally, I have the parts and will probably install new upper cats and DUAL bypass valves, 2 inch, from a 550 instead of the single 2 1/2 inch that is stock.

    I am also replacing all of the "hose clamped onto a tube" connections for the drysump venting that leak everywhere with AN fittings onto hardline.

    I am also further lightening the stock clutch, I'm not sure how because I have already skimmed it on the lathe. And some new CV joints. um i also wrinkle painted the airboxes red.

    Jay M
     
  6. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
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    #6 chaa, Feb 26, 2007
    Should you not be lightening the fly wheel as opposed to skimming the clutch plate/cover? Surely messing about milling standard clutches is not a good thing. Were are you taking the material from dude?
    Its an age old technique
    that if ya want the engine to spin up quicker, one lightens the flywheel is it not? As well as having the option of a lighter and stronger after market clutch plate and cover to complement the flywheel.
     
  7. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #7 jm3, Feb 26, 2007
    I meant lightening the whole clutch assembly. A little bit off the peripehery of the pressure plate, a little off the working clutch face, a little off of everything.

    I really havent done much but clean up excess material, I haven't cut into any meat yet.

    JM
     
  8. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

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    #8 gothspeed, Feb 26, 2007
    Sounds like you have some good ideas. When this house remodel stops sucking up my "disposable" income. I will be doing some refinements under the lid myself. Would like to see some pics of your results when you are done!! :D :cool:
     

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