Cheap Headers and H-pipe?

[skyhazzard]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-...024QQitemZ370083218215QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

These seem cheap? Anyone using these? Results? Or is this a case of you get what you pay for?

Thanks

 

[kooldawg6]

I've read (somewhere) on here before about these headers. They say they are ok with the import crowd, but why not save longer and spend about 50% more (or a bit more) to get a trusted brand for the Stang I guess if you have a spare $500 now and can afford to replace them if/when they go bad then go for it. Like I read not that long ago... Many people spend double, triple and more on tire/wheel combos(more than once...me included!) than they do on cams and/or exhaust!!!!! For a well trusted long lasting header and mid pipe, I'd save my pennies and spend upwards of $1500 on such...don't want to, but...20K+ miles a year daily driver, I'd hate to replace headers every other year

 

[DarkFireGT]

I can't give an opinion, since I haven't owned them. But check out this thread. Read the whole thing. It's someone asking your very same question. At the time, no one had yet tried them and everyone was going nuts but then a few people tried them and liked the results.

 

[jimbofox]

Just a P and P question for you fellas. Do LT's require a H pipe? Meaning is that the sole purpose of having an H pipe?

 

[NastyStang113]

We have a factory H-Pipe. It's soley for the purpose of scavenging exhaust gases.

 

[jimbofox]

So what's the purpose of the X pipe then? Sorry for what is probably a sophomoric question.

 

[NastyStang113]

Scavenging of exhaust gases.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Both of them help equalize exhaust gases. X pipes are more efficient, but H pipes sound more throaty.

 

[walter]

Coming from the import crowd OBX is pretty much junk for high stress parts that is stuff that isclose to the engine because the welds break apart and the inside pathways are welded dirtier then a landfill which kills your flow and causes the exhaust to overheat.

I had an SS Autochrome exhaust for my 240SX (another OBX like brand) which was actually alright but I had to have the shop cut weld a custom downpipe to make it fit right.

Shop around there are some relatively cheap headers out there even in long tube format for our cars that are manufactured with a lot more care then cheap chinese mass manufacturing.

 

[DarkFireGT]

You're going to get better made stuff in America, definitely. But of those that have purchased the OBX headers, I haven't heard any complaints. A friend has a set that he had ceramic coated that he may sell me.

 

[jimbofox]

So then is going with an X over an H worth it as far as increase in power? I understand that's kinda subjective because it appears you are saying you have to trade some of the throaty sound for a few extra HP. Just curious what you guys think.

 

[DarkFireGT]

If you're NA, the difference between X & H is a few horsepower... like 1-4. Not worth it in my opinion. I have x on my '05 and it sounds like crap. I have just never gotten around to replacing it.

 

[jimbofox]

Having trouble finding a catted H pipe that isn't retardedly expensive. Suggestions? Also, what is the benefit of going aftermarket on the H pipe (with cats). Better sound? Or do you simply have to do it to run LT's?

 

[CRoberts91]

i'm lookin at some pacesetter lt headers right now. the ceramic coated ones are only $399 and the black ones are only $259. Anyone know anything about these? right now i'm runnin a Pypes O/R X and Mid-Muffler system. i heard that obx are ok, but its pretty much you get what you pay for on those supposedly.

 

[bigcat]

pacesetter seems to be a JC Whitney brand. I have not seem very much stuff come from JCW that is of high quality....

 

[NastyStang113]

Pacesetter is actually a very good company ...

 

[walter]

I hear often that the paint / coating cracks and flakes off. I'm not sure about the welds but that's what you get for the price you pay for.

 

[dro]

I cannot stress you this enough. If you do this install yourself its a ******. If you have someone else do the install and pay them, you will pay out the ass...

With that being said, you will only want to do this once. And i can bet you my bottom dollar those cheap headers will leak around the header bolts that bolt onto the motor. My cobra's mac's did that and i played hell getting it fixed.

With all that being said, i love the sound of my cobra i truly do. But i have done this on a sn95, and a '99 cobra and its not fun and its only 1 thing you wanna do once. Just something to think about before you buy cheap knock off parts.

 

[walter]

+1 ^^^^

High quality exhaust systems with OEM fit and finish will inevitably be expensive out of the box. The cheap ones will be just that.. cheap... but only when you buy them. Getting them to fit will usually requires time at a good muffler shop at which point it won't be cheap anymore and you'll be stuck with a hackjob.

Unfortunately I'm speaking from experience on this one.

This time i'm doing it right. I got some good mufflers I liked and I'll be getting a moular x pipe soon that can be taken apart once I'm ready for longtubes. That way I can do the build in stages when I can afford it and on my timeline.

 

[NastyStang113]

Sorry guys ... I've had Pacesetters before and no coating cracking or sealing issues. My buddy has OBX on his F150, he's had them for about a year now, with a lot of abuse. No problems there, either. Than again, you get what you pay for, right? Don't be so closed minded, starting to sound like some Viper owners ...