Dynomax header help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 10
Dynomax header help
Hey guys, I just got a set of Dynomax Ceramic coated headers from Summit and they came in today. During my lunch break I gave them a quick glance to make sure they arrived in good ocndition.
The first thing I notice was that the flange that mates up to the head was not flat, the weld for each primary tube seems to be on the head side of the flange and each primary tube sticks out of the flange by approx 1/16", are they gonig to leak like that?
Compared to my LG stainless headers for my C5 these seem pretty cheaply made as there is also a gap along the inside of the flange and where one of the primary tube meets the flange that just doesnt look very good.
I will try to get picks up tonight to better show what I'm talking about but any help in the meantiem would be great! Thanks.
The first thing I notice was that the flange that mates up to the head was not flat, the weld for each primary tube seems to be on the head side of the flange and each primary tube sticks out of the flange by approx 1/16", are they gonig to leak like that?
Compared to my LG stainless headers for my C5 these seem pretty cheaply made as there is also a gap along the inside of the flange and where one of the primary tube meets the flange that just doesnt look very good.
I will try to get picks up tonight to better show what I'm talking about but any help in the meantiem would be great! Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I have the same headers on my car (1 5/8 primaries) and I think I remember noticing the condition you are describing. I installed them with the gaskets they supplied and they don't leak at all, at the heads or at the collectors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Actually the weld helps in sealing to the header gaskets. I wouldn't worry about it. Just install the headers with good gaskets. I used Percy's dead soft aluminum gaskets. I also used Stage 8 locking header bolts. Once you install everything tighten the bolts to the correct torque but don't install the locks. Drive around for a few weeks and each week retighten the bolts to torque until they don't tighten anymore. Once your at that point you can install the locks over the bolts. If you install the locks when you first put the headers on you have to remove them everytime you tighten the bolts and thats a real PITA. I've had my Dynomax headers on for at least 4 years and I haven't had any leaks yet. You might want to get the Percy's gaskets for the collectors too. Good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh North Carolina
I had the same inital reaction when I received my Dynomax headers last year. I did have to do a little grinding to get some weld splashes out of the mounting bolt holes. However, they've been great since I got them on the motor. I used the gaskets Dynomax supplied. No leaks for 2K miles now. Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 10
Wow this is a big releif! I thought I was gonig to have to go through th ehassle of finding another set of headers.
Once last question, how nice was the finish of the coating on everyone's headers? I noticed on mine some spots looked kinda fadded and just wondered if that was normal? This was particularly the case on the passenger header on the bend of the most forward primary.
Once last question, how nice was the finish of the coating on everyone's headers? I noticed on mine some spots looked kinda fadded and just wondered if that was normal? This was particularly the case on the passenger header on the bend of the most forward primary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Wow this is a big releif! I thought I was gonig to have to go through th ehassle of finding another set of headers.
Once last question, how nice was the finish of the coating on everyone's headers? I noticed on mine some spots looked kinda fadded and just wondered if that was normal? This was particularly the case on the passenger header on the bend of the most forward primary.
Once last question, how nice was the finish of the coating on everyone's headers? I noticed on mine some spots looked kinda fadded and just wondered if that was normal? This was particularly the case on the passenger header on the bend of the most forward primary.
Over time it fades to a silvery gray color but in the years that I've had them on I haven't seen any rust nor has the finish chipped off anywhere.The only issue I had when installing mine was a little interference from the clutch cross shaft. You have to remove this shaft when installing them on a stick shift car because the shaft goes in between the tubes. On mine I had to put a slight dimple in one of the tubes to get the clearance I needed. This may be because the body has settled on the mounts or it might just be the assembly of my car. In any case it was an easy job to do with a wooden dowel and hammer and the finish didn't chip off or rust over time.
