Stainless headers/side pipes C3
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
While I bought my OBX headers on eBay, and saved $500.00 over Hookers or others, its important to know that "you get what you pay for". 
These headers fit well, and went in without much trouble at all
, but in less than 8 months, and 300 miles they have turned a shade of golden rust. To remove this I hope the stuff I got from the "Chemical Guys" works. But its clear to me that I will have to remove them, send them to be ceramic coated, then re-install them, probably costing me in the neighborhood of $400.00. So what did I save in the end? Nothing. Do they sound great? Yes they do, did they look great? for about 2 months. My advice to anyone who buys these headers and side pipes? Have the header ceramic coated before you put them in. OR by a different set.
These headers fit well, and went in without much trouble at all, but in less than 8 months, and 300 miles they have turned a shade of golden rust. To remove this I hope the stuff I got from the "Chemical Guys" works. But its clear to me that I will have to remove them, send them to be ceramic coated, then re-install them, probably costing me in the neighborhood of $400.00. So what did I save in the end? Nothing. Do they sound great? Yes they do, did they look great? for about 2 months. My advice to anyone who buys these headers and side pipes? Have the header ceramic coated before you put them in. OR by a different set.
Actually, I do have a question for you. Are yours showing rust from header flange on down to the 4" collector? Mine only show rust right where the primaries come out from under the car, twist and to the 4" collector.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
FWIW, my Hooker ss headers turned a light golden colour but that is caused from heat and can apparently be buffed back to new. No signs of any rust as it should be.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
From: carpentersville ill.
Pipes
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I agree, but are you're 100% sure your pipes are American made? Ironic, they don't mention this anywhere on their site, they just state the grade of stainless which is different from BBC side mount headers/pipes to SBC side mount headers/pipes.
Last edited by bluegtp; Mar 10, 2014 at 10:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 982
Likes: 203
From: West Hartford CT
Reply
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
From: carpentersville ill.
Pipes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
I've been saving and wasn't too far away from ordering a new set of stahl's. Oh well, guess I'll just have to fix what I've got.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Depending on how long it takes for you to get into production, I would be interested if you can price them close to what the Hookers cost.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I'm currently looking for another set of sidepipes to buy and leaning towards a set of Doug's headers or maybe Hookers. Unless if there's something that looks better??? I'm looking at stainless, and ceramic coated options.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
From: carpentersville ill.
Pipes
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Here is proof that XS-Power side pipes are Chinese. Just because a vendor repackages an item and slaps an American flag decal on it does not make it America. For months, we all read the same thing. Buy American. Don't but Chinese junk. Buy from this supporting vendor. Actual gushing. Many from people who don't even own side pipes.
Here is a link to the "contact us" address for XS-Power:
http://www.xs-power.com/contact.html
Here is a link to the "contact us" address for SSChrome (Same address) AKA XS-Power, AKA Superpowers, AKA Josh:
http://ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1496
Here is a link specifying SSChrome (detail of actual shipments) ships from China:
http://panjiva.com/Ssautochrome-Inc/2130847
Here is a link to the "contact us" address for XS-Power:
http://www.xs-power.com/contact.html
Here is a link to the "contact us" address for SSChrome (Same address) AKA XS-Power, AKA Superpowers, AKA Josh:
http://ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1496
Here is a link specifying SSChrome (detail of actual shipments) ships from China:
http://panjiva.com/Ssautochrome-Inc/2130847
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 361
Likes: 6
From: Jamestown Ohio
I think if and when I buy a new set, I may go with Dougs Headers, for the cost. I have a set of chrome Hooker side mounts on there now, been on there since 1979!, so theres plenty of rust, I welded a patch over one rust hole but there are more deep in the collector area where I can't reach it. So ceramic coated they will be.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
From: carpentersville ill.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 523
From: home
I looked at with their website and their prices look way to cheap to be 304 let alone 321 stainless. For instance, GN headers for $800 made from 321? ATR headers were $1100 made from 304. I'd be very suspicious of their quality.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,053
Likes: 166
From: Milford Michigan
321 is a more expensive grade of SS than 304. 321 is usually referred to as "aircraft grade" stainless.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Their website doesn't say where they are made. One person from one of the forums said the box his XSPower sidepipes came in said they were made in the Republic of China. Any proof on where they are made?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 673
I am going with a steel header side pipe, they are cheaper and if for some reason there are fitting issues, they are easy to modify to then powder coat to your color , for me on a Daytona yellow car headers will be a powder coated black with chrome side pipes. right now leaning toward dougs side pipes.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 7
From: carpentersville ill.
Pipes
/attach][atta/attach]they are not made in china!!! If they wore made in china they wood not fit!!! When i got mine they was no china sh#t on the box.