C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Flowtech headers SUCK!!!!!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 29, 2004 | 11:21 PM
  #1  
oregonsharkman's Avatar
oregonsharkman
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
Default Flowtech headers SUCK!!!!!!

After firing up my new AR Racing motor I have been chasing an exhaust leak that I have not been able to fix!!!!! Come to find out, the brand new ceramic coated Flowtech headers are defective The passenger side header is leaking at the cylinder head flange between the 2 center pipes!! I can now see discoloration from the exhaust gases firing out between the 2 pipes I have just emailed the seller (Headersforless on Ebay) and am waiting for contact. I am not looking forward to disconnecting the clutch and etc......this sucks...................moral of the story...DO NOT BUY CHEAP ANYTHING FOR YOUR VETTE I will keep everyone posted on the result.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2004 | 11:22 PM
  #2  
81 Vette's Avatar
81 Vette
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Vernon British Columbia
St. Jude Donor '05
First C3 General Poster!
Default

common kiddo!! Go with custom mandrel bent 1 5/8th hahaha.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 02:09 AM
  #3  
comp's Avatar
comp
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Default

heat and cool heat and cool....Now re-tighten the bolt's
and did you use Good gasket's???? I have had preblem's with Flow_Tech ..... but i was able to fix......
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
mandm1200's Avatar
mandm1200
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Default

I purchased a the Flowtech ceramic headers from Summit last year. They went on without a problem and I used the gaskets that came with them, no leaks either.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 09:44 AM
  #5  
oregonsharkman's Avatar
oregonsharkman
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
Default

Originally Posted by comp
heat and cool heat and cool....Now re-tighten the bolt's
and did you use Good gasket's???? I have had preblem's with Flow_Tech ..... but i was able to fix......
the problem is not a gasket leak. The headers are actually leaking from the outside surface of the flange at the cylinder head where the pipes are welded, shooting exhaust outward away from the motor. has anyone else experienced this problem???
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 09:59 AM
  #6  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

The gasket has to be leaking! Yes, you must have some poor weld around the primary pipe to flange. but the primary pipe and gasket should seal to the head.

I always use FelPro Blue steel impregnated header gaskets. In the past I have used Permatex high temp red smeared on the header side of the gaskets around each primary. It's not that big of a deal to remove the header bolts and even fill the flange to primary if it has an incomplete weld.

I use ARP header studs. Which makes remove and replace a breeze. because you don't have to fiddle with gasket alignment and tightening down bolts a little each to get the pipes to come down even.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 10:22 AM
  #7  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

Sometimes the flange and welds to the pipes are not perfect and the gasket usually seals any imperfections, if it is a bad weld you could get it welded, or if it is uneven you can put the header on a belt sander, if it a complete piece of crap send them back, who uses those headers any way, you spent alot on the motor do it right don't cut corners now.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 10:22 AM
  #8  
NHvette's Avatar
NHvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Default

A little silicone sealer will do wonders for that problem.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 11:20 AM
  #9  
ram82fire's Avatar
ram82fire
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: spring city pa
Default

For those out there that do NOT check the mounting flanges for straightness prior to installation ,,,,,,,,, ya get leaks !!!!!!!!!!

Geo

PS belt sander or a good file will cure all that
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2004 | 11:34 AM
  #10  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default G-Man

I found a good site. Long range hunting forum. Lot's of big 30 inch barrels and big cases

I saw that your green light was on and I just wanted to test and see if you look at the message thing
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Flowtech headers SUCK!!!!!!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:31 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE